Kokopelli Packrafts

Tough call. I know nothing about Kokopelli, but I presume you'd be taking on the risk of a newer/less tested design in exchange for some money saved. It's good to see other companies joining the market to keep pushing the innovation.

From a quick look at their site, the lack of any spraydeck options narrows the applicability of the boats (ie. similar to Alpacka's CuriYak). The seat on the Renegade also looks a bit primitive and the claim that it "ocean surfs rather well" strikes me as odd, since any boat without a keel (ie. all packrafts) is going to really struggle in any sort of significant surf, where a wave is literally pushing you and you spin sideways as soon as you're slightly off angle.

Anyways, I'm sure they're good boats. Step 1 is to match your intended use with the right style of boat. If you're sure you want an undecked boat (less versatile than a boat with a removable deck), then the Kokopelli is pretty attractive over an Alpacka Curiyak. I haven't looked into it much, but the Hornet appears to offer pretty darn good value (vs. the CuriYak) for rafting up to class II in good weather.

Their website says to order through the kickstarter page and their project is just past half funded. I bet these rafts only exist in prototype form.

new and unproved raft from what may be nice people, but Sherri Tingly has been at it for decades = $475 @72oz (claimed)
the Real Thing from Alpacka Scout (with phenominal resale value) = $545 @52oz (claimed)

at $70 for 20oz, plus guaranteed resale in a matter of minutes, plus absolute proven reliability, plus they all but INVENTED packrafting, plus they are proven over time to be solid and gracious folks ….
so why even pose the question ?

It is good to see another competitor enter the packraft market – hopefully it will lead to more innovation, competitive pricing, etc.

But I would wait it out to see if these rafts make it to market and then see how they fare. There are many stories of failed/delayed Kickstarter campaigns, so donator beware.

Peter, I don't think you can compare the Alpacka Scout to the Kokopelli Hornet. The Scout is a tiny boat that's not suitable for regular sized people. I haven't poured over the specs, but I believe a closer comparison is the Alpacka CuriYak, which is $715. So with the Kokopelli Hornet ($475) you save $240.

The Hornet is 6oz heavier than the CuriYak, but we can't really argue about ounces without knowing why there is a difference (ie. money doesn't buy weight savings with a raft because the materials are seemingly the same). The weight always comes from somewhere, so the Hornet may be larger or more durable or something else. We'd need to identify those weight differences to decide whether or not they are worth it.

I'd rather have the proven CuriYak, but the money saved is quite significant.

Sort of on this topic, Alpacka's pricing is out of whack. The Scout was always a way better deal than the regular boats, which is why many people asked for a larger Scout, or the ability to buy a spray deck for a Scout. Alpacka refuses to put decks on them, but did relent with a larger Scout (called the CuriYak) but the price went way up for this boat that costs virtually the same to build (note that all sizes of the regular boats are the same price, yet a larger Scout is +$170). I believe Alpacka has now raised the price of the Scout as well (IIRC it was ~$400 1-2 years ago). I guess I shouldn't complain too much because in reality the Scout was just a smokin deal and now that time seems to have past.

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I am going to wait for awhile. Hopefully I can afford to get packrafting gear by next spring.

Quote from their Kickstarter page.

"Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal 1 day ago."

"Peter, I don't think you can compare the Alpacka Scout to the Kokopelli Hornet."

Since one's life could depend upon the quality of the craft, a smart person would opt for the proven solution. Maybe the Scout isn't the solution, but a larger Alpacka would make sense. I don't understand why someone would gamble $500 on an unproven product. But then, I wouldn't risk my life with one of those $10 canister stoves on eBay either.

:)

Well I ordered a basic hornet. We'll see how this works out. Clearly, I'm taking a risk on a product that I've never seen or have much data on, but I think it looks good. The price point seemed quite reasonable compared to alpacka.

Your Hornet will be shipping soon, and I'd very much like to hear what you think of it. I'm currently vacillating between the proven Alpacka Scout and the cheaper Hornet. Either way, it's a chunk of money.

Yes, I should have it in about a month depending on when they ship. It'll certainly be much bigger and heavier than a scout. I'll try and right something up about it once I get it.

Finally got my Kokopelli hornet. It's the basic model. It seems well built, the material seems tough and the tie downs feel bomber, but I have nothing to compare it too. I've never had the chance to inspect another packraft. Hopefully, I'll be getting a paddle and trying it out soon.
The long term goal is to do a bikerafting trip in Moab at some point. As of now I feel I got a good deal, since the only thing that compares is an alpacka for far more $$.