The Shuttle Drive | Episode #7 | Part 1 Best Half Slice "With Matt Wallin"

[@WadeHarrison]

👇👇👇Get boats in the pod with Link Below👇👇👇 coloradokayak.com/?ref=wade

[@DownstreamV]

Appreciate the support everyone. Keep the comments coming, we enjoy answering any questions and even if they are disagreements, it’s all for fun and the better of the boating community!

[@WadeHarrison]

Exactly ☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻

[@mountainhobbit1971]

Matt have you reviewed the Pyranha Ozone small yet??

[@DownstreamV]

@@mountainhobbit1971 I haven’t done a review yet. I have paddled one a decent amount but it was last year before I started the channel. It is on my list in the near future!

[@WadeHarrison]

@@mountainhobbit1971 he should ask the dude selling it if he can demo it for a weekend to help sell the boat

[@oscoastierob]

(This Is Matt’s brother Rob) As far as the Large Rewind, I paddled the prototype for a while and provided Snowy input (as an actual large paddler) for the final design and currently paddle the production model. I can tell you that the prototype was quite a bit more playful, it was 9’1”. However I honestly prefer the production model. Since I use the Rewind as my creek boat/ all around boat I think the extra length makes the boat a lot better in bigger drops and water for someone my size. I will also say that moving the seat around changes the dynamic of the boat dramatically, at 270lb I can easily throw the boat around with the seat all the way back. But since I’m using the boat as a creek boat I run the seat as far forward as it will go (but I can still stern squirt it easily on a decent eddyline). I actually carry the wrench around with me in the boat and move the seat around on different runs to make it more playful. The optimal paddler weight for the Large is also 220-265lbs they were shooting for an awesome all around boat for an actual large sized paddler, it is a true large boat. There’s a misconception about large boats in general, most of them are designed for larger mediumish sized paddlers who want a little more volume etc and don’t really work that well for an actual large sized paddler. It’s easy for a smaller person to hop in a larger boat and outfit it to fit them and paddle it but a lot harder if you’re a big person and the “large” boat isn’t really designed for you.

[@WadeHarrison]

Wow solid feedback Rob yeah your in the very small percentage of paddlers that can use that boat to it’s potential

[@oscoastierob]

@@WadeHarrison for an all around boat for a big person like me, Dagger really nailed the design. If I could only be allowed to have one boat the Large Rewind would be it. It’s funny because us large paddlers have a lot of the same issues as the small paddlers but on the totally opposite end of the spectrum. I’ve been a big guy since I was a teenager and have been cramming myself in boats that are too small for me for a long time and it’s very frustrating sometimes.

[@travislangolf7800]

Love this,really enjoy your realistic opinions .

[@WadeHarrison]

Thanks I want to do some more soon

[@AndrewMoizer]

Wade, thanks for all these podcasts, and Matt for joining in. Had 11 hours of driving yesterday to pick up a new (to me) (sea) kayak and listened to all of these (from Apple Podcasts). Made the drive go better and the terrible traffic through Toronto less frustrating. Great to get more background and insight into all these boats from you both. Keep it going.

[@WadeHarrison]

wow thanks Andrew I appreciate you listening I will have some more dropping over the next few weeks

[@TheOfficialDOP]

Such a great review on half slices. Rewind is my next boat to put in my quiver.

[@WadeHarrison]

Totally agree with that one ☝🏻

[@cameroncunningham4520]

Haha Wade I just came across your podcast, I had no idea you did them. Awesome stuff man. I’ll see ya on the river!

[@WadeHarrison]

@@cameroncunningham4520yeah have not drop one in awhile but love doing them the early ones are pretty brutal but found a good groove late ones

[@cameroncunningham4520]

Been looking for a medium antix before Gauley. I’ve run it enough in a Loki and looking for a good half slice and this popped up. Love it! Cheers bud

[@joshhughes1319]

Really enjoying these and super impressed by the rate at which you are cranking them out!

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah it’s been a work In progress try to figure out what works best thanks for the compliments

[@earlalderson6750]

Funny to hear Matt mention my question on the show. So much fun to hear you guys talk boats and paddling! Keep up the good work!

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah there will be more episodes coming on this I really like doing the shuttle drive thing it’s a change up for awhile but I still will have reviews and paddling uploaded thanks for watching earl and if you like this type of content give it a share on social media always appreciate the shares

[@TheKaneli13]

I would like to see you talk about some older half slices like braaap, axiom or rpm even

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah I have a someone coming on that has paddled a ton of old school boats should be a fun episode

[@isaacchrisman7528]

I’ve heard the party braaap doesn’t have enough edge. My personal opinion of the axiom is that it doesn’t have enough bow to have as much fun as a ripper or rewind. The rpm just doesn’t compare because of how little bow rocker and general volume it has

[@WadeHarrison]

@@isaacchrisman7528 all very good points about the older models

[@matustrencansky6435]

I love to watch your reviews and now listening to podcast. Love this part about half slice boats. Finally owning Rewind and I love it. I'm not regret to replace my Axiom. Bow rocker just improve my boof so much. I moved my seat 2cm/nearly 1inch back from centre and it's sweet spot for having fun but still not experience stern squirt through big stopper. Only one thing i will pointed out is that you drop these podcast nearly everyday. Listening loads of mtb podcasts i would say dropping new episode once per week is good spread to keep it interesting and not overwhelming listeners.

[@WadeHarrison]

Thanks for the feedback Matus yeah It’s been a work in process and I wanted to build up a library and then when I find the flow better I’m going to drop it to once a week or no weekly but because they are on iTunes and Spotify the library is there I list to podcast a lot also on a wide range of topics and will scoll through and listen to any of them that peaked my interest

[@bradcolville9620]

I am that large paddler that maxes out all of my boats...leg length, foot size, weight. I paddle a Super Fun, Monstar, Villain Large, and Axiom 9.0. I chose the Axiom for a 2020 Grand Canyon trip that I was unfortunately unable to attend. At the time I was choosing between the Antix 1 and the Axiom. I'm a Jackson fan as they've made the best boats for a paddler my size up to that point. The Axiom was far more comfortable and that made my choice for me. The boat is fast and fun to paddle. Large Rewind just came out this year, but I feel that may have been my choice if it was available. Now that the Axiom is no longer in production if I were to buy a new half slice I'd be interested in a big guys perspective between the Jackson and the Dagger.

[@WadeHarrison]

antix 2.0 large if you really want to play the river hard with pretty Good River running LG rewind if you want a really good river running surfing and downriver flowing boat but not as easy to play both are really good choices also look at the waka Steeze if you get a chance

[@bradcolville9620]

@@WadeHarrison I appreciate the response very much! Glad to know that I can also consider the Steeze which I thought would most likely be too small. Agree on the Rewind being kept to 9 feet which is what the Axiom is. Maybe Dagger wanted to keep compensate for the rocker/keep more speed. I also wanted you and manufacturers to remember that there are truly large kayakers out there. Enjoy your videos and seeing the variety of rivers you have in your neck of the woods. Regards.

[@smuir6104]

For low water would your order change? I live in Utah, and I'm thinking maybe the antix 2, Goat is too big, rewind just too long in the tail for the rivers here

[@WadeHarrison]

Love the Antix 2 in low water short tail squirts anytwhere

[@DarkNinja1101]

What size rewind would you recommend for a ~70-74kg person. It's at the upper limit of the small, which I've demod and enjoyed how maneuverable it was down river, but I would be concerned about the medium feeling bloated and sluggish in comparison. I currently paddle a medium z.one which has been great up to about gd4+ but am looking for something with a little more bow volume and rocker to get through larger features better, the small rewind is a few litres smaller than the medium z.one so not sure if the rocker would be enough to give the improvements I'm looking for going through bigger features and drops. I really don't want to lose the easy of maneuverability that the z.one has down river so advice would be welcome. Thanks

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah that’s the in between of small medium I would suggest go medium move the seat all the back

[@mountainhobbit1971]

I am with Matt on the Dagger colors...I mean what the heck are they thinking?? It reminds me of the 90's for some reason. I like any reviews of small kayaks Matt. Thanks guys.

[@WadeHarrison]

Sean I hoping I will have the Dagger Product Manger "The guy that approves the colors" on very soon so is there anything you want me to ask him?

[@mountainhobbit1971]

@@WadeHarrison LOL! nah...they have their reasons for these new color patterns and I know there are people out there that love the new colors and patterns.

[@jimhepburn1519]

Hey Wade, please ask Scott Byers why they cut the classic lime green out of the lineup.?.? Seems like an interesting move in the name of brand identity since it has always been a classic Dagger creeker color going back to the CFS. I would personally love to hear if there is any plan to bring it back in 2022 so I can decide if I should pass on my long awaited Jan. 2021 Code order... Really liking the podcast as it fills a nice gear centric niche. Cheers!

[@WadeHarrison]

@@jimhepburn1519 for sure because I’m a huge fan of the lime also

[@jimhepburn1519]

Much appreciated! Glad to hear that you are a team green diehard as well. I’m feeling closer than ever to realizing my greedy and superficial dream of my lime Mamba and lime Phantom producing a lime offspring…

[@antoinejellimann8179]

Have you ever try Spade kayak ? I think the Joker is their half slice model. A new brand of course but some good feedback on it. Will be happy to know what you think of it

[@WadeHarrison]

I would love to try boat like that but pretty much impossible to get those here in the USA

[@kevinhill.8]

Two quick suggestions for those of us who listen via podcast. 1) Add episode numbers to the title (not description, and preferable at start of title) to make it easier to find, share and discuss episodes. 2) Try to describe what you are seeing or showing on your screen for those who aren’t viewing. For example, this episode had a few times where you were taking about “look at how this area looks wide” (or something like that), without describing what area you are talking about. Thx, and keep up the great work. Really looking forward to Pt 2 of this discussion.

[@WadeHarrison]

One thing apple does not like is when you put episode numbers as the first thing in your title so I try to by what they said in the agreements when signing up for it. But will look into ways to make it easier. Oh for sure I try to explain what I'm talking about but get caught up in just conversation and forget that its going to be audio only later. I have made mental notes about this. But yeah it happens.

[@kevinhill.8]

@@WadeHarrison that’s wild about Apple not wanting it to start w episode numbers. ☹️ Maybe too hard on their systems to have so many w same exact beginning to titles. Yeah, I can see how it would be easy to forget that some are not seeing. Maybe easier with time. Thanks for trying! 👍🏼

[@SpecialBeaterService]

Does the LL Sweet Ride make the list or alter the running order now you’ve reviewed it Wade?

[@WadeHarrison]

It’s In that river running half slice not a true HalfSlice so yes and no

[@tommyb9746]

260-270lb paddler - looking into half slices, was looking at ripper, then you guys had me thinking i wanted a rewind. any insight for large models?

[@WadeHarrison]

Waka Steeze LG Antix LG Ripper LG Rewind all will work at your weight forget the Braap Glad or Chilli

[@DennyT71]

Question,, I'm a big paddler. 6'2" 6'3" and 240lbs I just ordered a Zen 3.0. What can you tell me about that boat? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.I ordered the large because of my size.

[@WadeHarrison]

I have paddled the Z3 I need to do officially review on one but it’s a super stable and forgiving kayak perfect for starting out

[@JesAmacher]

Matt- Terrapin is out of Athens, GA

[@WadeHarrison]

Yup!

[@kevinhill.8]

This episode is so good I just listened to it a second time! I also came up w two more suggestions for future comparison episodes: 1) Discuss SURFING as its own category. It’s really not the same as playability (tailees, splats, cartwheels, etc.) since a boat might surf great but not do “slicey play” well at all. Plus, some people just love to surf and paddle down river, but don’t play/slice a lot, and they would probably dig some discussion just on how well they surf, and what kinds of waves they excel on. 🌊 🏄‍♀️ 2) Matt mentioned the cost of a Goat after taxes. I think you guys should always discuss MSRP since taxes vary so much from state to state (here in OR we pay zero sales tax! 🤑). Also, that way everyone is comparing apples to apples when talking boat prices, not MSRP sometimes and prices after taxes others. Kind of nitpicking, I know, but only in interest of continuous improvement, and I don’t feel too bad after hearing Snowy refer to Wade as the NP because of his reputation for nitpicking when at Dagger. 🤣 ✌🏼

[@WadeHarrison]

Good feedback and yeah will cover all them next time will include surfing and your right about taxes different from state to state

[@smuir6104]

For people going from Antix 1 to an antix 2.0 my biggest concern was the speed, would it be fast enough. The Ozone was so much faster than the 1.0. Antix 1 that was my major complaint is it is slow. The Antix 2 however almost felt like a different boat. so much faster than the 1.0. you saying it is slow compared to some of the others makes me want to paddle them now. For me I loved how the 2.0, surfed and played really well, it just felt easy.

[@WadeHarrison]

I really liked the Antix 2 also

[@mikewillifordjr]

Solid guys!!!!! Shoestring outfitting 4 the win😂😂😂

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah that’s what I seen when I first seen a Jackson boat I was like wth is this?

[@mikewillifordjr]

@@WadeHarrison first time I heard you call them “shoestrings” I spit my coffee out😂

[@WadeHarrison]

@@mikewillifordjr 🤣

[@patrickbusche5665]

Again, great Video, thanks a lot, But just one question. I'm not living near any kind of sick river, but next to the baltic sea. And want to use any halfslice or fullslice for sea wave surfing and playing. It is another Perspektive twords this theme, asked some dealers but they recommented me crossovers. What do you think ?

[@WadeHarrison]

If your looking to surf a crossover is now a good choice. Yes a HalfSlice or full slice is way to go unless you just want a full on surf boat. And look for the boat with the most edges because you will need them for craving.

[@patrickbusche5665]

@@WadeHarrison thank you ..👍 thinking about Ozone Large, better for playing as Well..

[@NoahMcCully333]

I love your video's they are so helpful!

[@WadeHarrison]

Hey thanks Noah for watching/listening

[@tmacoutdooring1837]

Count me among the “10s of fans” of the cast. I studied hard on 1/2 slice market before deciding rewind seemed the most well rounded but as y’all stated there’s narry to be found. Settled for a axiom 8.5 in good shape. Know it’s an older model but any thoughts or recommendations about the vessel would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the good content, paddle on🤘

[@WadeHarrison]

Thanks for watching buddy and yes the Rewind is by far the most well rounded of the bunch

[@oscoastierob]

The Axiom is a great design, the Rewind is basically a tweaked version of the Axiom. I paddled an Axiom for years as my main all around boat. The few complaints I had with the Axiom they fixed with the Rewind (added step out pillar, more bow rocker, more playful stern, creek seat instead of playboat seat). But honestly the Axiom still hangs in there pretty good honestly.

[@tmacoutdooring1837]

@@oscoastierob thanks for the feedback Rob. I’ll continue to search the interwebs for a rewind. Maybe I’ll find a medium in the next few years😁 hopefully I’ll have gotten the beater out of me by then and can use it properly.

[@oscoastierob]

@@tmacoutdooring1837 btw, I’m Matt’s older (sometimes wiser) brother. We’ve both been paddling a LONG time.

[@kieranmcleay2682]

Could you do video on the scorch too the code

[@WadeHarrison]

Yes coming soon and hopefully can get my buddy on that like me has good experience in both boats. right now there’s no one I know that has been paddling both..

[@kieranmcleay2682]

@@WadeHarrison ok mate would be dope

[@kieranmcleay2682]

@@WadeHarrison ye I understand that thank you again for a good video

[@trevortimm2443]

Another hour plus of gold 😂

[@WadeHarrison]

Thanks buddy

[@АндрейСугак-й7х]

Hey, great episode, enjoying the podcast very much. Just wanted to ask, do you think steeze would be a decent river runner for someone who is ~225? I've heard multiple times that although wakas are big boats, they are designed for average/smaller paddlers to kinda float very high.

[@WadeHarrison]

Quick answer YES I have a friend that’s like 6’4” and about 225 and loves that boat for everything the steeze is not small it’s crazy someone like aniol paddled it so long

[@owenhedicker2763]

So hard to decide.. I changed my mind about 10 times through the episode on which one to get!

[@WadeHarrison]

We want to try to give what our experience with each models were and they all seem to do something’s really good and some just ok

[@WadeHarrison]

Next episode will be ripper party braaap chilli gladiator 2.0

[@owenhedicker2763]

@@WadeHarrison the episode was great for explaining the benefits of each one…. So will definitely help with choice. Just can’t decide what I need/want more.. changes on the day..

[@dangerjudy5334]

What do y'all think about the Bees Knees thingy

[@WadeHarrison]

Me and Boyd Covered those I that episode He paddles for Jackson and I think helped with them so if you check that episode out we talked about them I actually except what Jackson has put up.

[@Badinboarder87]

I think Alex Barnam (sp) did an episode about the Waka grab handles where he tested them. Apparently they wanted the rubber handles to give so it woudn't rip the boat apart, but they didn't put a washer on there, so the rubber just slides around the screw head and pops right off. If it had the same load capabilities as the metal ones, but it flexed before it ripped off your boat, that would be nice. A little warning before you fawk up your boat trying to z-drag it. But, alas, it isn't as strong. Maybe it would be with washers.

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah its crazy me and Alex went back and forth on this topic few years ago when Wakas were really starting to take off here in the USA and its funny waka still hanging in there with those handles. Its like one of the best designed kayaks on the market today and they want to do something as trivial as a plastic handle which I have seen everyone from retailers to paddlers disagree with this practice. Now I'm starting to think its like EGO thing where someone at waka is like nope! I'm right and every single retailer and kayaker out there is wrong?

[@Badinboarder87]

@@WadeHarrison more like a Super EGO

[@WadeHarrison]

@@Badinboarder87 👍

[@kevinhill.8]

I’m in agreement that the grab handles should be upgraded to full metal (I believe they are plastic w a metal core now), but I will say that I’m pretty sure they started putting washers on them. My Billy has washers on then anyway, and I recall from Barham’s Waka Outfitting video that they didn’t back then.

[@WadeHarrison]

@@kevinhill.8 they are full plastic and I had a conversation with Waka kayaks Owner/designer I will cover that on the next episode.

[@yakob.simpson]

Oh boy I’m excited for this one

[@WadeHarrison]

There is way to much to cover in one sitting so there will be more on this soon

[@andyschmidt6070]

I’ve been rewatching tons of reviews, and man, I could use a little advice. If you wouldn’t mind shedding some insight, I’m a ~190 guy who prioritizes downriver play, but still wants to get through some hairy spots with confidence. Would the large antix 2.0 be worth considering? Or would you recommend the medium rewind / medium antix 2.0?

[@WadeHarrison]

Definitely not the medium Antix 2 at 190 The perfect balance would be the rewind medium do not get the large at your weight I’m 185 and love the downriver and playing of the medium rewind I did jump in a large Antix 2 and it was ok just really big around the knees and felt like it was way to wide but was still playful on the tail so my suggestion is rewind Medium first and Antix 2 large second

[@andyschmidt6070]

@@WadeHarrison Beautiful, now I just need to find one. Thank you for helping me out! Your advice/gospel is much appreciated.

[@jonnynails]

@@andyschmidt6070 I'm 205lbs and echo what Wade said. I own both a medium Rewind and a large Antix 2.0. The Antix 2.0 large is still playful, but not as playful as the medium Rewind at my weight. The Antix helps me feel more confident running class 4 and still being able to stern squirt, splat and surf some. The Rewind plays really well but can get spicy quick. It's ashame, I wish the large Rewind wasn't sooo big. A giant boat.

[@corypeterson8908]

Cant wait to get my antix on some creeks

[@WadeHarrison]

It’s fun boat

[@JerKayaks]

Wade: I hate that you had to sell your rewind Me: 👀 That rewind is my new favorite boat haha

[@WadeHarrison]

Lol

[@WadeHarrison]

Your thinking of matt I still have my rewind buddy he told me he sold it tp you mine is solid Green

[@JerKayaks]

@@WadeHarrison ahh yeah I meant you telling Matt that you hate that he sold his haha! Still tho, love that boat

[@WadeHarrison]

@@JerKayaks yeah you will get more use out of it

[@ch678able]

It's a Shakespearian quote. The actual quote: "The jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one." lol

[@WadeHarrison]

Haha story of my life!

[@josh8058]

Ever paddled a party mullet?

[@WadeHarrison]

I did paddle the mullet yes I thought it was ok I know LL just dropped it out of its line up

[@TheSteepness]

I love my party braaap!

[@WadeHarrison]

IT’s seriously instant classic

[@matthewdunlea875]

Can your do a party braaap Vs goat segment or just tell me your thoughts on the differences between the boats

[@WadeHarrison]

Next episode I will cover the party braaap

[@Hakudog5]

You may or may have noticed but I kind of harp on about big guys (200-275lbs) not getting a ton of love in the kayak industry. Between you and Matt you guys have the small and medium sizes covered for reviews but it would be great to find someone who fits squarely in the large category to accompany your reviews. I'm not really there and am in a completely different region...but there has to be a big guy that is a great boater and can give input like you guys.

[@WadeHarrison]

I’m closest to large then med I go back and forth I’m 185-190 o do have a buddy that’s coming on that 220 and only paddles larger boats he has a lot opinions on that

[@FeWolf]

Green for the Win!, looking forward to next reviews, Would like to check out GOAT, but my arse is 200lbs

[@WadeHarrison]

Have you tried the Steeze?

[@FeWolf]

@@WadeHarrison No I have not, I have yet to see one in person, I live Central NC, low water , rock garden country.

[@webb_11]

Another great podcast guys! I’ve got my ripper but looking at replacing my Machno with a Code (if I can get one) or a Scorch, what would be your guys perfect quiver?

[@WadeHarrison]

That would be a good episode like what would be the best quiver of kayaks..

[@webb_11]

Yeah would be great to see that buddy! 👍

[@huntergipson3447]

I’ve got a Scorch, Antix, and HomeSlice and haven’t even wanted another boat in a while now. The Code looks good - sounds like a hard pick between the Scorch and Code for top creek boat for now 🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@webb_11]

@@huntergipson3447 Nice quiver of kayaks 👍Yeah I really can’t decide on the Scorch or Code 🤔 both look like great boats! How you liking the Scorch?

[@huntergipson3447]

@@webb_11 thanks man ! So far I’ve loved the Scorch I just haven’t had much water the last 45 days or so to get it out. Went straight out west and ran on the Poudre for a week, loved it out there so I know it’ll be great in AR (if it ever rains lol) I did take the seat pad out and put a Sweet Cheeks 100, used 4 strips of Velcro and it’s even better IMO. But I’m a Class 4 and Below paddler so far so I ain’t the guy to give reviews 😂😂

[@matthammer3289]

Which one do you guys think is the fastest?

[@WadeHarrison]

out of this group I liked the Goat over the md rewind But tune in to part 2 and will do a complete line up

[@davew404]

I think it’s funny how defensive people get when discussing their half-slice of choice. Once, I thought a kid wanted to fight me on the river because I commented that I preferred the Party Braaap to the Rewind. I don’t think I have ever seen boaters as protective on anything as they are on their favorite half-slice.

[@WadeHarrison]

hahhah so true its a like a lot of this football teams trucks ect people get on teams and feel your insulted them if you like something different

[@aldraxart]

Got my GOAT last week, apparently they changed it, flattened the stern the same way EXO made the Party Rexy out of the Rexy, so I was told. Anyway, got my stern loaded unintentionally a couple of times on my first run. Greetings from Austria!

[@WadeHarrison]

What are you sure? message me a picture of this if you get a chance! I have to see this

[@aldraxart]

@@WadeHarrison Sent it via Facebook

[@WadeHarrison]

@@aldraxart ok

[@talmadgefrazier9922]

@@WadeHarrison I'd like to see the change to the stern as well. Love the hull, but the recessed 'swooping' stern deck stuff is a concern...have enough issues with it loading. Wish Waka would just flatten out the stern deck.

[@kevinhill.8]

@@WadeHarrison any update on this?? ☝🏼 I’m considering a goat right now and would like to know. I’m going to mention it to EG when I talk to him ab placing an order and will let you know if I get any beta.

[@Tvdinner66]

Let's hear about the new Dagger full slice

[@WadeHarrison]

I have some more podcast lined up and will cover that boat some

[@morganjames4534]

Buisness at the front, party at the back..... Hang on ... These things are MULLLETS !

[@WadeHarrison]

Yeah all day

[@richardpowell1389]

Large Ripper all day, everyday.

[@WadeHarrison]

for sure ripper is one the best ever

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

Where’s Joe McCoy?

[@WadeHarrison]

He probably out mountain biking and throwing his knives at trees somewhere 🤔