Creek Boats Comparison | Pyranha Scorch vs Jackson Gnarvana vs Dagger Code

[@teckninja]

I’ve paddled a Nomad for over 10 years, and though it’s saved my butt many times, plowing through holes and bouncing off rocks, anyone who’s paddled a Nomad knows you have to be paying attention 100% of the time, always looking ahead and contemplating your next move to get where you want to be in time. My opinion anyway, as an advanced intermediate paddler who’s on the older side of young and old. Anyway, got in my buddy’s Code at the runout of a local creek this summer. All it took was a couple of ferries, eddy turns and surfs to sell me on the boat. I haven’t paddled the Scorch or Gnarvana, but that short paddle, and a whole session a couple weeks later, was enough to sell me…I’m picking up my new Code next week. Thanks for the video, great job.

[@AQOutdoors]

@@teckninja as a long time nomad paddler I can relate 100%. Enjoy your new whip. The Code is such a killer boat. Thanks for the kind words too!

[@trifilmer]

I always thought the Code was good but had rather soft edges, the Gnarvana - I always called it a soft Scorch due to the softer edges, the Scorch - I would called it the Performance model of creek boat. For me, I ended up in the middle with the Gnarvana. Great job on the video!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thank you so much for the insight! We also appreciate the kind words about the video. It's great to hear from people who've also paddled all these boats

[@brentwade9346]

I'm using a Ripper 2 Large primarily, but I tried a Medium Gnar a couple nights ago. I was very impressed at how it floated and performed for me at 6'2, 210.

[@AQOutdoors]

@@brentwade9346 it has a bunch of volume for a medium boat.. at 170 lbs and 5'9" I feel I could almost paddle the small but like the additional forgiveness of the medium. I feel the Gnarvana paddles small for its volume. Thanks for the insight.

[@brentwade9346]

@@AQOutdoors With all that rocker there's so little boat in the water I can see how it paddles small. I'm demoing a large this weekend. As for the high volume water, Boyd Ruppelt was running it on the Ottawa this spring in his big water outing and he told me he was very impressed with how it held lines and stayed on top of high volume.

[@AQOutdoors]

@@brentwade9346 that's great to hear. Being on the smaller side of the medium I found it a bit awkward to start with in bigger volume. I figured however that keeping it flat crossing eddy lines and boils really improved the control and feel in big water..

[@Solokayaker888]

Love my Code. Saves my butt when I'm being a retard! Bwaaahahahahaha Groovy video.

[@darksidecarnival5385]

Great review and detailed info. Thanks for putting this out.

[@AQOutdoors]

Our pleasure.. thanks for checking it out and for the kind words.

[@FORTRANWW]

Great vid, as a Code owner I think you were spot on with it!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thank you for the kind words. Start to hear you share a review on the code

[@geopietro]

Great video. Thank you for posting. I'm considering the Gnarvana and the Code. I'm 5'9" and 155 pounds and could fit either a small or a medium. Any thoughts which size to choose? Thanks again.

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for checking it out and stoked you found it useful. It depends a bit on what you want the boat to do and feel like. I think of you want a fun, manueverable boat for class III and IV the small would be great. If you are looking more for a class IV and V creeking machine the medium would be a better option.

[@TheMTBPOV]

Sweet short review, how is the code when it comes to rolls if it’s harder to flip in the first place? Does it come back up just easy as other models? Thanks

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for checking the video and the comment. It rolls really nicely. We have taught lots of new paddlers to roll in it and it is great .

[@TheMTBPOV]

@@AQOutdoors thanks for the quick reply, I’m a rec kayaker looking to move to white water and the code/gnarvarna are what I’ve been swaying towards 🙌

[@AQOutdoors]

@@TheMTBPOV I have the Gnarvana and it is super stable and also easy to roll. It is a big boat compared to the code though does paddle small. Both would be appropriate for you. Just a matter of comfort and sizing preference.. good luck. Whitewater kayaking is a lot of fun.

[@rhysmckinstry3620]

Which of these would you say paddles best with the added weight of overnight gear?

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for that great question. In full transparency I have yet to dona significant overnight in any of these boats. That being said with instructing and longer days on the water I have carried a lot more gear than most paddlers recreationally would in each of these models. I think all three are good with the amount of gear I have carried. If I were paddling a longer multiday and had a lot of gear and food I would be trying to put at least some in the bow. Given the bow rocker on these models I think things could get a bit squirrelly in the stern if all the gear went in the back. The other thought is that if you are sizing up as a medium paddler (ie. 170 lb paddler chosing a large model for capacity) the code would be my choice as it is the easiest paddling large model for a smaller paddler. The other 2 large boats feel like a bigger step in in size from M to L so would make empty boat paddling a bit harder.

[@rhysmckinstry3620]

@AQOutdoors thanks for the reply! I agree, putting some gear in the bow seems like a good option. That huge bow on the gnarvana might come in handy for that! Do you think that the scorch x would be a good overnighter kayak for a 170 lb paddler?

[@AQOutdoors]

@@rhysmckinstry3620 I would think so. Assuming you are leaving towards the medium? There is plenty of room in that boat for gear, might just get into the upper weight capacity if you are paddling longer Multi days

[@brentwade9346]

So many great options out there. Too bad you guys didn't have a RMX86 to add - I find it to be a very happy medium between the Scorch and Gnar. Great video!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks so much for checking out the video. We will have to check out the Liquid Logic boat soon. We are lucky to have so many good choices in boats right now

[@artfisher1235]

Great analysis for the wee folk.

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for checking out the video. Also for taking the time to comment!

[@Clambelly]

Pyranha Machno would have been more appropriate than Scorch ?

[@AQOutdoors]

The machno is a great boat but more akin to a Dagger Nomad in that it is a more traditional creek boat. Wider, a bit more volunous feeling, much slower though in my opinion better for running and more importantly landing bigger drops.

[@gordmccoll5009]

Awesome video ❤

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks gord

[@mikehunt4686]

Spot on👍

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks so much

[@michaelhilton5325]

Title of video is different than what was actually compared.☹️

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for the comment. Can you elaborate please? I think we compared the 3 boats mentioned. Thanks