Half Slice Boats Comparison | Pyranha Ripper 2 vs Jackson Antix 2.0 vs Dagger Rewind

In this video, Simon Coward from AQ Outdoors compares three popular half slice boats; the Pyranha Ripper 2, the Jackson Antix 2.0, and the Dagger Rewind. This is not a specs driven comparison, but rather one based on personal experiences, suitability, and on-water observations.
0:03 Intro
1:08 The Pyranha Ripper 2
2:05 The Jackson Antix 2.0
3:14 The Dagger Rewind
4:20 Summary
SHOP Slice Boats Here:
aqoutdoors.com/collections/wh...
FOLLOW US!
Find us on Instagram: / aqoutdoors
Find us on Facebook: / aqoutdoors
CONTACT US!
AQ Outdoors and Aquabatics
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) [e-mail]
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) [e-mail]

[@kevinfraser5179]

This is a very on-point breakdown. As a lower intermediate paddler when I first got into a Rewind, it had a lot to teach me. It now feels very stable and predictable, helping me progress my river running confidence.

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for checking out the video and for the comment.. so stoked the rewind is treating you well. I do love that boat

[@romerobinson8279]

It’s crazy how capable a dagger rewind is for river, running and creeking. I feel like it’s the best all around boat that you can buy. You can creek (with the right amount of skill), river run, stern squirt, and it surfs great

[@AQOutdoors]

Agreed. I love the rewind as a quiver killer boat .

[@brentwade9346]

Great review - I especially like the anecdotal nature. I've been in each of these, and depending on your weight range, I think you need to jump sizes to optimize each design. I'm 205, 6'2. All three were comfortable - the Dagger being the most, then the Jackson, then the Ripper. I know exactly how I like Pyranha outfitting set up, so I can adjust and make it very comfortable and functional for me, but in their stock set-up, the fish is less comfy of the three. In my size and weight range my preferences were the Ripper 2.0 in Large, the Rewind in Medium, and the Antix 2.0...well, not at all, really. I like Jackson boats, but the Antix 2.0 M didn't float me well, and the L is one of the most boring experiences I've had in a kayak. The Rewind L was also more like paddling a full-on creeker than a slice. The Ripper 2.0 Large is the most fun river runner/play boat I've tried yet. It has plenty of volume in the bow to push over big waves and holes, holds a line well, and has WAY more initial and secondary stability than the original Ripper. It drops the tail very easily for such a long boat, but you have to watch your depths ;-). It has retired my RMX86 for all my river running. I would highly suggest anyone weighted well for the Rewind M to give the Ripper 2 L a demo - the only thing I preferred about the Dagger was the couch-like outfitting. I tried the Firecracker 242 - definitely more stable than the Ozone L. At the time, I was paddling a LL Hot Whip. Pyranhas fit me better than LL, but the boats were very comparable, with the Firecracker being more fun surfing and a little easier to stern load. I did prefer how the Hot Whip held its edge - it felt closer to my SuperNova in a held lean...smooth, but locked in. The Pyranha was still a little crisper and sharper feeling when edging, which is the nature of those boats. I was going to order a custom 252, but with the R2L and SuperNova, I feel I have the perfect quiver for my needs. The Hot Whip and Firecracker are kind of their own niche - 1/2 Half Slices...kind of akin to the Soul Glide.

[@simoncoward5955]

Thanks so much for thr detailed insight Brent, that is super valuable for us and viewers. Always stoked to hear thoughts from people who have tried so many boats. Thanks again mate!

[@stuartreedsadventures]

Agree on all points. Have a rewind, nearly got a ripper 2 but in some cases was almost too playful

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for the insight and for checking out the video.

[@mr9246m]

Totally agree on this. I have to say the large antix 2.0 was a disappointment for me. The 1 was just more fun and I'm glad I kept mine. The rewind is a very special and rewarding boat to paddle.

[@simoncoward5955]

Thansk so much for checking out the video and for the comments. It is interesting how some boats miss the mark when scaling up or down in soze from the medium models. The Axiom was a great example of the small and medium being great, but the large was not good at all. We have heards similar around the Ripper 2.0. Thanks again for commenting

[@davidgoodenough2912]

Hi there. I'm looking to get a boat for river running/park & play. Would the description of how these half slices paddle be comparable to my slalom boat? As in the talk about needing edge control and grabby tails match the kind of slalom feel. I'd just like to find something to head down the river that won't go crunch on every rock and need repair for a 98kg paddler!

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for checking out the review and questions.. I would say the boat that feels the most similar to a slalom boat in this group is the Rewind. That is purely personal but the design lends itself to that slalom feeling downriver paddling. I think of all the plastic half slices I've paddled the Ripper 1 from Pyranha is the most slalom feeling boat but harder to come by than the new boats in this review. Hope that helps!

[@davidgoodenough2912]

@@AQOutdoors brilliant that helps hugely. Finding a Ripper 1will be tricky but will hunt down a Rewind for a try. Thanks for the reply and many many excellent videos that have helped my paddling confidence no end 🙌

[@AQOutdoors]

@@davidgoodenough2912 our pleasure and thanks so much for the kind words. We will continue to try and create helpful content... good luck in the plastic boat search..

[@hollowsiva]

Hi there, thanks for the video and comparison, noticed a paddler mentioned of 135 pounds at 5ft 6? how was its for that paddler for the Antix and Rewind?

[@AQOutdoors]

The 135 lb paddler tried allmof the mediums. At that size and weight you can go either way with a medium or small in all the models. The small.option in all the brands is a more playful and less forgiving option, medium for paddlers of that size will be less playful though more capable and stable on the river running side of things.

[@hollowsiva]

@AQOutdoors how about the stern squirts on the medium? Was it hard for the small paddler?

[@AQOutdoors]

@@hollowsiva in the Ripper 2.0 medium still pretty easy, the antix and the rewind a bit more challenging. However, this particular paddler is a class v boater and very strong for her size so could do it no worries. With all the boats oif you move the seat back a bit it makes squirting much easier, then for river running you can bump the seat forward for more stability..

[@hollowsiva]

Thank you so much for answering my question! Love the videos!@@AQOutdoors

[@AQOutdoors]

@@hollowsiva our pleasure. Thanks for continuing to watch and for the kind words.

[@RobPollen]

what about the fire cracker?

[@AQOutdoors]

Thanks for checking out the video. We haven't had a chance to paddle the firecracker yet. I have a few friends who have paddled it and it looks super fun. I would almost put it in a different category like the dagger nova or supernova. Although the Nova series is more of a full slice the firecracker is more playful than a half slices reviewed in this video. We will do a firecracker review as soon as we get our hands on a demo

[@ChrisHipgrave]

Chris from Pyranha here. The Firecracker goes up against the Antix for sure but is otherwise in a different class than the 9ft half slices. I like to say that the Ripper 2 is a river runner that plays while the Firecracker is a playboat that can river run. They are VERY different experiences .... for good reason. Look forward to AQ's review once they get a chance to get them on the water.

[@AQOutdoors]

@@ChrisHipgrave thanks so much for the info Chris! Really looking forward to getting a demo to try next year..