A speargun for 1800 Euros must be really something! So, is the new monocoque Canova R1 by Cetma Composites with Vela system worth such money? Well, we still need to go through a deep testing that we will publish soon, but we can definitely reply already that, with the technical contents and the top level materials used, this speargun is somehow the Jewel of the market and, for those who can afford it, a must have. There is also a very deep technical study of geometries and volumes aimed at balancing loads, obtaining a perfectly neutral setup in the water, maximizing flexural rigidity, and minimizing recoil. Let’s look at the amazing contents of the Cetma Canova R1.
Monocoque Barrel
A real monocoque
As for all the Cetma Composites spearguns, the key elements are the amazing quality and extremely high level of technology and materials of a “real monocoque” speargun. The completely innovative manufacturing process, discovered and studied by CETMA COMPOSITES, is called Zero-Defects Technology. It allows for the creation of a totally monolithic carbon fiber piece with zero voids. This process thus maximizes the performance of the structure, making it as rigid as possible and unalterable over time.
The speargun is in fact designed and manufactured with seamless layers of high module (high stiffness) carbon fiber. Additionally, the perceived quality, which in the case of carbon fiber often matches the real one, is outstanding. As already underlined in the presentation of the beautiful Cetma Arrow 95 H, the Italian Company points out that they do not apply any layer of transparent paint on the carbon fiber, a solution often used to hide defects of such material. So, the surface of the barrel is impregnated carbon fiber with an amazingly uniform and smooth result. Finally, the entire body of the Canova R1 has an unmatchable rigidity, capable of withstanding very high loads with minimal deformation.
Dimensions of the Cetma Canova R1 monocoque
The nominal length of the barrel is 95 cm, but more precisely the total length of the Canova R1 by Cetma Composites is 107 cm from the chest support to the tip of the muzzle. The maximum width is 9.6 cm, just in front of the trigger, and it reduces itself on a linear way to around 5 cm at the muzzle. The vertical thickness of the barrel goes from 1.8 cm to only maximum 2.3 cm, meaning a very low area of the lateral section.
Internal structure
The internal structure is made of multifunctional polymeric material with very low density and structural properties used for aerospace applications. It consists of a closed-cell polymer core with vibration damping capabilities. Such solution determines a very light structure, still not empty. This means that in case of any puncture of the barrel, be it due to a strong collision, or made by the spearo acting incorrectly on the speargun, no water will flood the structure.
Hosting the Vela propulsion system
The lower part of the monocoque barrel, just in front of the trigger, is flat with a thinner area where the elastic bands are positioned. The area where the reel is connected plus a central nerve between the elastic bands is a couple of millimeters thicker. This permits to perfectly host the 3 pairs, and up to 4, of rubber bands of the Vela system. These are appropriately spaced from the barrel to facilitate loading and eliminate any form of friction or vibration on the barrel during the shot. The perfect parallel and flat positioning of up two 4 pairs of rubber bands determines the reduction to the minimum of the area of the lateral section generated by the barrel and the elastic bands, to improve the lateral swing.
Propulsion system
Vela with up to 4 pairs of rubber bands
The Canova R1 by Cetma Composites utilizes what is the most powerful propulsion system for sling spearguns, the Vela. Such system puts together extreme power with zero recoil and amazing precision. Three pairs or four pairs of Magnum Plus rubbers by Cetma Composites are positioned under the barrel. Based on the type of shaft and the diameter of the chosen elastic, the penetration capacity and power can be modified. The recommended stretch factor for the elastics is maximum 310%, and can be adjusted according to individual needs. Such stretch factor is not extreme and makes the rubber bands last in time.
In particular, the central one is 19.5 mm, while the other two pairs are made of 16.5 mm diameter bands, for a shot which is declared to reach more than 5 meters of utile of distance. Moreover, another pair of 16.5 mm rubber bands, the fourth, can be added and used with an 8.5 mm shaft, guaranteeing up to 7 meters range of the shot. The Cetma Composites Canova R1 with its Vela system guarantees best performance only with Cetma Magnum Plus bands.
Connection of the rubber bands to the barrel
What generally scares spearos in the inverted and Vela system spearguns is the complexity of the loading. The Canova R1 by Cetma Composites has been designed to make the loading phase extremely simple and, we could say, tidy, and this is perceivable even before the test in the water, simply looking at the design of this Jewel.
Just in front of the hilt of the speargun three curved 316L steel elements are mounted thanks to a pair of Allen screws each. The wishbone of each pair of rubber bands can be easily hooked to each element to load the speargun. In such way the three, or four, pairs of rubber bands are perfectly positioned in place, parallel to each other and at the same exact level to obtain a very narrow figure.
Reel to barrel connection
To additionally improve the ease of loading of the Canova R1 by Cetma Composites, the reel, in our case the V 90, but the same applies to the V 50, has a special connection to the barrel. In fact, a strong C shaped 316L steel mount is on one side the base for the steel elements which represent the connection for the wishbones, on the other side it is the base for the mounting of the reel. The connection is obtained thanks to two screws.
The C shaped steel element generates enough space between the base of the reel and the connections of the wishbones to make it very easy to move the latter all along under the reel and connect them to the curved steel elements.
Muzzle
The very compact and small muzzle, one piece with the barrel, is a clean and neat design with two passing holes for the positioning of the two pulleys made in Derlin. These are mounted on a passing 316L steel axle.
The VELA system developed by CETMA COMPOSITES for the Canova R1 has an innovative stopper that is placed after the pulleys, allowing for greater range and a clear line of sight. Such stopper sees the Dyneema line with knots being blocked by another 316L steel axle.
Two steel elements on the muzzle are used for the passage of the monofilament, in quite an ease solution for the spearo. Such design permits also the good advantage of the barb of the shaft being blocked, with no need of additional rubber O-Rings.
Release mechanism, shaft and settings
The release mechanism is, as for the Arrow 95, the Ermes. For the Canova R1 though the tiny issue of the sharp edges of this high quality release mechanism does not impact in any way as the setting of the monocoque Canova R1 sees the connection of the monofilament to a welded ring in the middle of the shaft. The latter is 5 shark fins solution, the first and second one midway and 3/4 along the shaft to help the loading phase. The last three shark fins permit a tuning of the loading of the wishbone, but for best performance it is the shark fin closest to he release mechanism which should be hooked.
