Tarpon 160 vs. Scupper Pro. Last Comment

For most of you guys the Scupper Pro is history, and I'm sure many of the new OK boats have inherited the SP DNA.  I just haven't paddled the new boats, but I've always had a spot in my paddling heart for the SP.  A couple of years ago I traded my SP for a WS Tarpon - 160, thinking that I could get more paddle speed out of the T-160.

I traded my SP to the local Kayak Guide working out of Van Damme.  He periodically calls me to fill in guiding when one of his regular guides calls in too hung over or something.  So this morning I got to paddle my old SP on a tour.  It was like seeing an old friend after a long separation.  I really like the way those boats paddle (this was one of the old 2 hatch jobs)!  I really think they are better, faster, and much more responsive than the T-160.  I could really feel it in the hip snap.  The SP responds way better to hip movement.  It feels much more like a real yak than the T-160.

The other thing I noticed is how much better the SP handled in waves and slop.  The T-160 has a tendency to slap when the wave period is short while the SP just cuts straight through.  I really don't like that slap.

So my last comment on this now pointless debate (because of all the new boats) is that I wish I kept my Scupper Pro. 

I'm curious how the SP compares paddle-wise to its descendants, like the tridents.

Not even close Dave. There are trade-offs though. Just like with everything. As far as Im concerned the SC fils that niche for traveling light and fast. Like the old days dude.

Having owned and paddled both the SPTW (and the the rear hatch model) and the original T-160 (with rear hatch), I'd say the Scupper Pro would be the ideal kayak for the small to medium sized kayaker. The T-160 is better suited for the guys who couldn't fit comfortably on the SP (like me). Ocean kayaks stop making the SP but did a short production run a few years back. So, if you come across one for sale...buy it and cherish it.

THe rear hatch models on the original T-160 and the SP was very appealing to me because you could easily side saddle and store your gear going in and out of the surf zone (mind you, these were the days before the rod pod design) The down fall was not having a proper place to store your catch. I ended up keeping my catch in a burlap sack and storing 'em in the front hatch when I was done for the day.

*the other advantage of having a rear hatch kayak is when your doing your surf landing, you don't have to worry about all that water swamping the tankwell and making it more difficult to balance. THe scupper holes don't drain very fast by the way....just an FYI.

As for the Trident series, I would have designed it without the sonar shield but keep the rod pod. The only problem I see with the rod pod is that it's too wide. I'd narrow it down thus narrowing down the width of the yak itself.  I'm not a big fan of any kayak thats over 30 inches wide - IMO. SOT kayaks are getting heavier these days. I'd like to see more simple deck layouts and lighter in weight.

Over all, If I had to choose on what kayaks to keep for a collection of THE BEST....
1) The second generation Prowler 15 (has the transducer friendly scupper hole).......now discontinued
2) THe Original T-160 (double hatch) .....discontinued and hard to find
3) Scupper Pro (double hatch) ....discontinued and hard to find

just my 2 cents..

My scupper pro has been sitting on the racks for over a week now. The great thing about the scupper also is that the hull is way stronger than all made after. Great, great boat.

Never had the privilege to paddle a Scupper Pro, but a lot of divers and fishers love it. I weigh 165 so I don't need a barge. It's the nearest cousin to the Prowler 15 as far as I can tell—wet, sleek, and simple. I have a T-15 but I'll keep my P-15  as well. The low profile is better in the wind and, because I love to fly fish, the wind is my adversary every single fishing day. Kayaking is water sport, dress for immersion, adding fishing doesn't change that. If you don't like that, buy a boat.

Not even close Dave. There are trade-offs though. Just like with everything. As far as Im concerned the SC fils that niche for traveling light and fast. Like the old days dude.

       Can't  argue with that   Oh No !!!   

Not even close Dave. There are trade-offs though. Just like with everything. As far as Im concerned the SC fils that niche for traveling light and fast. Like the old days dude.

       Can't  argue with that   Oh No !!!   

Sure can't argue with that.  Speaking of changes: OK's new Prowlers have the rod pod. I prefer that hull design but I like the pod. Cool.

I have owned a Scupper Pro TW - now owned by jmairey, and currently own a Scupper dual hatch and a T160 dual hatch.

Of the three boats, I'd have to give my overall nod to the T160.

I'd rather have the weight of the Scupper, but realistically it's too light for a poly boat. The deck is very flimsy, though the hull isn't too bad. The T160 is a beast when it comes to weight, and the SP is quite manageable.

I like the width of the Scuppers, though the 28" width of the T160 means I can fish from it standing up in water that's absolutely calm. Quite easy to stand and paddle, in order to sight fish while kneeling, even in water that's got speedboat traffic.

I want even more length than the T160. There is a reason why sooo many sea kayaks are 17' long.

I find the hull of the T160 to be a lot less noisy (thus more efficient) than the scuppers.

The lower, more rounded deck of the T160 is tops when it comes to being user friendly.

The Scupper is going to be an absolutely killer boat for my boys as they grow up. Heck, the nearly-five-year-old is telling me he wants to start paddling it. I'd highly recommend this boat for lighter paddlers that can benefit from a boat that weighs 40-something pounds, vs 50-something or even 60-something pounds...

One of these days, someone will make my dream boat...  Imagine a skinny T170 DH, with no channels in the hull for tracking (WTF!?!?!) and rodpod-esque central access. Of course, it has to weigh less than 55 lbs

Scott