Whether you are a novice or an expert whitewater paddler, when you are running whitewater where flipping isn't a good option, it is great to have a forgiving kayak. But this should not come at the cost of performance. The Pyranha Scorch X aims to be a forgiving, fast, and fun whitewater kayak. So let’s see how it fared in an in-depth, unbiased Pyranha Scorch X review!
Pyranha Scorch X Specifications
Price: $1800 (USD)
Length: 10’
Width: 25.5”
Weight: 54 LBS (45.5 KG)
Capacity: 250 LBS (115 KG)
Best Use: River running
The key features of the Pyranha Scorch X include:
- Full-sized grab handles
- A cut-off stern edge
- Tapered stern volume
- Stern kick rocker
- Sharp, full-length rails
This is a typical Pyranha kayak which means that it is solidly built. Everything from the grab handles to the outfitting is solid.
Comfort
The Pyranha Scorch X is a comfortable boat. I was in it for a few hours and did not have any need to get out. I love the outfitting that comes with Pyranha kayaks.
The seat, thigh hooks, back band, and ratchet system make the Scorch X a very comfortable kayak. It comes with an outfitting kit, including foam, that allows you to raise the height of the seat if you feel you are too low in the boat. With a higher center of gravity, you can get more leverage on the water.
The hip pads come with shims which allow you to shape the boat to fit you perfectly. There is a bulkhead in the bow of the kayak giving you a big platform to rest your feet on. You can even put a pad on the bulkhead to make it more comfortable. All-in-all, comfort wise I loved the Scorch X.
Something to note is that the Scorch X only comes in one size. This fits like the Scorch medium. While I typically use large kayaks, the Scorch X fits me well. It is spacious enough that even paddlers who are slightly larger than me could find it comfortable too!
Another thing to mention when talking about comfort is the comfort of carrying the Pyranha Scorch X. It is not a light kayak, but it balances well on the shoulder which makes it a comfortable kayak to carry.
Stability
Stability is where the Scorch X shines. It is such a stable platform which is surprising given that the Scorch X is no wider than any other whitewater kayak. However, the feeling of stability and confidence you get in this kayak is remarkable, especially when you put it on edge. It is a very confidence-inspiring kayak to paddle.
Performance
The Pyranha Scorch X is a ten-foot-long kayak. That makes it longer and therefore a little faster than most whitewater kayaks. But that extra speed is balanced by the fact that it has lots of rocker (the curvature from bow to stern). Kayaks with lots of rocker lose some speed but gain other benefits when river running.
“Creek-ability”
When river running, because of the rocker and speed of the kayak, you can skip holes and launch off of waves. Keeping the nose of this kayak up is not a challenge at all. It is a boof machine and boofs really well!
The Scorch X is so stable and forgiving. It is ready to run a path and flow through the creek, all you need to do is be ready to brace. So it gets top marks for “creek-ability”.
Playboating
The playboater in me loves having a slicey stern. But that is not what the Scorch X is about. The stern is not something you can sink. This is the type of boat you take paddling in places where you don’t want it to sink. You are not getting it to playboat.
But while the Scorch X is a river runner and not a playboat, you are going to want to surf a wave whilst out on the river. So how does it fare on waves?
Well, it is not a fast surfer because it has so much rocker. But it does catch a lot of waves. That being said, because of the big volume stern, it is impossible to cut the stern under, so once it starts getting taken, you will fall off the wave. It is not a high-performance surf machine in any way, but it was fun!
In a Hole
The Pyranha Scorch X is a boat that is designed to skip over holes and not for you to play in them. That is apparent immediately because when I started side-surfing the Scorch X it was tough to move around. The biggest reason for that is the rocker. When you are on edge, a lot of your boat is in contact with the water. This means that all the water running downstream is hitting a huge area of your kayak and is catching both ends which makes for a bucking and wild ride.
This is not a kayak to play in holes with. It is designed to skip over holes and it does a great job doing so.
Who is the Pyranha Scorch X For?
The Scorch X is suitable for anyone from beginners to expert paddlers. Anyone can jump in this boat and feel comfortable and confident. So it comes down to the type of paddling you want to use it for.
This is a boat designed for lower-volume river running and creek boating. It is not a specialist in big volume and is not a playboat. It is however great for any level of kayaker because it is such a confidence-inspiring and forgiving kayak.
Value
The Scorch X is $1800 (USD) which is more expensive than some other whitewater kayaks. But most whitewater kayaks made of similar materials are in the range of $1600-1900 (USD). So the price is by no means unexpected or outrageous. When purchasing a Pyranha kayak you know that this kayak is solid and they did not skimp anywhere. The outfitting, the ratchet, the safety handles, and even the water bottle holder are quality and solid. So all in all this is a great boat with great value!
Kayak: Pyranha Scorch X
PFDs/Life Jackets: NRS Zen Whitewater Vest
Paddle: Aqua Bound Shred
Paddling Top: NRS Flux Dry Top
Shirt: NRS Guide Short Sleeved Men’s Shirt
Paddling Shorts: NRS Benny Board Shorts
