WW Kayak Outfitting Shootout: Dagger vs Pyranha vs Waka vs Jackson

[@kevinhill.8]

Deep dive into whitewater kayak outfitting differences between Dagger, Pyranha, Waka, and Jackson Kayak. I tried to be thorough and efficient, but with so much to cover it's a big one; check out the chapter/time-stamps below to jump around if you like. Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments to help us all learn from one another. Thanks for watching. Links Wade's Pyranha Backband Hack video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jInOap6FgMuUrNE Wade's Pyranha Seat Movement video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4Wphq17hrGSgbM My Code vs Scorch video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6mlmYaKmtxpbNU Time Stamps Intro 0:00-0:19 Holes, Dryness, Bolts 0:19-3:13 Grab Handles 3:13-3:58 Bulkheads 3:58-7:18 Count cameo 7:18-7:26 Step-out Pillars & Carrying 7:26-9:35 Seat Storage 9:35-10:55 Thigh Hooks 10:55-12:14 Seat (comfort & moving) 12:14-14:25 Hip Pads 14:25-16:25 Backbands 16:25-17:30 Stern Access 17:30-19:01 Stern Loops 19:01-20:07 JK Ropes (vs ratchets) 20:07-20:50 Drain Plugs 20:50-21:28 What's Included 21:28-21:45 Closing 21:45-21:53

[@geopietro]

Great video. You cover points no one else does. Thank you.

[@kevinhill.8]

I’m glad the video was useful. Thanks for your comment.

[@noel_daniels]

Thank you so much for creating. As someone about to purchase a new kayak this was a great resource.

[@kevinhill.8]

Nice! Glad it was helpful, and thx for letting me know. Hit me up if you have any questions in your hunt for a new boat. 🤙🏼

[@brianswafford3471]

I have been paddling Dagger boats for years and had very few issues with them leaking excessively. When it has happened it was because of the sprayskirt or the bolts needed tightened. Having a good sprayskirt that fits properly makes a big difference. I also check all my bolts and screws about twice a year to make sure they are tight. I currently have a Dagger Phantom that is about two and a half years old. I have paddled it about 70 times and the hull already has a lot of wear but the boat still stays very dry.

[@kevinhill.8]

Thanks for sharing Brian. I've had a number of people tell me their Dagger boats are really dry too, and it's funny how much variation there seems to be. That said, I do stand behind my experience, and the fact that the majority of Dagger owners tell me their boats are leaky too. My wife used to paddle a Mamba, and it leaked more than any boat she's paddled in over 10 years of WW boating. I have two good buddies who paddle Code's now that both leak a lot, and another buddy paddles a Rewind that is one of the leakiest boats I've ever seen. Again, this is all somewhat anecdotal, but has been my experience. As for loose bolts and/or my skirt being the culprit, I'm not buying that one at all for my situation. First, I checked all the bolts to ensure they are snug. I always do this with a new boat, but I double-checked everything after my Code was leaking so much. As for my skirt, I'm using two of the best on the market (IR Klingon Empire and Royale), and they are both 100% dry on every other boat I paddle. I can't explain why some boats are dry and others aren't (and to be fair, this happens outside of Dagger; my Scorch is very dry, and my friend's Scorch is not), but I'm confident it was my Code, not loose bolts, not the skirt, not my dry suit or dry top, etc.

[@rickymcdaniel7971]

I'm paddling an 8 year old Mamba, It stays very dry. Like Brian, I go over it once a year and make sure all of the bolts are tight.

[@dingosbreakfast7001]

I’d be interested in seeing a video on your overnight/ expedition set up (you showed a quick photo of your kit in a couple of watershed bags). Going through kit choice, packing in kayak and potentially food. Thanks for a good review

[@kevinhill.8]

Thanks so much for the idea. Someone else asked ab this just the other day, so I’ll try to make it happen once I’m home from Ecuador. I got a pretty good system dialed in, so def have some thoughts to share.

[@PALSRide]

Good video I’ve got a code and a dagger skirt by palm my boat is very dry I also run my seat forward a bit

[@kevinhill.8]

Glad you enjoyed it. I'm glad your boat is dry, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. What size Code are you paddling, and how's it treating you?

[@PALSRide]

@@kevinhill.8 I’m in a medium and to my surprise I’ve not come out of the boat yet swimming but it’s probably just a matter of time also got a ripper 2 that I’m loving so far

[@kevinhill.8]

@@PALSRide nice! A buddy just got his Lg Ripper 2 and gave me a thorough initial report. He’s loving it too. I was in a medium for a few minutes on the water the other day and it was clearly too big, so I’ll be waiting for the small, which is the last size they are making. At least they are making three sizes though.

[@mikej4538]

Liked the video. Would like to have had some Indian John Island/rapids identification. Also just past the island on some maps is Indian John park.

[@kevinhill.8]

Thx! Are you referring to Indian Jim Campground on the Feather? I can’t recall what river(s) are shown in the video. 🤔

[@mikej4538]

Sandy river before Oxbow park

[@kevinhill.8]

@@mikej4538 that’s interesting. Where in the video (time) is that? I haven’t paddled any of the Sandy sections below Sandy Gorge (i.e., below Revenue bridge) in almost a decade, so I don’t know how any footage of Dodge to Oxbow would be in this video, but I could def be mistaken. Thx

[@brianluisi7616]

Within the first 90 days i broke the stitches on the backband, i love jackson and their customer service is a 10, but i broke the plastic holding the stern support, jackson plastic is so soft, my buddy cracked the plastic on the boat were the thigh braces connect, ohh yea boofed a rock which everyone in my group did, but my jackson got a 3 inch tear.

[@kevinhill.8]

Ugh, sorry to hear that. Unfortunately a lot of my paddling buddies have had similar experiences to you. We had a bunch of people with backband failures, and recently two people had their Gnars crack with no known “incident” causing it. ☹️

[@macfawlty]

This is an awesome outfitting comparison. I just bought a new Medium Antix 2.0. Picked it up and went straight to the river. I set my seat back one notch, moved the backband. Thing is, the foot blocks I had to take out completely to get in the boat. I’m only 5’7” 165lbs and it’s in stark contrast to my Alpha 75 I bought the larger bulkhead plates for to reduce the gap. I’m assuming I can cut the foam down somehow, but it’d be a pretty significant trim. What method would work best? Should I cross cut them to half the depth as well as trim the edges?

[@kevinhill.8]

I don’t understand how you would need to remove (or even trim) the foot blocks at your height. I’m 6’ w a 31” inseam and I didn’t trim mine at all. Everyone I know who is shorter than me had to add foam around the edges to keep the foot blocks snug and prevent wiggling. 🤷🏼‍♂️ If you do cut them I’d recommend using a hacksaw blade. If you remove it from the saw you can bend it to make turns, etc.

[@gleb_altshifter]

Great video, thank you a lot! Quick question. You mentioned that you were selling goat. Can you explain why? I am currently looking for a river running half slice and was considering the goat, would be great to hear your opinion on that!

[@kevinhill.8]

Main issue I had a goat was too little stern rocker. It sits low, esp right behind the hips, and makes it grabby. It’s way better in the Goat than the Billy Goat, but still not ideal. I enjoy my Antix WAY more than I did the Goat. Ymmv.

[@gleb_altshifter]

@@kevinhill.8 But antix has a much shorter stern. Don't you get on your back more often in it?

[@kevinhill.8]

@@gleb_altshifter the Antix is definitely shorter and can get endered easier, but it doesn’t give me much trouble in that way, partly because of proper body position. I also find that because it’s so nimble I can often avoid the stoutest holes that like to backender it. That said, if it’s a run that requires punching a lot of deep holes the Antix would def be the spicier option. 🌶

[@followingrj]

Do you keep 1 or 2 futa bags in your sterns?

[@kevinhill.8]

I always use two, but I’ve started using the NRS stow floats too. They are much lighter than the Futa bags, so when I don’t need them to be able to take a lot of abuse, I prefer them. I’ve been planning to make a video on my multi-day self support setup, just haven’t gotten to it yet.