Conclusions: Wade's favorites: 6.) zet cross 5.) zet 5 4.) code - wade loves edges and the code doesn't have enough 3.) gnarvana 2.) RMX - one and two are pretty much a tie. 1.) Scorch Matt's favorites: 6.) zet cross 5.) zet 5 4.) gnarvana 3.) Code 2.) ** he hasn't paddled the RMX 1.) Scorch Best for beginners: 3.) Scorch 2.) Gnarvana 1.) Code If you are older and don't paddle all that often and just want to be taken care of, get a code.
I did a review on it but might revisit in in another podcast ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h9onTx67hGA.html on water review ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RG8dIDnfvYc.html walkthrough
Yeah me and Matt have paddled a lot and wanted to put this out on the current batch out today but there are a bunch of really good ones we didn’t cover
I'm in my 60's and found the Code lackluster, but for some reason couldn't get comfortable in ANY Pyranha kayak - so I settled on the Gnarvana. Love it and I love the edges on it. I added the knee pads build out like Boyd (Send School) did to his Z3. It makes it feel more engaged and more narrow.
@@trifilmer yeah that’s why you probably thought that code was little to soft and wanted that edge I think the gnar is pretty for that it had a nice edge but doesn’t have that edge out of control feel like some hard edge boat did
Inazone is the first boat I saw someone flatwater clean wheel. Prozones end up being sold for $100 around here. Enjoyed the podcast guys, thanks for posting it!
I remember when that FX came out. It has molded in flames going down the side of it! When they came to clinic us at California Canoe and Kayak they told us you could put the pods on for when you wanted to creek with it. And EJ himself came in to clinic us on the Mutant when it came out. They refered to it having a "squirtable stern" on it so you could do slalom turns when creeking. I was only about 130 lbs and sat really high in the water in it making the hull extremely narrow for me causing it to want to live on it's secondary stability.
@@WadeHarrison That's a shame. Now I have quite good connections to Exo. Just take a look. Maybe I can find out if there is an importer for exo boats in the USA. I think it would be super cool to hear your opinion on the boat.
I’ve really been looking forward to this one, guys.. thanks for putting this together. I’ve got a medium scorch, code & Gnar.. I would rank code #3, gnar #2 & scorch at #1..
Hey Wade. Got an idea for a show. Could you find someone to talk about the progression of modern playboats. Or the Jackson rockstar V1-5. And whether playboat design has completely plateaued, or if there is still room for design improvements.
That was a great comparison.I really enjoyed it.I tried the small Code and had a down payment on it but it was early summer and it had not arrived . I canceled the order and had a chance to try a small Zet 5 which I also really liked.I thought it was fast and quick edge to edge.I wasn't able to make a commitment and purchased a small Gnarvana without trying it due to it being a good deal.So far it has only seen the pool a few times.I am in my 60's and the goal is some entry level creeking.
Boats of 9 feet and longer I do not want on Ramsey Prong or West Prong or Thunderhead Prong, etc. Unfortunately, the whole design world has gone trendy for large, hydro release type streams. Oh well, we just grab old school short boats and make Kevlar and S Glass copies. I do not need a subbing RMX or a ocean barge size Gnarvana or a skinny Lettman, etc.
The Dagger Code M is the best smokies style boat I had there it's got High rails and a bow that never pitons safety step out and it's at that sweet creek spot length of around 8'9"
Having split my Exo T-REX, I have just done a few days of demos. I am a 56 year old paddler who is in the water at least three times a wee (6 day last week) and paddle a Steeze most of the time. I needed an alps boat. Long story short, I bought the scorch. Loved the edges, speed and it suited how I paddle. The code I really did not like. I just found it boring. Other boast that missed the cut were the Zion Creek, too uncomfortable for me (leg position too flat), OG, too slow. I decided not to wait for the RMX due to the coast in the uk Which is near,y £400 more than a Scorch. I think that most boats are pretty good today and there is a lot of choice. I still get my flying squirrel out from time to time but things have moved on.
Wade, you and I are the same size. Been paddling a Medium Code on steep creeks for the last two seasons. I found the boat did well in low volume streams but was harder to maneuver in heavy flows. Also felt like the medium floated a little low and slow for me. Will be paddling the same steep creeks but I'm wanting to float a little higher and feel more nimble in pushy water. Considering large code, OG, or a medium Gnarvana, have any recommendations?
Yes I have mostly pictures of paddling races pictures with friends and some action shots it’s my office. And hey you send me one of badass drawings you make i would put that up as well buddy.
I'm an II/III rivers yough, cassleman, slippery rock, cheat, etc. Pretty lower volume stuff, kinda set on the rmx but curious to what you would recommend for the rivers near me I'll me on mostly
for sure the RMX fits that, and they have them in 3 sizes and looks like they are all 3 in stock here if interested------ coloradokayak.com/products/liquidlogic-rmx-kayak?ref=wade
Watching Kevin hills video about the code he said it’s the wettest boat he’s ever owned vs the gnar. Kevin also said he got back endered on it and Matt just echoed the same thing.
@@followingrj I did move the seat back in my medium code I never had a issues with it being a wet ride or back ender but have heard a mixed experiences with the small code because there’s a big gap between the medium and small..
@@WadeHarrison Thank you. Are you recommending the smalls for the gnarvana and scorch to be in the middle of the weight range? The mediums wouldn't have enough control?
@@williamrichmond8237 the small Gnar and Five Both are bigger then you think and the small scorch might be too small that one might want to try the medium
Question for you Wade. I heard you mention that you could see yourself rockin the small gnar as you were pointing out the specs. Do you feel they went a little conservative on the weight rating for the small? I mean it’s still has plenty of volume, length and width for a small. I fluctuate between 165-180 so I’m just wondering if the small would be ok or if the recommended medium would be the way to go.
Tough call actually but when it comes to creek/river runners I would go larger I was just generally saying that I paddled the small and it wasn't like small small like the Code
I bought a medium code last year as a boat that would really take care of me and allow me to get on harder whitewater. I’ve really progressed in my boating and feel like I want something a little more precise. I also have a medium antix 2. I would say my boating style is on the slower side and reactive. I really didn’t like the 9r2. What boat do you think I would like out of the scorch, gnarvana, and rmx for Colorado class 5 boating?
Depending on how small the Zet veloc is an option as well. But it is quite dated so not as great a design but it does fit a small human and js smaller than the code and scorch.
Yeah I had that one for awhile and it’s awesome Matt’s never seen one in person I might do another podcast and cover some of the other ones like Phoenix DRX Waka OG and others
I had only paddled the Burn 3 briefly years ago and I was 160 in the medium and was fine but really would like to revisit it since they have rereleased it
@WadeHarrison A year late, but speaking of river running creekers I have a Dagger Nomad currently but looking for a bit more play. But, I did find a Fluid Detox nearby for sale in curious on your thoughts... I thought the play hull with a tapered, high volume body would be interesting.
@@WadeHarrison Thanks, got the same advice about a flow or a sweetride. Scorch would be interesting to demo but the closest place that has them is the NOC - maybe ill try it out in the summer!
@WadeHarrison Do you think that the LL Alpha 75 has too much overlap in terms of use and style to my Nomad (Oldmad specifically)? I like the stern concept on the Alpha and that I can carve it into smaller eddies a lot easier. As well as its surfing capabilities in comparison to the Nomad.
Hey guys great reviews! Can I get your thoughts ? I’m currently paddling a medium burn 2 for creeking (low volume, rocky, pool drop) and a braaap 69 for river runs, I really enjoy the braaap. I’m currently looking at the scorch or code as a replacement for the burn. I’m wondering how these boats would feel/perform vs what I have now. Unfortunately I won’t be able to sit in one of these let alone demo in my region in Canada before I order. Thanks!
If low volume mank I recommend the code here is a link where they are in stock coloradokayak.com/products/dagger-code-whitewater-kayak?ref=wade&variant=40787682885808
Loved the comparisons! However, since you guys talked a lot about the small to medium sizes I would have liked to hear your thoughts on the larges. As a 6'3", 240lb Class 4-5 boater I would say that the Lg Gnarvana is hands down easily the best in class for the over 220lb group. Haven't tried the RMX yet, but it's not even close in terms of how they float and handle for large paddlers. Most larges seem to cater to the 200lb to 220lb range (which I get in terms of market share), but it's really awesome to actually have a big boy boat for the stouts.
Agreed I kinda said that the Larger Gnar and RMX 96 are true large kayaks the code and scorch large are not that big in my opinion and the flux is going to really be a bigger medium from the looks of the specs. The cross is a big medium as well.
I don't have any hands on experience but i can tell you just based on the specs there is no way i'm paddling the gnarvana at 28.25" wide. I bought a large jackson once, huge mistake. It was like paddling an aircraft carrier. I'm sure I saw fighter jets flying landing patterns around my boat. I'm partial to a narrower boat because I feel like it gives me more room for paddle strokes. That's tough for me at 6-4 & 235 plus a complement of creeking gear.
@@jonathandzielak1287 to each their own. But î say don't let your prejudice from past designs prevent you from trying this one. It's far and away the best Jackson creeker ever.
Was looking forward to a run down on creek boats. Sounded like an informative and honest opinion on each boat. I’m still looking for a Colorado Creek boat. We don’t have dams that hold water. We have snow run off in June and July. Our rivers are extremely cold all year, staying dry and easy to roll is important. Thanks for the video. I like my Traverse 10. Would be nice to have something more quick and playful.
Yeah I go to CO and paddle every other year so trust me I know. And the this past June I was there and had the Code and Scorch but because I was on mostly high water runs I stayed in the scorch all the time because how dry it stayed out of everything.
To Jackson's credit, I bet that wide bow is gonna be a dream for gear storage on overnight trips, especially with that awesome bulkhead. I bet it would be a great boat for selway and south fork salmon trips.
Matt and Wade, This review and discussion is SO helpful!!! I probably enter into the guy in his 50’s, but wanting to drive it, and learn aggressively. I am hoping to come South and demo the RMX and the Gnarvana, maybe at the Charlotte WW Center. Or, even better yet, find a company who would let me rent the boats on The Green. SOOO looking forward to heading south in the spring!
Yeah, glad could help out I'm 45mins for the green and little over hour from the WW center hit me up when in town I'm usually out paddling somewhere when everything's going.
@@WadeHarrison Thnx so much! I will definitely do so. I’ll shoot you a PM when I know I am headed South. I am hoping to get some time on the water below a spillway on a local reservoir. When there is a release going on it can give me an opportunity to practice some S-turns, and attainments. Too, I hope to get some time on flat water to practice paddling straight in the WW kayak. Sadly, there is little other I can do for WW practice around here.
@@WadeHarrison Near future Phoenix and RMX, until I try RMX ,Phoenix is my choice the Cross is just too steep for my pocket, unless I find a used one.
