Alpacka Scout Review

A nice iteration from Thor et al.

For frequent low-flow desert use (Dirty D, Escalante, San Juan, others…) this boat ordered with an 840d floor could make a lot of sense without adding too much weight/bulk. It sure would save a lot of time (re)applying Aquaseal to pinholes.

I’ve had some time to test my Scout on lots of Class II and a single Class III rapid on the Nantahala River. The hull shape is great for easier whitewater like this. It’s really fun to paddle. The boat edges and carves, and can hit eddies and punch moderate holes. It doesn’t have the bow rocker of a Wolverine or Gnarwhal, which limits its hole-punching ability to small or medium Class III holes. Because it’s open, it takes on water and has to be emptied after every  splashy rapid. It takes on noticeably more water than a Classic because the tubes sit lower in the water. It’s also “sportier“ in feel than a Classic.

According to Alpacka’s marketing the Scout isn’t designed for whitewater (get the Refuge instead), but for skilled paddlers interested in occasionally stretching the boat by doing short rapids up to Class III in difficulty, the Scout can be coaxed into it and will perform well.

Good review. Well done.

I own a few Classic Alpackas and have done many trips in them. I’m 5′ 11″ and actually like the smallest size rafts and I just skip the inflatable back band. This summer I picked up a custom Refuge. I generally agree with Ben’s take on the hull design (same as the new Scout). The smaller diameter tubes (10″ on the Refuge/Scout vs 12″ on the Classic) is noticeable and provides a splashier/wetter ride, and the reduced bow rise does mean a bit more water coming over the front, especially if there is a backpack sitting up there. The new hull shape is much (much!) nicer to paddle than the old Scout/Curiyak shapes and offers better tracking and speed. I’d say it actually paddles a lot like the current Classic hulls.

I’m a somewhat recent convert to the cargo zips. For many years I just stuck my pack on the bow and that worked fine for my applications. But eventually I became zip-curious and picked up a Classic with one, and wow, what an improved paddling experience for longer paddles or rough-water stints in the boat. It does complicate the transition from land to water or vice versa a bit, so I only do it if I’m going to be in the boat for an hour or longer. For a quick crossing of a bay or river I wouldn’t bother, but if you are looking at a 10-mile coastal paddle in choppy conditions, it sure is nice to tuck all your junk inside the tubes. This is especially true with the smaller diameter tubes on the Refuge/Scout if you have a multi-day load. The zipper length on the Refuge is shorter than on the Classic (14″ vs 18″ I think) makes getting your backpack through the aperture a bit more difficult, but I can wriggle my empty Flight 2 through the hole decently easily now with some practice. Of course this does start to complicate the operation and add weight, so maybe the Scout is best left as a minimalist setup and leave the cargo zip to a light expedition boat like the Refuge. But as Ben pointed out, it would be incredibly foolish not to at least get the 4 gear loops on the bow of a Scout.

Anyway, it’s cool that Alpacka is improving the hull shapes of their lighter boats and filling in a few gaps in their lineup.

This is the only trip I have done in the Refuge (10″ tubes like the Scout) so far. All the paddling sessions were long enough that I always put my gear inside the tubes. A few of the portages were short enough that I just carried the boat with my stuff still inside the tubes. This will give you an idea of how the Scout would ride:

This is using the Classic (12″ tubes). Unlike with the Refuge, I didn’t feel the need to put my gear inside the tubes for any of the paddling sessions until the second to last day where I was looking at a 10-mile paddle up the coast.

Jens, i have not loaded a bike on the bow, but I am confident it will work just fine. I have loaded about 20 pounds in the bow bag and there was no significant drop in the bow. i should also clarify that my bike is ultralight at 20 pounds, full suspension, MTB size small, 27.5er. i am also small at 5’6″. hope that helps.