Scupper Pro or Scrambler?

[shcubasteve]

I’m leaning to the Scupper Pro. What do you all think? The Scupper Pro is 15', the Scrambler is 11'? The Scrambler looks like it has more deck space, but no dry compartment... The Scupper has room for a cylinder/bc rig, but only in the rear compartment... I plan to Dive, Fish, and overnight camp with the boat... The used prices I am looking at are almost the same. Check out pics

Steve

[Silentspear]

I'd go with the scupper too.

[yaudon]

hey shcubasteve, I do kayak fishing tours down here in Miami. In my very honest opinion.... stay AWAY from the scramble. It's resale value is crap. It is a very slow boat and the hull slap is amazingly loud. forget about stealth approach for fishing with the scrambler. Look in the kayak fishing forums and ask the same question and everyone will guide you away from the scrambler. The scupper in the other hand it is one of the best kayaks ever made. It is made for all around use. I personally use a prowler 13 and I love it. I've been camping with it, I go spearfishing and I go fishing with it as well. The prowler 13 is a great option for ME. You can also try the trident 15 with the "rodpod" you can store your rods and speargun conveniently in front of you. Also ocean kayaks this year they have the trident 13 and the trident 11. Both bad ass designs.

Before you go ahead and spend the money, go and test paddles as many models as you can. all kayaks are very different. And the more "upscale" models have a better resale value than the cheap ones.

check craigslist and ebay as well. Good luck.

[Catalyst]

I have the Scrambler XT which is 12' and it is nice but a little slow. Mine has a hatch in front for "dry" storage similar to the scupper pro. From what I have seen the scupper pro is a favorite among the ocean kayak crowd. I am always on the lookout for a used prowler for fishing.
Good luck.

[Ancient Diver]

Hey Man, forget the Scrambler. Crapola. Feces barge. Slow boat to China. Best boat for a spearo is the Trident 15, hands down. Room for everything, huge carrying capacity of 550 pounds, and still one of the fastest boats on the market. Rodpod is great for gun and long fins, right in front of you. Fast boat, which will open up new territory to you. ScupperPro is the Gold Standard that all other dive yaks should be compared against. Great yak. You can get a used on on Craig's List for 550 or so. Ocean Kayak reintroduced the ScupperPro this August, back by popular demand, and can be had for $679 at Silent Sports in Nokomis, about and hour south of Tampa, easy drive, close to I-75. Trident 13 is awesome too, and Prowler 13 is good. If you have the dough, go for Trident 15. You can camp, scuba with multiple tanks, store gear with easy access, and has built in hatch for depth finder. Bitchin' boat.
Will in Sarasota

[Siebler]

The Scrambler 11 is a much better boat than the previous models however as an OK Dealer I wouldnt recommend either of those boats for what you are looking to do. These boats are not very stable and have a low weight capacity. You get some weight on it and suddenly it can get hard to reboard, especially if your inexperienced with doing so. yes the Scupper is a great kayak, one of the best ever designed. But there are much better kayaks out there for diving.

I too suggest looking at the Trident series of kayaks. I love my OK Trident 15. It offers speed, stability, and weight capacity.

Also look at maybe the Malibu kayaks X-13 (http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-767/Malibu-X-dsh-13-Kayak/Detail)

[AndrewG]

I highly recommend the scupper pro. I've tried the scrambler and it tracks poorly and is much slower in comparison. I have the scupper pro with the hatch in front and the tank well in the back and have used it quite a bit as a freedive platform in California and Baja - even on overnight trips. I use a dry bags and you can securely strap one in the tank well. They used to make a scupper pro with a hatch in the back as well, but the tank well is handy for a small cooler. I've never put a scuba tank there, but find it an otherwise useful feature none the less.
I've also loaded the scupper pro with dive gear and yellowtail and it can handle quite a bit of excess weight. Additionally, you can add the rudder if you are serious about cruising longer distances or in cross wind/sea conditions.

[Holy Mackerel]

How big are you? I am asking because I am 6ft 200lbs, and while I can paddle both of these boats, the Scrambler is not an option as a dive platform for me, and Scupper pro is not comfortable, pinches the arse. If you are my size or slightly bigger, look at the Prowler 15, or Trident 15. ( i have not paddled the 13 versions)

chris

[AndrewG]

I realize that you're asking the initial poster, but I'm 6'1" and 200 lb and fit in the Scupper Pro just fine. My friend has borrowed my kayak and he's about 6'5" and maybe 220lb. It can easily handle the weight and I have paddled my boat way overloaded with approx 150# cargo (fish and dive gear) - though it was definitely overloaded and probably not within the recommended capacity. The most I've paddled in a day is probably 8 miles and it tracks well and can handle surf entries just fine. It is too long for surf riding, however, and it will turn sideways and roll eventually (you want a really short kayak for surfing). Get the padded back rest.
I can put a 61" speargun in the front hatch as well as long blade fins, snorkel gear, weights, anchor, food, and water. It's easy to get into and out of and I've even taken a nap on mine while resting between dives.
Perhaps there are other choices in kayak these days, but I've had my Scupper Pro for 13 years and I'd buy another if I needed to replace it.

[Fis_Hunter]

If you want the original poster I am 6 feet about 235 I dive Northern California and use a weight belt that is about 32 lbs for scuba with a 7mm farner john suit. add tank bc etc and you are getting close to the limit up here with a scupper pro.

[calico5]

definitly the SCUPPER. i had one rigged for just fishing rod and reel. it tracks perfect, it's very stable, cuts through the water really fast, has more than enough room to hold your gear, especially in the front hatch. you can put a live bait tank on the rear. mine held about 1/2 scoop of sardines. you can't go wrong with the scupper, it's more than worth the money. you will be more than satisfied. i just wish i did'nt sell mine.

[shcubasteve]

I got the scupper about a month ago off Craig list for 350 including a paddle and a seat. I dont have much to compare to, but this boat is great. Seaworthy as hell, fast even in current. I’ve been putting in at south bridge in Ft Pierce, and the current is a breeze with such a long boat. I weigh in at 210, 6’ and have no problem moving along. I hooked up with a 5’ tarpon which drug me around for a little. No regrets. It is a little shaky side to side, but rides over yacht wakes like nothing. I stood up on a flat day and had to struggle to keep balance… sitting sideways is no problem. I haven’t tried putting a tank in the back, but Im sure it wouldn’t be an issue Maybe in 6 months I would be interested in trading it out for a different yak… anyone interested let me know