Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro

I've paddle the hurricane and I do remember liking it, it reminds me of the Tarpon with a bit more efficiency. I do really like the poly boats though for abuse sake. Thermoformed plastic kinda scares me because I don't really know how to repair it well.

Those kaskasi boats look pretty sweet, and closer to what I'm after. I'll have to check those out.

I'd really like to build my own boat. I don't think what I want is necessarily attractive to the largest group of consumers for SOT's, So I don't really expect to ever see a manufacturer produce one.

I keep thinking if I cry loud enough though, maybe somebody will make one.

Thanks for the report Nanook. Yep, crossing over from a SIK to SOT is gonna be hard. The only kayak I know that might come close to what you're looking for is the Hurricane Phoenix 160. And it looks like they may not make it anymore... http://www.hurricaneaquasports.com Although it's a bit wider than you want @ 28" the hull has the most SIK looking lines that I've seen.

I've demo'd one before  ... actually at an Alder Creek event 2 years ago.  Here is what I had to say at the time.

"I paddled the Phoenix 160.  That thing can hold a line, a rudder is almost required, although you could carve a turn (thigh straps would help).  The seat is a placed bit high making it feel somewhat tippy.  Really good secondary stability keeps you from going all the way over.  They didn't have a seat back in the yak and the shape of the seat bothered my back.  A seat back hopefully would help this."

-Allen

Kind of reminds me of the one Perception used to make....forgot the name, but it had the same hull lines.......I do like the look of that hull....

A good company on Oahu.  These are popular with the newbs:

http://www.twogoodkayaks.com/Offshore.html

A good company on Oahu.  These are popular with the newbs:

http://www.twogoodkayaks.com/Offshore.html

Sh*t! with an 18" beam, I'd be better off fishing out of the explorer at 21.5. Looks like fun to paddle, but not so much for fishing. I'd dump that for sure!

And that's about as stable as those things come, too.  Maybe it's time to hit the garage, dude.  This guy seems to be able to travel well on his homemade vessel:

http://www.paddleboard.com/video/view/103

And that's about as stable as those things come, too.  Maybe it's time to hit the garage, dude.  This guy seems to be able to travel well on his homemade vessel:

http://www.paddleboard.com/video/view/103

I've been thinking about it actually. I have a friend in my neighborhood who makes his own paddles and surf & whitewater kayaks with carbon fiber & glass.

It's a time issue though. I will take me 5 years to do that.

Understood, man.  Same setbacks here.

Those kaskasi boats look pretty sweet, and closer to what I'm after. I'll have to check those out.

If I remember correctly they are epoxy/glass or carbon yaks. Strong but you do have to watch out for damage. Also they designed the predecessor to OK's RodPod. They used it mainly for a fish box but it's also used as gear storage.

They're from South Africa and I know there's some shops that import them but can't remember whom.. There is their main dist. in Fla www.venturesport.com

Z

Yeah, like Zee said those Kaskazi boats have a really big following on the east coast, especially down in Florida. Supposedly the Dorado is a great paddler, but I assume these comments all come from guys who have moved up from rotomolded boats to a glass/composite boat or after spending their $3600 and waiting 12-18 months for delivery can't help but say good things or they will look like dopes. That being said, who really knows until you get in the yak and try it.

I'm pretty sure I could order you one. If you are anywhere close to PDX we could make that happen. I think the only reason REI wouldn't do it is that maybe they are back ordered, or they have already produced and sold all that they are planning to make.

Thanks for the offer, but unless you guys take competitors gift cards, I'm out of luck. I spent all my mony buying up REI cards thinking they could order me a Scupper Pro. Should have asked first I guess. They said they don't have an agreement with kayak vendors so special order kayaks. Bummer for me.

Go with the Trident 15 or Tarpon 16.  REI carries both.

So do we, AND we have actually kayaked before.  But if you want to get kayak advice from a shoe salesman, that's up to you!

We just got some hurricane SOT's in at the shop and they too are beastly piggies. Looking at the specs on salkasi or whatever, they are piggy piggies also.

Think I'll just lobb the top deck off the explorer and call it a SOT.