by Barb Gronseth
The new Scupper 16 provides a stable platform with speed for those who want performance and safety from a sit on top kayak. The sixteen foot version of this design joins the line from Swell Kayaks with the Scupper 14 and Scupper 12.
Paddling a sit-on-top kayak has many advantages and the Scupper 16 proved that and then some! My first trip in the Scupper 16 was at our local area Lake Sammamish State Park Boat Launch in Issaquah Washington. I first learned to paddle in a sit-on-top style like the Swell Scupper 16 and was excited to try it! The profile of the kayak is very sleek but is wide enough under the seat to provide great stability without compromising speed.
I was able to slide the boat off the car roof top and launch from the boat ramp.
Kayaks are built for specific size ranges, I am 5’6 150 and felt like someone up to 6’1 190 might be the maximum weight. A smaller person than me can paddle it too but it may depend on their hip dimensions as to how comfortable it is and if they can get the rudder pedals adjusted to fit.
There was a light breeze in the cove and I practiced without putting the rudder down paddling distance, reverse and turning. It is very easy to turn keeping the kayak flat and it is possible to do a little more advanced and quicker turning by edging the kayak (lifting it with your hip and knee pressed on one side) like you can do in a sit inside kayak.
Some of the features on the kayak are unique. A sit on top has these holes that run from the seat and foot area through the hull to the water. Some people complain about them because a little water can come up through them while you are paddle especially if you are too heavy for the kayak since you are sitting really low in the boat. They are actually designed to self drain while you are paddling the kayak when it is choppy or rough water conditions. Swell designed plugs that can be hand adjusted for self draining or not. Really nice.
The only downside is that when they are plugged they sit a little below the hull and created drag so the kayak goes slower. So if you are trying to make some miles I would choose to have them up and get wet.
The seat is comfortable and similar to many sit on tops. What makes a seat comfortable is the lumbar support, some padding and getting the foot braces adjusted correctly so that your knees are slightly bent and you can put pressure on them. The key to paddling comfortably is having all those points of contact, sit upright (you’re not on a couch) lumbar, foot brace so you can easily rotate and plant your paddle in the water while you are putting pressure on the foot on the same side you planted your paddle.
I was just going out for an hour so I didn’t take any extra gear but the hatches have lots of room for extra gear and snacks in a day hatch right between your legs. There is also a well or depression in the stern that you can put fishing gear in that is easy to get reach.
I like the boat it’s Swell but I think they named the company after an ocean Swell which is series of ocean surface waves that were not generated by the local wind. The evolution of the scupper design was originally based on the first ocean kayak which Tim Niemier designed in the 1981 as the first rotomolded sit-on top. View a timeline of the development of the modern scupper here Scupper History
I’d recommend attaching grab handles that are attached by a cord. The kayak is 60 or more lbs. so my goal was to minimize lifting it!
MSRP $2,066.00 with a rudder
By Barb Gronseth
Barb is co-owner of Kayak Academy in Issaquah and has been kayaking for decades and teaching classes for the community. Kayak Academy is a licensed Kokatat Drysuit and Drytop repair center.
Here is another video, this one comparing the older Scupper Kayak to the new Swell Scupper 14 by Dan with Headwaters.