I spent the full day today in the Ninja 2 - I'm not a big fan of tossing around "quiver-killer" much, but I have to say, if I can get my stern stalls better in this, it would certainly deserve the nod.
So cool. Look forward to seeing more stuff like this. Very nice job with the change/test iterations! Reminds me that I saw a Soul Hammer video the other day and one of the comments said, "Get one to Alex Barham to test" - that's an interesting, short design I'd like to see you check out.
Yeah somehow I don't think Corran will be sending a boat my way. He was climbing all over the rocks at the Ottawa to get a better look at me surfing the blue boat though lol.
Cool to see your detailed analysis of subtle boat design, this is awesome! I’d be curious to hold these up to a hot whip. Obviously different boats, but I found that while I thought the whip would be too playful to feel stable it rocked! Couldn’t find a line on the Russell fork last year where the bow didn’t stay dry but still felt really stable and locked in. What you’re saying here gives me perspective.
I think that the general platform of the whip is going to be where we are in a few years, but you'll see more volume immediately behind the paddler, and a move away from these radically curved stern tips.
Very cool vid, Alex - thanks for sharing. Awesome project and work! Not the same hull design, but after switching from the Large Ripper 2 to the Firecracker 252 I can really appreciate your insights on what that extra stern does. The trade-off between speed and stern stability is massive - a little shorter Ripper 2L would be awesome!
Thanks Brent! Yup, the Ripper 2L was where I really started to depart from the pack. Perfect for getting the tail down as long as possible, but what about everything else?
Interestingly, the kayak Eric Deguil has been paddling (and winning everything in) is a rmx chopped to 9ft. Obviously the original intention was to obey AWP rules, but it would be interesting to see the impact the chop has beyond this.
@@AlexBarhamI can’t stop thinking about squashing my ripper. I’m 125-130 and the stern just doesn’t feel easy enough to engage. I absolutely love the hull but I just can’t make it move the way I want to. You think I’ll regret it or just go for it?
@@AlexBarham mine is a small. I’m sure it’s mostly technique but I can throw my full slice around all day and I struggle just to make a stern turn in the ripper.
Got to be honest I've been through a lot of half slice boats and the antix 1 is still a never to be sold boat in my collection cause its fun. So many newer boats are to serious. Bring back the smiles per miles. Or just buy a supernova and be done with❤ I'll buy a Barham kayak... get building fun boats dude 💪
Do you have a more detailed instruction on how you're doing the squish? I'd like to see your setup with the heat guns and the blanket and know how you're adding weight to get a consistent and clean squish. Hot water is way too unpredictable and keeping temps appropriate while the squish happens is hard.
Yet another awesome video! I currently have my large rewind on the market because I want to grab a more playful half slice and find the rewind to just be way too long and hard to turn compared to my supernova. Now I'm thinking I should just chop the rewind! Do you have any thoughts on this vs getting into a hot whip or firecracker? Or, are you planning to sell any of these chopped ninjas in the future?
Given what you found with the chopped boat, do you think that we may see a shift in kayak design towards very unbalanced (in the sense of more bow length than stern) looks? Almost like the cockpit position you see in surf kayaks?
Great question! So obviously these boats were slightly asymmetrical. The other one I made is even more unbalanced, but nothing like surf boats. The stern is extremely important in river running, and especially waterfall running. We definitely need a significant amount of length and volume behind us, but it should have a purpose.
@@AlexBarham very true. Mostly just speculating for the algorithm, because I think your videos deserve all the attention they get. But you're absolutely right, boat design should be deliberate and not just putting stuff there for the sake of it!
Not really. Definitely not the Hot Whip. Those boats are really about getting from one place to stand it on the tail to the next, and maybe find a wave along the way. I am looking further back to the Axiom. Something I can not only comfortably run Class 4-5 in, but makes the in-between really fun too.
These Ninjas are longer, larger, have way more tail volume, and with less rocker are faster. They also have much more surface on the planing hull, especially behind the paddler.
@@AlexBarham Good to know, I have tried both the ninjas, but not the Firecracker. Zet should make an Alex Barham version of the Ninja. What would you name this new boat? Abinja!
interesting...don't think i am going to chop mine down...:) did you ever worry about the stern loading up while river running or when making sharp agressive eddy turns or peel outs? seems like the wildwater wings stabelize it...what are your thoughts? also that seems like a fairly high failure rate for the ninja? ten percent? thanks brad
Failure rate for Zet is very low. As I explained the one guy swam and wrapped his boat around a bridge abutment. The other boofed 10ft to rock in freezing temps.
@@AlexBarham now my old Necky Jive is really showing the wrong collours on the bottom, I'm looking for an update/grade, but it's a difficult search. 2nd hand for sure, no paddling budget for a new one, but between the Jive era and now, there seem to have been a long drougth of good volume half slice (or how do you categorize this :-) ?)
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This is awesome and I would happily watch boat modification videos all day.
Thanks Zach! I am already messing with a few other things so you will be getting your wish
Love it man. Way cooler than just reviewing new boats
Easily the most fun and engaging thing I have done in kayaking. Thanks Josh!
I spent the full day today in the Ninja 2 - I'm not a big fan of tossing around "quiver-killer" much, but I have to say, if I can get my stern stalls better in this, it would certainly deserve the nod.
The stern stalls won't get perfect, but the Ninja is an excellent way to clear up some rack space!
The most interesting edit I’ve watched for ages. Thanks for putting the effort in. Frankenstein paddles next please :D
Thank you! I'm glad people are responding to this. I'm in the garage today working on more projects so stay tuned!
So cool. Look forward to seeing more stuff like this. Very nice job with the change/test iterations!
Reminds me that I saw a Soul Hammer video the other day and one of the comments said, "Get one to Alex Barham to test" - that's an interesting, short design I'd like to see you check out.
Yeah somehow I don't think Corran will be sending a boat my way. He was climbing all over the rocks at the Ottawa to get a better look at me surfing the blue boat though lol.
That’s so dope, I truly hope to see something like that come of the line somewhere.
Love.
Thanks buddy! Come try one!
Figuring out logistics for the tiny ones so I can make a trip
@@nikosikelianos2481 they are pretty mature. I think they can survive on Door Dash and Netflix
Cool to see your detailed analysis of subtle boat design, this is awesome! I’d be curious to hold these up to a hot whip. Obviously different boats, but I found that while I thought the whip would be too playful to feel stable it rocked! Couldn’t find a line on the Russell fork last year where the bow didn’t stay dry but still felt really stable and locked in. What you’re saying here gives me perspective.
I think that the general platform of the whip is going to be where we are in a few years, but you'll see more volume immediately behind the paddler, and a move away from these radically curved stern tips.
Very cool vid, Alex - thanks for sharing. Awesome project and work!
Not the same hull design, but after switching from the Large Ripper 2 to the Firecracker 252 I can really appreciate your insights on what that extra stern does. The trade-off between speed and stern stability is massive - a little shorter Ripper 2L would be awesome!
Thanks Brent! Yup, the Ripper 2L was where I really started to depart from the pack. Perfect for getting the tail down as long as possible, but what about everything else?
Interestingly, the kayak Eric Deguil has been paddling (and winning everything in) is a rmx chopped to 9ft. Obviously the original intention was to obey AWP rules, but it would be interesting to see the impact the chop has beyond this.
Such a cool experiment!!!
Thanks!
The kayaking mad scientist strikes again
But wait! There's more coming
@@AlexBarhamI can’t stop thinking about squashing my ripper. I’m 125-130 and the stern just doesn’t feel easy enough to engage. I absolutely love the hull but I just can’t make it move the way I want to. You think I’ll regret it or just go for it?
@@glub__blub have you tried the small Ripper or the Chili?
@@AlexBarham mine is a small. I’m sure it’s mostly technique but I can throw my full slice around all day and I struggle just to make a stern turn in the ripper.
@@glub__blub definitely technique, maybe strength. Bright side is figure it out and you'll be even better in your full slice
Got to be honest I've been through a lot of half slice boats and the antix 1 is still a never to be sold boat in my collection cause its fun. So many newer boats are to serious. Bring back the smiles per miles. Or just buy a supernova and be done with❤
I'll buy a Barham kayak... get building fun boats dude 💪
Thanks man! We are always looking for mint Axioms for the same reason. Just don't make boats that are as fun and capable anymore.
Thanks, wonderful Video!
Thanks man!
So cool! I love experiments!
Thanks Brian! It was super fun
Is that an Honda Insight with a boat strapped to the glass. I am so happy! Cheers!
Most aerodynamic shuttle rig ever!
Yeah man these are dope and everything you say makes sense! Keep it upppp
Thank you! Couple more projects are under way
Sick! Now make a creek boat with a squished bow (plug master)
Sounds so painful, both for my feet and my soul
@@AlexBarham they’re gonna be everywhere in 4 years you just wait and see
@tillerjohnsonkayak I'll be sure to include a screenshot of this in the review
Will we get to see a review of a large Jackson Flow?
I've frankly been shocked how many people want a Flow review. I haven't been able to link up with my local rep but when I do I will get seat time.
@@AlexBarham great to hear, looking forward to hearing your opinions.
also.
Do you think youll take a spin in the Prijon BEAST?
Hot damn this is some good content
Do you have a video on plastic welding?
More tinkering. Cool vid.
Thanks man!
Is this why the firecracker surfs so well?
That is exactly why.
Do you have a more detailed instruction on how you're doing the squish? I'd like to see your setup with the heat guns and the blanket and know how you're adding weight to get a consistent and clean squish. Hot water is way too unpredictable and keeping temps appropriate while the squish happens is hard.
I'm going to. Really want to find/borrow some thermal imaging equipment for it
Yet another awesome video! I currently have my large rewind on the market because I want to grab a more playful half slice and find the rewind to just be way too long and hard to turn compared to my supernova. Now I'm thinking I should just chop the rewind! Do you have any thoughts on this vs getting into a hot whip or firecracker? Or, are you planning to sell any of these chopped ninjas in the future?
Hey Jordan! No plans to sell my babies right now, but you're welcome to come play and try one out. Black River fest is this weekend if you're game!
@@AlexBarham Haha awesome! I wish I could make it this weekend but I'm fully booked. See you at Beaverfest though!
@jordom115 awesome! Bring everyone!
How do they feel compared to the Hot Whip. The big Hot Whip comes in at 8 foot.
8 inches longer, faster, more volume, less rocker, less focused on stern stalls. Very different basically.
How about some Waka review’s? Stoke, Steeze/Puffy Steeze please and thanks
I'm working in it actually
Given what you found with the chopped boat, do you think that we may see a shift in kayak design towards very unbalanced (in the sense of more bow length than stern) looks? Almost like the cockpit position you see in surf kayaks?
Great question! So obviously these boats were slightly asymmetrical. The other one I made is even more unbalanced, but nothing like surf boats. The stern is extremely important in river running, and especially waterfall running. We definitely need a significant amount of length and volume behind us, but it should have a purpose.
@@AlexBarham very true. Mostly just speculating for the algorithm, because I think your videos deserve all the attention they get. But you're absolutely right, boat design should be deliberate and not just putting stuff there for the sake of it!
@MatthewBrookKayaking haha well don't worry too much about views. This channel will never actually pay for itself.
Now I want one. Lol
Well part of putting this into the world is hopefully we will see new ideas lead to new and better boats.
so you made a Zet Firecracker/Hot Whip? :)
Not really. Definitely not the Hot Whip. Those boats are really about getting from one place to stand it on the tail to the next, and maybe find a wave along the way. I am looking further back to the Axiom. Something I can not only comfortably run Class 4-5 in, but makes the in-between really fun too.
Thanks Alex! How do your mod ninjas compare to the Pyranha Firecracker?
These Ninjas are longer, larger, have way more tail volume, and with less rocker are faster. They also have much more surface on the planing hull, especially behind the paddler.
@@AlexBarham Good to know, I have tried both the ninjas, but not the Firecracker. Zet should make an Alex Barham version of the Ninja. What would you name this new boat? Abinja!
@@cloudburst1215 The Ninja Chop? Put a graphic of the Slap Chop guy on the tail
interesting...don't think i am going to chop mine down...:) did you ever worry about the stern loading up while river running or when making sharp agressive eddy turns or peel outs? seems like the wildwater wings stabelize it...what are your thoughts? also that seems like a fairly high failure rate for the ninja? ten percent? thanks brad
Actually the whole point was to reduce loading. So it was very successful. Works without the wings as well in other boats I have made.
Failure rate for Zet is very low. As I explained the one guy swam and wrapped his boat around a bridge abutment. The other boofed 10ft to rock in freezing temps.
@@AlexBarham i was talking about the orignal ninja not the chopped versions
When will it come available on the market? :-)
Hey if a company wants to work with me on something they all know where to find me
@@AlexBarham now my old Necky Jive is really showing the wrong collours on the bottom, I'm looking for an update/grade, but it's a difficult search. 2nd hand for sure, no paddling budget for a new one, but between the Jive era and now, there seem to have been a long drougth of good volume half slice (or how do you categorize this :-) ?)
@@bioboertuur grab an Axiom