Takeout Talk: Gnar vs Scorch vs Machno | Whitewater Kayaking

[@kevinhill.8]

Bobby and Nate share their experiences with a few different whitewater kayaks. Bobby covers the Jackson Gnarvana and Pyranha Scorch, and Nate gives us the newbie take on those two and the Pyranha Machno. Bobby bought a medium Gnar later this same day. 😊🙌🏼 LINKS Lower Wind Boat Recovery: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZvShJx3f56Ad5Y TIMESTAMPS Bobby 0:00 Nate 4:10

[@artfisher1235]

Small Gnarvana is almost an oxymoron, since it is designed to kill it by being huge with huge rocker. Very interesting to hear from a boater on the heavy side of the scale to say he did not feel the rails pre-engaging.

[@kevinhill.8]

It’s definitely at the medium end of small, which is a size that often fits me best. I know a lot of smaller boaters, esp women, who felt the S Gnar was too large bc of this. I ended up in a M Flow, which is only 1” longer than S Gnar, and one of the reasons I like it more is bc the rails are a little more defined/engaged.

[@derichhofmann4667]

I thoroughly enjoy the “depths” of your videos Kevin! The addition of interviews and feedback from others, while always to be taken with a grain of salt as they are just “data points” in the analysis…they make for good insightful entertainment at the very least. Keep ‘em coming brother!

[@kevinhill.8]

Thanks! Well said. Glad it’s at least entertaining. I find it interesting too, and when common themes are stated by a lot of people it begins to lend credence to whatever idea/concept is being put forth. Lots of people can’t demo boats before buying, and I’d certainly rather hear what a bunch of different people have to say about it, than rely solely on promotional material from a manufacturer who is clearly biased.

[@JUANORQUIO]

W❤️W! That’s Awesome And Incredible Adventure! Happy New Year! Cheers!🥂❤️✨

[@kevinhill.8]

🙏

[@absoluteelectricandmainten7432]

Greatly appreciate this review. Especially from the viewpoint of a newer paddler. I am hoping next year to consider and demo 2 or 3 boats and make a long term decision on which boat I ultimately want to paddle. I am looking forward to paddling a Gnarvana, an RMX, and a Code. I currently have an Alpha and LOVE the outfitting. It is so easy to get dialed in, and is super comfortable over an extended paddle time. Thus my hope to demo the RMX. I really like too what I am hearing about in the reviews of the Gnavana. Thus my hope for some seat time in this one too. Keep the reviews coming, they are great brain food for contemplation.

[@kevinhill.8]

Nice! Thx for sharing. It sounds like you are on the right track. Prob can’t go wrong w any of those choices, just need to find what suits your style and preferences. Good luck! 👍🏼

[@followingrj]

Bobby gives me Alex Barham vibes in the sense of how he articulates things when he talks

[@kevinhill.8]

Nice. That’s some high praise bc Barham is pretty articulate ab all things paddling. 👍🏼

[@followingrj]

Hey Kevin I got a question for you. I hear a lot about how great the secondary stability is on the gnarvana, how is the secondary stability on the scorch though compared to the gnarvana?

[@kevinhill.8]

I thought the Scorch had excellent secondary stability. Worth noting though that I’m 135 and was in a M, so ymmv.

[@followingrj]

@@kevinhill.8 I’m 165 on a donut and pastry day so I’m still in the air between the gnar and the scorch, seriously tough decision lol

[@kevinhill.8]

@@followingrj M Gnar will feel bigger than M Scorch, so maybe let that help your decision, depending on if you like boats to feel large or want it to take care of you more (M Gnar) vs being sporty and narrow, but also punishing mistakes (M Scorch). Prob can’t go wrong w either. I’m in Ecuador and I will say I’m more impressed w the Gnar every day. Amazing combo of supportive and predictable while also being very high performance (bow and stern are amazing!). My buddy is in a puffy Steeze and I had to go in front of him bc I was clearly faster, and that’s a Small Gnar (only 8’6”) vs the 9’ Steeze.