New pro explorer


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Posted by Ted on September 25, 2002 at 18:29:53:

In Reply to: Re: New pro explorer posted by Goldfish on September 25, 2002 at 10:58:05:

Goldfish,

As for the Scrambler XT here are my comments I have made regarding the scrambler.....eventhough most sit on tops are wet, I sat in a puddle of water all day. I am used to dry ride sit on tops. I should have checked to see if they rented scupper plugs. Scupper plugs are a poor excuse for bad design. There are plenty of dry ride sit-on-tops that offer equal to better stability and the dry ride sit-on-tops tend to offer larger carrying capcity weights as well.

The tracking on the boat was poor. If I stopped paddling, the boat would spin around in the opposite direction (no wind or current issues that day).

My standard milk crate that fits in some of the other kayaks I have paddled did not fit in the tank well, but I bungied it on the back anyway. I brought my anchor and attached it to the bow. I was halibut drift fishing off Ventura, CA. The stability of the boat was excellent, and the speed was average. There are too many other newer kayak designs that offer equal to better stability, a drier ride and better tracking for me to do anything else than rent this boat when forced to. I know next time to bring my wetsuit.

Goldfish, I think there are better values than the Scrambler currently on the market. If I was in an area where that is all I could rent, the boat is fine and I'll work it out.

You really need to look at the top deck design of both kayaks, The access to the hull of the Pro Explorer in my oppinion is far superior. Go to http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000016.html and you can read about the sinking hazard related to the Scrambler XT. The Cobra and Malibu Ocean Sports designs offer dryer rides, they do this by elevating the sitiing position. Those who are familiar with Ocean Kayaks, falsey assume that the higher seating compromises stability and this is one of the reasons Ocean Kayak lowers the seat. The reality is that the large center hatches on the newer kayaks give greater hull access and when you store your gear more in the center and below in the hull you can now move the seat above the waterline as the center of gravity is not tied only to the seat occupant but now the gear stored more equally through out the inside of the hull.

What you need to remember is that there are basically two classes of kayaks, touring and non touring. Touring kayaks are going to be narrow and long. This design feature limits the ablility to incorporate a large hatch in the center as on the Cobra Fish and Dive or the Pro Explorer. OTOH, non touring kayaks are wider and the width gives the desigers the ability to be flexible with the top deck design, by using greater inner hull storage to lower the center of gravity.

Scramblers are probably the most abundant rental kayaks around. Grab your fishing gear and rent one for a day of fishing. If you live near Long Beach or Malibu you can rent the Pro Explorer and give it a fishing shake down. You will have a good idea of what you want.

And don't forget to look at the specs and compare:

Scrambler XT
Length: 12'
Width: 29"
Weight: 53 lbs
Max. Weight Capacity: 300-350 lbs.
**If you are traveling in rough water with a loaded down XT, please use caution when opening the center hatch.

Pro Explorer
Length: 12' 6"'
Weight: 52 lbs.
Width (at beam): 31"
Max. load: 450 lbs.

-Ted


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