I recently went on a soul searching exercise of demoing every half slice boat I could get my hands on in an effort to find the perfect "daily driver" kayak for my intermediate skill level and paddling style. After paddling everything in the market segment for full and half size half slice boats I could, I finally got into a ripper 2 L and it was an immediate love affair.

Having had a ripper 1, and a scorch, the boat felt immediately familiar when I sat in it. The ergonomics are exactly the same as the scorch in the knees, which was amazing, while the cockpit rim height in the back was not only lower than the scorch, but rolled in for comfort. The hull performance felt like the perfect balance between the two, with a front end that easily rides over everything with ease with its scorch inspired rocker and bow planing surface profile, and a lower rocker tail that surfs like an absolute wet dream when paired with the perfect rails. Unlike the ripper 1, the tail is somehow both more slicey, and less grabby at the same time. Engagement is smooth and very dynamic, with the back 10-12" easily shoved down for tight turns and easy bow lift, and the rest of it easy to get down in current when wanted, its my favorite boat ive ever paddled. I was skeptical at first about the lack of drain plug, but in all the times ive paddled it, its been so dry ive not had to worry about it.