Scrambler - XT

Picked up this boat off of craigslist a month ago. So far I've paddled it in a shallow river with a couple rapids in the salt flats behind an island and off the beach. This boat handled well in all conditions.

It tracks a little deep for shallow rivers so you have to pick routes carefully otherwise you'll be scraping the bottom the entire time but that's the same with any ocean boats. Tracks well on open water and can keep a straight line with little issue. In the flats and on the lake it doesn't get turned around by the wind too bad, not the absolute fastest boat but much faster than shorter boats I've paddled. Cuts through the current of the tide coming in easily as well. Stable in wake and chop up to a foot high (that's as far as I've pushed it so far). Off the beach it cut through the breakers very easily and made getting out fun and safe. Also very fun to surf and mess around in the waves. The flush mount rod holders are hand but I have 2 scotty mount bases installed so I can put my rod holder on each side. The tank well isn't big enough for a milk crate to sit in but it can sit on top and the well is big enough for large tackle boxes or medium coolers.

Stable fishing platform I felt very comfortable swinging my legs over the side and messing with stuff in the back or in the front of the boat. The only problem with this boat is water in the cockpit area. Once it gets in it is a pain to get out without going back to land or just splashing it all out. You can lean over and force a decent amount of water out but not all and the back doesn't have that option as there are no scupper holes there. Plugs are mandatory to stay remotely dry.

Overall great boat if you can find one on craigslist for sale it's definitely worth the money. I've had 3 boats and it's my favorite so far.

Purchased a Scrambler 11 last summer for fishing on the UK south coast. Added the X lock front hatch which is a poor fit and would recommend looking at an alternative. Scotty holders and fish finder fitted.

This Kayak is an excellent platform for fishing, very stable and comfortable if you fit holders that are in reach but don't interfere with paddling. Tracking is not perfect but better than most sit on's without a rudder or skeg. Speed is OK for a kayak of this length. Overall a number one all-round Kayak which I will be continuing to use this year.

My first yak. It flipped on my first trip. Everything at the bottom of a very deep river, including two rods, tackle box and phone. Maybe not the yak's fault, I used a canoe seat which raised my CG two inches, don't know. But it was pretty slow also. Seemed to be pretty good quality except the seat it comes with would kill you.

I have had my boat for 2yrs, my brother and I each bought one new. We have enjoyed them both until recent discovery of leaks. The manufacturer offers a welding kit but this is tricky business, you could do more damage attempting use of it. I am using Problem Plastic Repair from 3M, $28 for 7 oz.

I previously owned a surfjet kayak, which totally ripped while playing in the waves, but was horrible for any sort of flat water paddling. Recently gas prices have gotten so outrageous, I was looking for some healthy, self-propelled fun. Basspro shops had a great sale on the scrambler XT angler for $399.88, including the OC seat. I purchased two for that price, figuring I'd have another boat if I wanted a paddling partner.

After a couple of trips, I feel the XT angler is an average SOT kayak. For an all around SOT, the XT performs pretty well in the surf, moves decently through the flat water and is manageable in the wind and chop. The biggest thing I find wrong with this kayak is it's ability to track straight on flat water. The deck layout is very versatile, the bungie areas front and rear serve well for holding down gear. The forward hatch is kinda cramped unless you just cram stuff in there willy-nilly.

As long as you don't plan to cover 10 miles in a day, the XT angler will serve you well. This boat is good for slow moving rivers and short expeditions over the flat water or playing in the surf.

After a testing this kayak (also tested a Tarpon 120 and Red Fish), I bought a new one and happy as a clam. Over the weekend, I took it down a Class II river and it's very stable, easy to turn, pretty dry for a SOT, and holds a line well. It moves faster than expected. Next paddle was on a calm lake and found it pretty fast, able to hold a straight line, quiet, and VERY comfortable (6'2"/215). Excellent deck layout. I see myself keeping this boat for a long time.

OCEAN KAYAK (SOT Scrambler XT angler edition). I purchased an Ocean Kayak Scrambler early in Spring (2006). This little floater is great for glass-calm waters, and handles pretty well going bow-first, headlong into moderate winds and bay chop. It's a nice little fishing vessel for kayaking newbees, and occassional paddlers. I would not recommend it for anything more serious or more frequent. Sidelong winds make controling the craf very difficult. The fishing pole holders are a great way for water to get into the hull, and they are positioned BEHIND the seat area (difficult to reach if you have back problems.... GREAT for trolling). My MAJOR issue with this vessel.... the plastic warps VERY easily in the heat! In 100+ degree temps that we are experiencing this summer, I can't seem to make it 5 miles down to road to the creek without the craft losing its factory molded shape. Hull-drag sucks! Re-shaping the craft after each outing in severe heat sucks! If anyone has ideas on how to prevent this problem from garage on bow-point storage to the creek 5 miles away, or any longer trips for that matter, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I can not afford to upgrade at this time, so any help in maint. would be appreciated. NOTE: I do NOT have this problem in cooler temperatures (85 and below).

Tried out the scrambler the other day and this is what I found.

Positives: Its light weight makes this very easy to paddle. Even if the tracking isn't true it is very easy to maneuver and keep on course. This is one kayak you could paddle all day without wearing yourself out.

Negatives: Wet ride and hull slap. I had wet butt pretty much the whole time I sat in this thing (not so bad for warm weather). Was out on some tidal creeks with minimal chop and had very prominent hull slap. For recreational purposes this isn't a problem, but don't think I'd want that if I was going to try to fish from this yak.

Scrambler XT - Great kayak, fun, fast, and does not flip. I take it on 14 mile trips once a week and can't wait to get it on the water again. If you have not got your kayak yet try an XT before you but one.

I bought this boat about 6 years ago to fish the backwaters of the Mississippi River in Illinois. It is the most fun thing I own and I use it at the expense of my fishing boat and canoe. It takes me places the bass boats can't get to and I can spend the day in solitude catching bass. I am 230# and can take my 70# Golden Retreiver along without a stabilty or manuverability problem. Its a wet ride but I knew that when I bought it. I can also play in the wakes of the big boats on the main river.The boat has stood up well over the years. It has some deep scratches but doesn't leak and doesn't take water through the rubber hatches. It spends quite a bit of time outside, unprotected and I have not noticed any deterioration in the hull material. I added the lifting staps a few years ago and they make putting it on a car a lot easier.

Great 12' boat for rivers and surf. It maneuvers well for its length and is very stable, thanks to a low seat. It's a bit heavy, but that's a good tradeoff for those who will be giving it a pounding. The walls are thick enough to take it. I run Class III with no problem. I installed the center hatch, but seldom use it. It's not really accessible while you're in the boat, and it's just as easy to use waterproof bags with the numerous deck straps. It'll easily haul coolers, scuba tanks, etc. with the generous stern well. Not a speedster, but it'll suffice for moderate-length flatwater trips with a skilled paddler.

Excellent all round kayak for anything. Not perfect for anything but you cant expect that in an all round boat. Fantastic fun!!

Having no other real kayak experience, I am well satisfied with my Scrambler XT. It has performed well in moderate surf and swells for both surfing and as a fishing platform. Also in class 2 rivers for overnight trips. It has good stability and storage, epecially with optional hatches. It could be faster but currently can outrun a 17 foot canoe with two good paddlers. Also, my German Shepherd seems to like it and can climb on even in deep water; that's pretty damn stable!

What's NOT to like about the Scrambler XT? Every kayak design compromises on some performance factors in favor of others. For instance, maneuverability for tracking, or stability for speed. I think the XT has averaged out ALL the performance factors to the best possible advantage for the paddler, fisherman, and diver in the 160 to 210 pound range (and much more without dive gear). For price and performance, the XT is simply one of the best choices out there!

From what I've seen, the Scrambler XT is possibly the most popular dive kayak in the world for divers in the weight range I mentioned above. Ample storage, very stable with lots of room in the cockpit, a good medium distance paddler, extremely durable, and a lot of fun in the surf once you master the brace and steering, are just some of the reasons why we love our XTs for diving.

We almost always take two tanks out on our XTs. Most of us stack both tanks in the tank well but one of the gang still prefers to secure his second tank up on the foredeck or between his knees. As with the regular Scrambler, start with the front hatch only, it's all you'll need anyway on the XT!

If you are scubadiving from it and making surf entries and exits, don't forget to add a few more sets of eyelets around the tank well to further secure your expensive gear with bungee cords. This goes for ALL kayaks with a tank well! I also recommend a bungee or two across the front oval hatch to keep your weightbelt from knocking the cover off if you happen to roll in the surf.

When you are done diving, offload your dive gear and take the XT back out to play in the surf. It's great!

Just moved to Naples(Long Beach)Calif. Paddling around the island is the best after work stress buster I could have found at any price. 10 minutes on the water with this very stable boat and my head is clear and in a great place. Love it.

For a big guy like myself, 250 lbs., the Scrambler XT is by far the best kayak for fishing. Don't even waste your time with anything else, Go for the best, get an Ocean Kayak.

Texas native and grab the water where I can find it. Paddle the rivers I - II,creeks, lakes, bays and open surf. This boat is stable and predictable. Very manuverable in current and surf. This is a good boat for a day trip or overnighter. Working hard can keep up with a slow tandem canoe. Winter time slip on a pair of rodeo shorts and go. For the price and fun factor the XT is a good boat.

Great for fishing...so stable I can hang my legs over the sides. Could be a little faster, but strong launching through the surf, and making it back in upright in the waves.

Primarily used as a fishing platform, the Scrambler-XT has exceeded all my expectations. Though not as fast as some sit on tops, it maintains a reasonable speed and tracks fairly well. Much more stable than I anticipated. A little awkward to load but, manageable.