WANTED: Scupper Pro TW

Hi all,

I am a newbie and just getting started and all your posts have been really helpful.  Any other advice, or if anyone has a boat they could pass on to me, it would sure be appreciated! 

I expect to fish mostly off Marin (anywhere 'round Pt. Reyes, Dbl Point, Stinson, Muir) for salmon and rockfish, as well as the bay for 'buts (OP, RW, Berkeley flats mostly, I figure). Yes, I have no clue and will need some yakfishing buddies    plus my friends in Oakland think I am nuts for doing this!  (Really, I'm not nuts - I swear.)

Since I will be doing a fair amount of launching from surf, going distances, and dealing with the coastal winds, chop, and currents - and I don't want to need (pay $$$ for) a rudder - I thought the SPTW would be a best bet.

I am 6', 195 lb, and tho' I am an angler and not a paddler as of yet, I feel confident in my ability to handle the narrower Scupper Pro, versus the Prowler 13.

I need to carry, lug, lift this thing way off the ground to store it in my apt building, hence why I need a light boat, rather than a Tarpon which would be tiresomely heavy after awhile!

If anyone has a SPTW that they might be interesting in selling, that would be really swell.

I have seen a few SP's go off craigslist in the past month from $350-500, but I haven't been quick enough on the draw to get them....  bummer!

Or if you know a place where I can get a good deal on a new or formerly rental OK.  Best prices I have found yet are Venture Quest (Santa Cruz) and Monterey Bay Kayaks, and City Kayak (SF).

Thanks for any advice or assistance!  See you out there in 3 or 4 weeks, I hope!

Craig

Craig I would strongly suggest paddling the Scupper first. That boat has it quirks and while it is fast, it might now work for you. I am 5' 8" and my hips barely squeeze into the seat of that boat. It is super tipy as you noted.

Good luck!

Bill, yes, that is a very good idea - I don't want to feel squished, regardless of how fast a boat is.  I should paddle the SP and the Prowler back to back, just to be sure.  I will try to do that tomorrow. 

If anyone is wanting to upgrade from their P13, that would also be a fine choice for me.  I will just deal with tracking in the slop as it comes - or add a rudder if necessary.

Thanks much!

Craig,

I'm 6' and 185, and fit in the SP no problem. But I have to amplify what Bill said - make sure you've had some time in the SP before commiting to a purchase. If you are ever on the Peninsula during the week, you are welcome to paddle mine. I'm even around on the occasional weekend.

So, realizing that all boats are a compromise, the SP seems to be a good choice for you, in that it will easily handle open ocean, and doesn't weigh a ton. I'd probably stay away from rental fleet boats though, as most of them get dragged a lot, so the hull could be pretty thin at the stern. I paid pretty dearly for my used SPTW, but the hull was pristine.

Also, before you put all your expensive fishing gear on your boat and do a surf launch. Take your boat out for a couple practice sessions with no gear and get used to its personality.


Regards,
Scott

Very cool - I may take you up on your generous offer, if i can!  I am not on the peninsula often, but I really want to attend the next event and meet y'all and learn more.  I think I just missed a couple of good events, but am guessing there will be others soon.

Thanks for the tip on the rental 'yaks.  It makes total sense. 

Outdoorplay ships free and there's no sales tax - I can get a brand new (Sunrise baby!) SPTW from there for $689 shipped to Oakland - the P13 would be $769.  I would just have to wait 3 weeks..........

I wonder if it's worth spending an extra $175 to get new instead of used.  What do you think?

For a $175 or so difference, it would probably make more sense to go new. If a $350 virgin boat shows up a week later, you'll be kicking yourself though.

And you really do need to spend some time paddling these boats. There should be absolutely no question in your mind regarding the relative strengths and weaknesses of these models, even without paddling them back to back. They are worlds apart as far as characteristics, and I've only been in a P13 for about 60 seconds. During which, I was able to see that the P13 is much more manueverable and much more stable. To the point that I was easily able to stand in it and paddle around, something that is pretty iffy with the SP. I can even see being able to sight fish in flatwater while standing in the P13.  I bet the P13 is a "interesting" in a following sea though. Take a look at the two on the Ocean Kayak site. You'll see that the SP has a "fish form" shape from fore to aft. Where the majority of the hull volume is foreward of the centerline. This makes it much less likely that the stern is going to be pushed all over the place by swell. Now look at the Prowlers. They have what is called a "swede form", where the majority of the volume is aft of the centerline. Which has a lot of advantages, but this hull form makes it easier for following seas to push the stern around.

You might also want to contact this craigslist seller. Maybe they are actually legit, and you can get a deal on a new boat right away:

http://www.craigslist.org/pen/boa/168222390.html


Regards,
Scott

Wow, thanks for all the info Scott!  I have spent most of my waking, non-working hours (well some working hours too hehe) for the past 2 weeks on all the kayaking boards sucking up people's opinions, findings, comparisons, etc...  Though I never got your kind of detail!

I heard that the primary stability (non-tippiness) is lower in the SPTW but it's something that you get used to in any boat you get...  and that secondary stability is most important, and the SPTW has good secondary stability, along with excellent performance in open seas.

Yes, you're also right about craigslist.... I responded to one SPTW post last week on Sac CL, replied 30 minutes after the guy posted it...  Even then I was the 3rd person responding though, and the second one got dibs before i did...  heh.

I did contact that seller you linked (who is an NCKA member, at that!) but the prices are not that much cheaper and they are Anglers, and I am wanting to save the Angler $$ and just rig my own.  Thanks tho!

Craig you seem to be pretty dialed into the Ocean Kayaks and it seemed like you looked at the Wilderness System's boats as well. Don't forget the Cobras, Malibus and Hobies. OK also has the big game coming out that looks like it might be a pretty nice ride.

One good thing about going used over new is that if a new boat comes along that better suits your needs you can sell your used boat for about the same price you got it for.

Yes, that is a great point Bill - the resale on used makes the risk so low, if I decide i want to change boats, as I hear many people do.  That will keep me pushed towards buying used.

Yes, I did especially note the Hobie Quest, Cobra Marauder, and the Malibu Extreme, which also seem good comparables and would serve my purposes nicely.  They seem like great boats, just a little too rich for my blood, I think.  OK seems to have a good price-value, plus they glide well and are good for the distance paddling I will do looking for salmon and lings up and down the coast.

If you have any additional input on these choices (or a deal on a used yak!) feel free...  I really appreciate your experience!

I am getting a Marauder to replace my Prowler. The big thing for me was that I could not get comfortable in the prowler, my legs would go to sleep after about an hour. Some people have this problem with the Prowler others don't. Also the Prowler is a very wet ride which I was not to happy with. The Cobra is super comfy and I was lucky enough to paddle one all day recently with no comfort problems at all. Add to that amazing storage, super dry ride and decent speed I was sold. It is not as fast as the Prowler but I think it is pretty close.

Don't get me wrong the Prowler is a good boat and if it was not for the comfort issue I would have stayed with it. Like Scott said every kayak has it's trade offs, figuring out which ones you can live with and which ones are the show stoppers is the hard part. If you want to test paddle any Cobras or Malibu's give Sean at Great White Kayak Company a shout, he is scwafish on the board. He can hook you up. For Hobies there is Adventure Sports in Sacto and California Canoe and Kayak in Oakland.

Craig,

I PM'd you but if 720 for the new 13 isn't in the price range I can try to get you new Scupper.  I would have to order it and I am not sure how long that would be.  Sometimes a week maybe two.  Give me a call if I can help you.

650-888-8455

Jason Selli

Awesome Jason, thanks!  I PM'ed you back.  I am hoping to pay like $500 for a good cond. used SPTW but may not find one.

By the way, can you get ahold of the new Prowler Elite....?  
Hmm, okay that might be asking a bit much!

Looks like that boat may replace the P15 and who knows maybe the SPTW as well....

Thanks!!!

I have a scupper pro TW which is basically my son's kayak. I am 5'11'' and 190 and the seat was WAY too tight for me. Forget about wearing a weight belt on it. I also have a prowler 15 and a tarpon 160. Both have ample room for me.
DEFINITELY paddle oa SPTW first, then paddle something else in the same range. See how easily you can move around on the deck.
My son weighs in at only around 105 so it is plenty roomy for him.

CL.
Scupper Pro

Craig:

I started in a SPTW and now paddle a P15.  the SP is a great boat.  The advice above, however is right on.  the boat is not real stable, so practice in one first. 

Or, do like I did and just buy it, then fall out a few times till you get it right.

The P15 IMO, is a much better boat in terms of stability and fishability, though it's not quite as fast as the Scupper.  Plenty fast though, and you might consider it over the 13 which is a bit slower.  I find the P15 waaay drier a ride than the SPTW, you sit higher and with plugs in the seat scuppers, I'm pretty dry all the time, except for water slopping over occasionally.  Footwells are always awash, but with booties that doesn't matter to me.  (As Mooch saays, the footwells make a dandy temporary live baitwell.  I've found them to be a good octopus aquarium also)

if you are someone like Seabreeze, that won't matter.  (she can paddle all day in her 13, always ahead of the pack)

I would extend the offer to try one of my 15's or my 13 if you like.  PM me on the board to see if we can schedule.  I'm in Santa Cruz.

Then...get a boat and get out there!!!

Allen