Brand New Kayak Manufacture | Mocean Kayaks Scout 12

Testing the Scout mid winter here in Redding

The story of Mocean Kayaks is one of dedication, determination, and grassroots innovation. Mocean is a start up company based in Burlington Wa. Just miles from where Eddyline Kayaks just closed down their factory last season. Mocean has been working on a fresh approach to themoforming kayaks. They've invested big in R&D and 3d printers allowing them to quickly prototype and test designs speeding up the learning curve and ensuring that the end result has been thoroughly tested and is ready to go to market.

First Production Kayak the Mocean Scout 12

I have been tracking the progress of Mocean Kayaks for a couple of seasons as they developed their first model. Michael, the owner, actually visited my home in Redding to gain insights on kayak design and what I believed constituted an excellent recreational kayak. I shared the characteristics that make a Mocean Scout 12 exceptional: a balanced hull offering good stability on both primary and secondary edges, the ability to track straight while also carving a nice turn when edged, encouraging paddler progression. Double bulkheads to keep water out and allow easy drainage of a swamped kayak. Perhaps most importantly, a seat that is comfortable and supportive without resembling a lawn chair. You want to feel integrated with the kayak, not as if you are merely sitting on it. About a year later, Michael contacted me again, this time sending a photo. He had gone home to design, redesign, prototype, and test this kayak until it was perfect. The final product was truly astonishing, especially considering it was his first kayak!

Mocean Scout Specs and Features

Factory Tour

Last fall, I found myself in the Burlington area delivering kayaks to a dealer in Bellingham, so I decided to visit Michael and the team at Mocean. It was pleasant to encounter some familiar faces from my time at Eddyline. With Eddyline leaving the area, several local craftsmen were eager to join Mocean and continue their work in thermoforming kayaks. The oven, CNC machines, and trimming tools are all cutting-edge. It was impressive to witness some of the first decks and hulls being formed during my visit.

Decks and Hulls ready to be trimmed and glued

First Impressions

Scouts on a Sac River Campout

Although this is meant to be a review, I believe the backstory is relevant. It's not every day that a new US-based Thermoformed Kayak company emerges, so I hope the backstory adds some depth to the brand. Now, onto the kayak! My first experience with the Mocean was at Whiskeytown Lake with the owners, Nancy and Michael. They made a second trip to personally deliver my kayaks and guide me through all the details of their new kayak. A few aspects stood out immediately. First was the adjustable seat with dual tracks and a reinforced floor. This feature allows for seat adjustment and trimming, while also providing reinforcement. Compared to other adjustable seats I've used, it felt much sturdier and didn't make noise when shifting weight in the kayak. Another feature I appreciated was the two kiss-off holes under the sit bones. You don't notice them with the seat pad on, but these holes relieve pressure from the sit bones, allowing me to sit comfortably for hours without experiencing pain. Other subtle details include the curved rear bulkhead for easy draining and pedestals for mounting the foot pedals, enhancing ergonomics and eliminating the need to drill holes for the pedals. The attention to detail is evident even in the water bottle holder and the paddle holder/grab handle behind the seat.

On Water Review

On the water, the Scout exceeded all the expectations I had set for it. The ergonomics were excellent, and I had no trouble adjusting the fit to suit my body size perfectly. For a 12' by 29" wide kayak, it feels fast. The way the chines angle towards the waterline means it might only be 27" wide at the waterline, but as you add weight or tilt to the secondary, you push more volume into the water, providing additional support. Tracking was good in various wind conditions, although a lighter paddler might notice a bit more effect. I found that the more gear I loaded into the Scout, the more stable and better tracking it became. Turning the Scout was easy even without much edge input. When edged, it really comes to life. Forcing the edge volume into the water shortens the waterline and lifts the keel, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. I also tested a few capsize drills and was impressed with how easy it was to empty the water and reenter the kayak. Even without a paddle float, I was able to climb back in with minimal effort. The hatches are large and easy to access, but not something you will access on the water. I'd love to see them add a small under-deck dry storage, as there is some unused space there. This seems like it would be an easy aftermarket accessory for those wanting quick access dry storage. Overall, I thought the kayak was great. It stands out as the most progressive 12' recreational kayak in its class, leading the way against the Eddyline Skylark and the Hurricane Tampico. They are also releasing a Scout XC with an extra-long cockpit to compete with the Hurricane Prima and Eddyline Sandpiper. I'll be sure to try that one and compare it as soon as possible. There's much more to say, which is why I recommend checking out our in-depth video review of the Scout 12 we posted on our YouTube channel.

If you’d like to schedule a demo please reach out. I have a demo fleet I travel with as well as New inventory to send you home with.

Dan