Ocean Kayak is an excellent brand, especially if you are looking for a top kayak specifically.
They create boats that are great for divers to get in and out of the boat easily, meaning that whatever purpose you need it for, you shouldn’t have trouble with that aspect of it. If you are looking for a new kayak to purchase, you should definitely keep Ocean Kayak in mind as a brand.
Today we will be looking specifically at the Ocean Kayak Scrambler and making sure it is worth your purchase if you decide to go with this boat. First, let’s discuss how we choose our final rating, so you know what to look out for.
How We Choose Our Ratings
Source: Pixabay
There is nothing more important to us than making sure our reviews are completely honest and 100% accurate. We take a few additional steps in our research to ensure that this is the case when you read our final article.
Make sure to know the ins and outs of the product specifications before writing our review. That way you know exactly what size the item is, as well as the weight, dimensions, and color. We also make sure that you are aware of any extra features and accessories that will come with the product.
On top of that, we read and research customer reviews and testimonials thoroughly. This allows us to get a better idea of what the general public thinks about a product, and whether or not there are any widespread issues and complaints.
Lastly, we consider the reputation of the company that makes the items. It is important that a company is ethical and has decent policies in place when it comes to customer service, return policies, and warranties. We research their practices so our readers can make sure they are purchasing from a company they can get behind and trust.
For this particular review of the Ocean Kayak Scrambler, there are a few specific qualities we will be considering as well. Overall quality and durability, pricing, aesthetics, sizing, and performance will all be heavily weighted in our review.
Now let’s get into the specifics of the Ocean Kayak Scrambler and talk about its unique features.
What is the Ocean Kayak Scrambler and What is Unique About It?
Source: Ocean Kayak
Ocean Kayak makes excellent, high-quality kayaks made out of rotomolded polyethylene. They have incredibly durable hulls, making them a great choice for even choppy waters, and they have a lifetime warranty in case anything goes wrong.
The Ocean Kayak Scrambler has some excellent features, including: a molded seat well, comfort plus seat, molded cup holder, middle dry hatch, skid plate, threaded hull drain plug, a large tank well with bungee lacing, tri-form hull, carry handles on the front, back and sides of the boat, paddle holders, and four scupper holes.
If you really want a kayak that can withstand anything, but you don’t want to spend the extra money on a sea kayak, this is the boat for you. The Ocean Kayak Scrambler is an amazing recreational boat that suits so many different conditions including fishing, diving, kayak surfing, or just leisurely rides.
The tri-form hull is wonderful for keeping anyone from a beginner to an expert steady, safe, and comfortable in almost any water condition. This feature ensures that the kayak will excel when it comes to stability, and it is very easy to maneuver to combat the surf. For additional safety, the hull also has an uplifted rocker. This allows the nose of the boat to stay above the waves and keeps you confident of your safety.
You are also able to carry quite a bit of cargo with the Ocean Kayak Scrambler. In the rear cargo well, you will have space for a diving tank, cooler, or a variety of other gear you may need on your trip. In the bow of the kayak, you will be able to fit your backpack or a smaller bag with you. You are also able to install a cargo hatch for extra space if needed as well.
Source: Ocean Kayak
If you have smaller items of value like a wallet, keys, etc. you can use the middle 6” Cam lock hatch to keep them safe and dry.
This is a pretty heavy duty boat and can hold up to 350 pounds at one time. There are four molded in footwell that are perfect if you are exceptionally tall or short too.
This kayak also has a GPS holder and a bungee strap right below the bow cargo strap. You can keep your GPS or phone in plain sight, in order to keep yourself from getting lost. It is also an excellent feature to have in case of emergencies, as your phone will be easily accessible.
The company’s return policy states that you can return a brand-new boat and/or accessories as long as they have not been paddled or put into the water. The items are also subject to a 15% restocking fee if you send them back.
Their warranty lasts a lifetime when it comes to the hull and the deck of any boat from the company. For blemished boats, or ones that are marked as BLEMS, the hull and deck are covered for five years. In the case of standard boats that were used for rental, demonstration, resort, or outfitter purposes, the warranty lasts 90 days.
Pricing
So, this boat has a lot of amazing features, but how much is it going to cost you?
Believe it or not, this is an incredibly affordable option for a kayak. You can purchase it from a variety of online retailers online for $599.99.
Compared to other designs of similar quality, this is a very low cost.
Public Perception (Other Ocean Kayak Scrambler Reviews)
Pros
- Durable and stable boat
- Beginners feel safe and confident
- Easy to get in and out of the boat
- Lifetime Hull Warranty
- Lightweight design
- Convenient to transport
- Versatile
- Affordable
Cons
- Center hatch leaking from time to time
- Not built for speed
- Seat not too comfortable
- Not made to cut through the water
- Water constantly slapping the hull
Now that we have considered all of the kayak’s features, let’s take a look at what the customers thought of the Ocean Kayak Scrambler. There were many positives aspects, as well as some negative ones.
Positive
Customers had a lot of great things to say about this kayak. One of the most common praises that we heard was from beginners, who said that they didn’t think they could have chosen an easier boat to begin kayaking with. Since it is such a durable and stable boat, they felt especially safe and confident starting out with the Ocean Kayak Scrambler.
In addition to how safe buyers felt in the kayak, they also loved how easy it was to get in and out of the boat. Many kayaks make it so difficult to leave the boat or get into it, and it can be incredibly frustrating for many users. If you are older, or just new at this, you will have no issues with entering and exiting the kayak with ease.
Reviews also raved about the Lifetime Hull Warranty. Not a lot of companies selling kayaks have such a fantastic, long warranty, and so this one from Ocean Kayak is especially appreciated. Customers stated that they felt much more at ease knowing that they had that warranty to fall back on if anything went wrong with the boat.
Another aspect that buyers loved was how lightweight this design was. Many kayaks of this level of quality are incredibly heavy and bulky. However, for this kayak, many customers said they had no issues transporting it or moving it on their own, which was incredibly convenient for them.
Customers raved also about the versatility of the boat. Whether you are an expert fisherman, beginner who just wants to paddle around, or a diver, this kayak is a great choice for you. It is easy to get in and out of, durable and strong, and able to handle anything you throw at it. Also, even though it is not technically a kayak built for the ocean, it is one of the best options to surf waves with.
Last but not least, buyers loved how affordable this design was. Many could not believe all the features and quality they were getting for such a low price. You are definitely getting the bang for your buck if you go with the Ocean Kayak Scrambler.
Negative
Now there were a few potentially negative aspects to consider with this kayak as well.
Customers have mentioned that the center hatch has leaked from time to time. If you are someone who does not want to get wet at all, this is definitely not the kayak for you. It is definitely not a deal breaker for everyone, but if you are someone who must stay dry, we wouldn’t recommend the Ocean Kayak Scrambler.
This is not a boat that is built for speed. Many buyers mentioned that it was not as fast as they would have liked, and that they had used other kayaks they had liked better when it comes to this feature. If you are a beginner and have no need for speed, this is not as much of a flaw, but may be more upsetting for experienced riders.
Another aspect that is really important to consider is how comfortable the seat is. Many reviews mentioned that this is not a seat that you would want to sit in for more than a couple hours. If you are doing a day long fishing trip, you may experience some serious discomfort and have to stop. This is definitely an inconvenience but is still a great choice for divers and those who won’t be sitting in the seat for a full day.
There were customers who expected more of a travel boat, which this definitely is not. The Ocean Kayak Scrambler is not made to cut through the water, and there were some buyers who were displeased with that.
Customers also did not like the way the water was constantly slapping the hull. This does cause the kayak to be a little slower, and it is not as smooth of a ride as it could be.
Our Final Thoughts
Source: Ocean Kayak
Overall, we do think that this is a solid choice for a new kayak, especially if you are a beginner.
For our final rating, we are giving this boat a 3 out of 5 stars. While it is very durable, affordable, and easy to get in and out of, it is not without its flaws. If you are someone who needs something you can sit in all day, you may want to look at a Hobie Kayak, as their seats are more comfortable.
But if you are a beginner who simply wants to get started on a cheaper kayak, this is definitely what we would recommend. You will feel secure and safe, and have no issues getting in and out of the boat.
What are your thoughts on the Ocean Kayak Scrambler, if you have used one before?
