Quote from: kayakjack on February 26, 2019, 05:53:47 AM

duuuuuude, I just test paddled the swell scupper up in casper last weekend. I didn't like it a lot. the whole ball-valve scupper drain thing is a hassle. foot pegs need to be extended up so the ball of my foot actually contacts the peg. the lower footwell doesn't seem to lower the center of gravity noticeably. I like the original scupper pro better.

 Thanks for testing and reporting Jack.
  I really enjoyed the speed of the Scupper pro and how easy it was to roll. Success on my first try is not the norm for me on a SOT.  There were a few things that I didn't like and it looked like the first protos were addressing those issues. I wanted more bow volume and some rocker. I knew that would kill a bit of the speed but I believe I would enjoy the boat more with those changes. The new scupper protos looked like  Tim and Swell had similar ideas to improve the scupper pro.  Now that Niemier is not involved and the protos are not available, I am settling on this Scupper14 product.  I have had venturi scuppers on surf skis and I understand that they won't drain when static. Not a deal breaker for me.  As far a the stock rigging goes, It will be like other boats. Ill rip it all off and upgrade with better gear that suits my interests. They have marketed the low CoG thing, but I could really care less.  I am what makes a boat stable vs unstable.

What I am really interested in is speed.  So....?

Was it fast?

 Im also curious if the scalloped gunnel made a difference?  I like to use a bow rudder a lot and I was hoping this might help me.

You are welcome to paddle this kayak, I’m in Caspar. I’m selling it for $1k if you want it. I will send the new scuppers when they get to me at the end of March.

I have a brand new Swell Watercraft Scupper for sell. It’s a new brand developed in part by Tim Niemier, the guy who designed the original Scupper Pro. I originally bought this kayak at a discount when they were trying to get the company going on Kickstarter several years ago. Basically I bought it sight unseen for $1500. I have the adventure package in white with a rudder.   https://swellwatercraft.com/buy/

The concept behind this kayak is lowering the footwells below the waterline to create a more narrow boat with more stability. Due to tha below the waterline design they added one way scupper valves that drain water when you paddle.  At this time I have the first generation valves. Swell is sending me the second generation when they are finished at the end of this month which are supposed to be 3 times as efficient.

Long story short, I don’t like it. The kayak always has some amount water in the footwell. Being a diver I didn’t think I’d mind that, but after paddling it, I don’t like it. I could wait for the new scupper valves, but I have 6 kayaks and they are just stacking up.

If someone from NCKA wants it, I’ll sell it for $1000

I have one.  You can call me at 281-755-7386.

Correct.
The limit was increased from 35 urchin to 4 five gallon buckets

What exactly is your son going to do?  For work in the shop, gauge steel up to 1/4”, I would suggest a MIG welder. Whatever model wire welder you choose, I would suggest that Miller makes a great welder.

If he’s going to weld pipe or structural steel up to 1” (or more), the industry standard is stick. If I were going for an arc welder I would buy a Lincoln.  I still use the same model  Ideal arc 250 that I learned on in high school 35 years ago. The welder is about 50 years old. I bought it from my uncle 30 years ago. He used it on his farm for years. It still runs a perfect weld, and I occasionally TIG with it.

If the kid is going to stick with It I’d invest  a good machine that he can teach your grandkids on.

The blunt end on the handle is a “tank banger”. You hit your scuba cylinder with it to alert your dive partners.

I have abandoned strapping my knife to my leg because it tends to get caught up in kelp. If you do go with the leg, I suggest you strap it to the inside of your calf.

Make sure you put a bungee loop to keep it in the scabbard and to put around your wrist when you use it.

Be careful if you decide to brain a fish rather than cut the gills. A lot of people have pushed the blade through the fish into their own hands or legs.

First things first.

You need to be comfortable diving. It should be second nature.

Once you have that down a polespear is a great start, it teaches you to stalk the fish.

If you are already a good kayaker, you need to figure out how to stow or lash down all of your gear.

Since you won't be in the kayak, you need a kelp clip on a length of bungee, and because there isn't kelp everywhere you'll need an anchor.