Swell Scupper 12 Review
Bottom Line:
The Swell Scupper 12 is a responsive, hard-working sit on top kayak that gets up to impressive speeds on flat water, and keeps the paddler in close contact with the vessel. Experts agree that it’s impressively powerful and that it tracks well for its size.
The Scupper 12 doesn’t seem ideal for gentle trips as it’s built for power and secondary stability. However, this makes it all the more appealing to paddlers looking for a smaller alternative to the Scupper 14 that gets up to speed impressively fast.
Price Comparison:
Specs:
| Brand | Swell Watercraft |
| Size (length x width) | 12' x 28" |
| Weight | 62 lbs |
| Capacity | 335 lbs |
| Material | Plastic (unclear on type) |
Comparison to Similar Kayaks:
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| Swell Scupper 12 | Ocean Kayak Malibu 9.5 | Eddyline Caribbean 14FS | Perception Hi-Life | Feelfree Nomad | |
| Expert Rating | 7.3 | 8.2 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Size | 12' x 28" | 9'5" x 33" | 14' x 29" | 11' x 34" | 9'6 x 29.25" |
| Weight | 62 lbs | 54 lbs | 50 lbs | 55 lbs | 46.2 lbs |
| Handling | |||||
| Stability | |||||
| Comfort | |||||
| Onboard Storage | |||||
| Portability | n/a | ||||
| Durability | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Swell Scupper 12 Review
- Tracks reasonably well for its size
- Good amount of space available
- Easy to turn and pivot
- Fantastic speed potential
- Secondary stability is great
- Primary stability is low - it's built for performance
- The seat setup may feel tight for some paddlers
Performance of the Swell Scupper 12
Overall, the Scupper 12’s power potential is noteworthy, especially as it tracks well and gets up to over six miles per hour when pushed.
The boat’s seating position gets praise from reviewers and it has the same comfy seat as the Swell Scupper 14–same cockpit size too. It reportedly takes the midground between being too loose and too tight. You can snugly sit in this boat without things getting too uncomfortable. The lowered footwells ensure you keep your knees safely below the deck so you don’t constantly hit them with the paddle. This also gives you superior leverage with bent knees.
Reviewers also agree that this boat is unlikely to capsize unless you force it, but the secondary stability focus means it won’t hold level if you just want to float it. It seems easy for non-technical paddlers to use and get up to speed with fairly quickly, thanks to its performance-oriented hull just like the Scupper 14.
There’s not much in the way of comments on storage, but impressions show it’s long and wide enough to hold a few crucial pieces of kit. It has a bow hatch that can fit camping gear and other larger accessories–even flexible fishing rods–and a center hatch with an insert bag, providing precious hull access.
