Jackson Antix 2.0 VS Pyranha Firecracker

[@Tasselfish]

This was the comparison I was waiting for!!! I'm in the market for a new half slice this year and there are just so many good options. I'm excited to try both of these and the ripper 2

[@WadeHarrison]

Yes this was the kayak I was wanting to see it next to the most big thanks to the crew at whitewater express for letting use one of their demos can see the length is close but anyone with design knowledge will know they will paddle very different so I would suggest demo each of these if interested..

[@trevortimm2443]

That side by side spec shot is money. Which boat surfs better? I have many things that I wish the antix was better at but then I get in a wave and remember why I like it.

[@WadeHarrison]

I feel the Antix edges it out on a wave when it comes up full play the FC was really good at front surfs and whips back and forth but struggled on release for the spins

[@BubbleYaks]

This looks like a new southeastern classic, very fun.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah I feel that’s where it’s going to excel at

[@followingrj]

The new yellow/blue color scheme on the Jackson kayaks is 🔥🔥🔥

[@WadeHarrison]

I know right I think that color looks really good as well…

[@huntergipson3447]

Bet that’s a small / steep creeking machine as well - looked great on the Occoee 🤙🏼

[@WadeHarrison]

I think it will definitely fill the gap for a lot of paddlers out there.

[@simonwyndham]

Going to be really interesting to hear how they compare on the water.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah these paddle pretty different actually

[@andreasonline9282]

Dear Wade, can you explain the on-water differences between both for all the moves and which you would prefere.

[@WadeHarrison]

A lot to get into here I will have a podcast covering a lot of these soon LL hot whip Antix 2 and firecracker

[@WildwaterKayak]

Towards the end of the video you were saying it boofs well but when you land the tail get a little funky. Are you meaning just because of the low volume in the back you could get endered?

[@WadeHarrison]

Yes just like with the Antix that tail will get you at times when running certain drops

[@DrRepper]

That's half the fun!

[@maxgover2990]

Hi Wade! Have you tried the seat back a notch in the ripper 2 L yet? I would love to know what you think! Cheers from the uk! Max

[@WadeHarrison]

I will move it when gets warmer out when it’s cold I don’t want to be upside down if can help it

[@goji059]

either looks like a great replacement for my aged Big Easy

[@WadeHarrison]

Oh that’s a classic

[@andrewnau433]

Is there a bow stall/cartwheel possible here, or is that gonna be ozone/loki territory?

[@DrRepper]

That's not really what it's for. Both the Ozone and Loki will slice both ends easily, but this is very much a half-slice

[@WadeHarrison]

No not even close to that

[@shanebbrown]

Love the folks at Whitewater Express!

[@WadeHarrison]

For sure they were super cool to hang with

[@sbaldwin21]

Have you got a preference for either one?

[@WadeHarrison]

I actually like both of these designs the Antix has a great edge for carving and zipping around the river and all round play and FC is I feel is better down river and with rocks and little more playful on the tail for spins and splats so really depends on where i would be going

[@sbaldwin21]

Have you got an on water review coming🤞❤️

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah been really busy but will have something up on that soon

[@DrRepper]

Rocker profile looks sportier on the Pyranha. I'm guessing the Antix is a bit quicker but not as nimble and auto-boofy. With the exception of a couple of designs (Prozone, S7) here and there the boats and the overall quality of Pyranhas post '97 I always felt lagged behind a few others, but they've been pretty-well on the money since Robert Pearson got onboard.

[@WadeHarrison]

Very good observation anyone with somewhat kayak knowledge will know these will paddle very differently..

[@wildcard7799]

From a beginner-intermediate perspective, I thought the firecracker felt less nimble than the antix 2. Probably not having good outfitting on a demo contributed to that. Definitely the firecracker tail felt easier to get down, and it shed rocks better, but overall the antix 2 is hard to beat.

[@mikesadan5641]

Which is more forgiving/stable as a river runner? I'll assume speed is similar...what about the Waka Goat, how would that fit amongst these 3, speed faster, stability??

[@WadeHarrison]

The Antix is more forgiving overall and the goat is a totally different boat all together

[@conorintemann7872]

Thanks Wade! I was hoping you would do this! SYOTR

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah when I had this on I was really curious to see it next to the Antix 2

[@kevinhill.8]

I've always felt that if I could change anything ab the Antix 2.0 it would be to make it just a touch narrower, and w a little more bow rocker. The FC seems to check both those boxes. ✅ ✅ It's also clear that it's a bit narrower behind the hips, which should make it more playful, and I love the sound of slightly higher knees. The knee position in the Antix doesn't generally bother me once I'm boating, but every time I hop in it, esp if I've been in another boat for a while (even the Gnar), it's obvious how low the knee position is, and I don't love it. My previous comment (posted to Wade's walkthrough video), is below for added context. 👇🏼 Almost identical spec to my favorite boat of all time, the M Antix 2.0 (followed closely by the S Ripper 2). We'll see which one performs better though. I love the Scorch bow and the Ozone hull and stern, so this thing might rip! How quickly it tapers behind the hips will be critical. Antix stays very wide, which helps a lot w stability. Ozone tapers quickly, which makes it very tippy if you get over the stern, but also very easy to tailee and rock splat. Firecracker appears to taper less than Ozone, but vs Antix it’s hard to say until they’re side-by-side. I also really like that the sidewalls are angled, not super steep like the Scorch. That’s sim to Antix, and helps boat be forgiving in cross currents. Negatives: The little black rubber caps are ugly, the logo is kind of busy, same old Pyranha outfitting, and I really dislike not having simple S, M, L naming for sizes.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this one when you give it a go because I know you liked ten ozone and Antix 2 and the dots are plastic not rubber they are easily removed and just have screwup there

[@macfawlty]

Your review comps on new vs. recent and similar models is wondering how each manufacturer is answering a model from another, not copying others so much as responding to their own lineup. The bow on the firecracker seems the most unique, seemingly a bit shorter with a slightly more upturn. I gotta say I prefer the Antix bulge behind the cockpit to push it away from a hole and keep the water from piling against the back of your skirt, but these are merely observations by appearance only.

[@WadeHarrison]

Very good observation macfawlty the tail on the FC would drop under and stall unlike the Antix like you seen that hump and width helps push it out

[@macfawlty]

@Wade Harrison just wanted to provide a lead-in for your on-water review. I like the way you tease the quick comps before the on-water.

[@rickthompson6766]

Good one!

[@WadeHarrison]

Was the comparison all needed to see

[@GeorgiaPaddler]

Wish I had known you were in Columbus

[@WadeHarrison]

It was a quick trip I will be coming back down when gets warmer out

[@HB0LT3]

Danny!!!!!

[@WadeHarrison]

Yup