Tech Specs
At 5’11” and 160 lbs, the Medium Ripper has been my weapon of choice so far this season. At 62 gallons, the boat feels as though it is a perfect fit for my size. The Ripper is just a touch under 9 feet long, qualifying it for the short boat race class. At a mere 24.5″ wide, the Ripper easily transitions from edge to edge, making ferry moves and carving across a green wave a breeze. The narrow profile does have its downsides, however, as the boat is far from stable or forgiving. The boat features an aggressive planing hull with sharp rails. When engaged, these make for an incredibly responsive ride. The boat can turn on a dime or easily make the hardest of ferry moves. The low volume stern is playful, but not too much so. It can be difficult to sink without a strong eddyline, but once down, it is very easy to hold in a squirt.
On the Water
Having paddled the Ripper on a variety of runs, from our class II-III town run to the Grand Canyon at high flow to the class V Vallecito Creek, the Ripper lives up to its name. This boat RIPS down the river. It is incredibly fun to paddle. It is fast (faster than the Braaap, Matt!) and responsive, making it a perfect kayak for the under 9′ race class. With plenty of bow volume and rocker, the Ripper rides high and dry through tough whitewater. The 9R-esque bow rocker makes the boat easy to boof and the kick rocker in the stern helps the boat accelerate away from drops.
