The legendary Ocoee, one of the most renowned solo whitewater canoes of all time, is making a return—this time, crafted by Esquif in T-Formex. Launched at the Paddlesports Trade Coalition Colab industry gathering in Oklahoma City, Esquif’s Ocoee builds upon the legacy of the original design, which has earned a cult following in the open boat community since its inception in the 1990s.
“We’re proud to reintroduce the Ocoee in T-Formex and continue its legacy,” said Esquif president Jacques Chasse, who was accompanied at the September 4-6 event by two Ocoees fresh from their molds.
Designed by the late Frankie Hubbard and originally produced by Dagger, the Ocoee revolutionized whitewater open canoes with its hard chines and flat-bottom hull. In a market that was at the time dominated by softer, rounder designs and shallow-arch hulls, the Ocoee quickly became known for its performance on the slalom circuit. The Ocoee set the standard for front surfing and technical paddling, and was also the first production boat that allowed paddlers to offside tilt and engage outside edge to pivot turn an open canoe. Advanced paddlers cherished its agility, while beginners often found it challenging to master—which is exactly what made the Ocoee a legend.
Since Dagger stopped production of the Ocoee, the design has been picked up by several brands for multiyear stints, mostly notably by Bell Canoe Works for four years and then Nova Craft Canoe. Currently North Star and Echo, among others, offer versions of the Ocoee. However, Esquif saw an opportunity to craft the boat in T-Formex, the brand’s replacement for Royalex, which was the material used in the original Dagger design.
A Legacy Reborn
“The Ocoee was a game changer. And you know, many in the whitewater paddling community and canoeing community are not necessarily 18 years old anymore—they’re nostalgic. It’s a mystical thing with the Ocoee that I believe is worth bringing back to the market,” says Chasse.
Esquif’s Ocoee’s mold is pulled from a never-paddled OG Ocoee. “We took an original boat—we were lucky enough to get our hands on a brand new one, never used or touched the water—so our canoe is an authentic Ocoee,” adds Chasse.
At 40 pounds, the Esquif Ocoee in T-Formex shaves at least seven pounds off the original Dagger design in Royalex, which tipped the scales between 47 to 52 pounds. The Ocoee is now available with wood or vinyl gunwales.
Esquif Ocoee Specs:
- Length: 11’2″
- Width: 29″
- Depth at bow: 16”
- Rocker: 5.5″
- Weight: 40 lbs
- Material: T-Formex
- Capacity: 500 lbs
- MSRP: $2,329 USD
