[YakAtak]

I think this smiley is a pretty good indication of how I feel about this kayak so far. at 28Kg she's considerably heavier than the Espri, but not so much that I have struggled to load or unload her so far, a bit of solid wind may make all the difference though.
I'll attempt to use the format used by previous reviewers.

Speed
I don't know if you could say the over all top speed of this kayak is miles beyond the Espri, but it is certainly easy to gain a good speed and effortless to maintain the speed once underway, and the boat seemed to glide forever in comparison to the Espri.

Stability
I could not fault the Espri in this department, extremely stable in all conditions I tested it under and even when trying to tip the boat I rarely felt it was going to tip over due to the immense secondary stablity. I haven't had opportunity to test the stability of the scupper as yet, but first impressions tell me that she is very stable, a little tippy in the primary stability, but again I haven't felt that I was in danger of going for a swim, the very low seating position has you sitting below water level adding huge stability IMHO.

Layout/Comfort
The scupper console is very long and wide, a feature that doesnt exist on the Espri, provisions are in place for a centre hatch and plenty of flat surfaces for rod holders etc. The huge hatches on these yaks allow for a lot of gear to be stowed below decks if tempted to do overnighters I think you would have no problem at all storing everything you needed. I'm looking forward to testing the capacity in the department soon. d

Customising
The console is a huge bonus for me moving up from the Espri, plenty of room for options here. Good posi for flush mounts behind seat and either side of the yak. Unlike the dive version of the scupper pro, the hatches allows access to below decks allowing for nut and bolt fasteners on all add ons, particularly with the addition of the center hatch.

Manouverability
I really don't see much difference in this department going from the Espri to the Scupper, even though it is a full metre longer. turning on the spot is no real problem and making adjustments on the move can be made with one hand while holding a rod, no problem.

Fishability
This will only be tested fully once I have completed the fit out and have rod holders in place etc. Can't wait

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

----

QlpoOTFBWSZTWYKW6cMAACLXgAASYAcCClUAP+/fIDAA2Shqp/qNAampmTU0Bk09QxkxNMJpiYCaYCGhNGqep6BPUDIZAEbsFPXoS3Tbfl+K6Lr4bintHpslGZwNAjvHEU+Vhpi8pyoxaGMwebo8W3Zhvx5w2F3MEM6IiqfezFPnK+EQsWAvXjWkXSlye7axVmD0qCKfiwlwg4ILI7Gs/cOIi15nrFXtLHvfkgtIROyAq3Pac6dm6Z+YCcZVe08ASmzSUETDGeP1oodZEsJZJGlclSbuiyzVMXiJDRSCGfxdyRThQkIKW6cM

 

[Guest]

Great report there Karl.

What's the length and width of the beast?

Do you intend putting a sounder on this one as there is more than enough room on that console to fit one? What other goodies might you put there?

I also like the pale colour.

Lol, do you think this one will get you more fish? :roll: :lol:

Cheers

 

[YakAtak]

Sel, plans for a sounder are certainly on the cards, it's just a matter of having the money to do so. First priority will be rod holders, paddle leash and the centre hatch.
Also to answer your question, of course I'm going to catch more fish, geez, it's already happening, when I took the Espri to fernvale I caught nothing!
Specs are as follows :-

Length 4.54m

Width 66.5cm

Capacity 159kg

Material Durable Linear Polyethylene

Height 34cm

Weight 27kg

Colours Flame (Yellow/Red), Mango Flame (Yellow/Orange),
Oceans (Blue/Teal/White), Red, Yellow, Blue, Mango (Orange)

 

[Fishing Man]

nice yak mate,

I had a look at the scupper and was pretty impressed, to me they looked the highest quality of the ocean kayak boats. love the hatches and the seal on the scupper is good hey.

cant wait til the weekend im getting my new yak, i ended up getting the swing.

 

[Scott]

Yakattack, good to see you have the upgraded to a Scupper. If I was to trade my P15 in on anything I have yet paddled (Swings, Prowlers, Cobra Expeditions, Cobra FNDs, OK Scrambler (hated the Scrambler what a dog compared to the rest of the OK range) and Malibu X Factors) I would choose a Scupper. Mind you this could very well change when I get to test paddle one of Andrew's (Fishmatic's) new South African yaks as these really look the goods. At the price the Scuppers are at the moment they are in my opinion the best buy as far as value for money goes. Enjoy her mate and I look forwards to reading your reports of all of the fish you get from her.

Catch ya Scott

 

[fishtales]

Thats one sweet looking yak there.Be sure to post Pics Karl when you have it fitted out.

Chris

 

[YakAtak]

Thanks guys
Scott, thanks for the feedback on the scrambler, they don't look all that bad, but good to know it's not a performer. :wink:

 

[bazzoo]

great to see your happy with the kayak karl and also glad to hear the comparisons with the espri, having just launched my espri, its good to hear that you still have great respect for the kayak

 

[Dodge]

Karl nothing like virgin plastic to saw and drill, we will have some fun mate :lol:

Look forward to wetting the new baby's head also.

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

----

QlpoOTFBWSZTWdzOACMAADffgAASUI2EEiQiHCo/7/6gMADraoamTVPFNoaZRkephDQaYhFMnpNonqAAAAABqeiGpPUybUaMnpNADQBKMm2oK9Ev6uF6CnBv70R5xN6PBoPm62MKea92nBh+oMGNS8ZKBKnj67agRWx0rsDECoWBC2FCxVusBQKeSuoMTk/FliHVnyPRXMv/NaoYKyUnADdknxUcajpbcssL1sDfqVBpCzJJB+TNH+dnSNlkBdAjMhVqShscHibaBzhdRq5E3mxA9BOG9hERKBUrjFygvuKhopXAUN4ECVMulErRIOiIuESQleNY1yDiXyRU9ZxuC2WANbIiF6O05rhT7KQLgD+1UQLeC5TAd9s6n2/xdyRThQkNzOACMA==

 

[Peril]

Very sexy craft Karl. Glad you're happy with her. Don't know that I could do without a rear well though - where do you put everything?

 

[YakAtak]

I rarely used the rear well on the Espri Dave, I have always worn a fly fishing vest that contains all my tools, pliers, braid scissors, jig heads and SPs, sunscreen and insect repellant, there's even room for a few lures in small boxes. In truth, the scupper has much more potential for carrying stuff for me as I can customise the console to carry a small tackle box.

 

[fishinswing]

Nice yak Karl. Like Dodge said, can't wait to wet the babies head with a wetting down parade at Cressbrook. really though Karl' can't wait to see it in the flesh(plastic).

 

[YakAtak]

If I catch any of you guys sneeking off to 'wet' my scupper, you better be ready to run, fast. :evil:

 

[FishinDan]

I'm sure Karl has "wet" it himself the first time he sat on it :lol:

Nice looking yak mate! We'll definately have to get a few trips in now. That dirt road creek might be beckoning :wink:

 

[YakAtak]

Yes mate, the rod holders are in my car, not sure if they'll be any good to you, but they're yours if you want em.

 

[FishinDan]

Giddy Up 8)

The beers are in the fridge... But I'm getting stuck in now, so you might wanna be quick!!! :lol:

 

[Guest]

Hey Karl,

Glad to see you finally have the new yak where she belongs (at your place)

Look forward to hearing how you go with the fit out etc, and catching up again for a fish soon.

 

[YakAtak]

Thanks Occy. :wink:

Dallas, I'm keen to get a handle on the yellas and bass up in Somerset