Thanks for all the great reviews. Currently paddling a Ripper 2L. I weigh about 215. Took the Hot Whip out for a demo last week on my local class 3+ run. The boat is a blast. Easy to load stern for tallies, great surfer that feels really loose on a wave, shorter than the Ripper 2L so easier to fit in smaller wave features, very easy to roll. The Hot Whip ran the river very well. At my weight and with 62 gallons of volume I expected some tail grabs or edge instability. I never experienced that, and felt that the boat ran the river very smoothly and did not sub out. I am looking for a boat with a little more play than the Ripper 2 for my local run. Previously I had an Antix 2 large and feel the Hot whip fit me much better and also played better on the stern. I love the Ripper 2 but have a much harder time getting the stern down, this boat may be the ticket as an addition to my quiver. I am waiting for the Firecracker 252 to come out, but not sure if it will be near as playful as the Hot Whip, Pyranha has the volume of the 252 at 76 gallons. So between the Hot Whip and the Firecracker 252, which is the better player? Looking forward to the Firecracker 252 on water review.
Love to see a comparison video between the Hot Whip, Firecracker 242, and Antix 2 MD: how do the bows react through features, stability differences, and who’s got the spiciest stern? Fit differences.
I’ve had mine for a month and love it!! I agree with everything you said, Wade. I’m a class III beater, and agree that it is so much fun and easy to load the stern, but isn’t grabby at all, unless you intended to be. LL killed it with this boat. I’m saying it’s an absolute must-have! Too much fun not to. To me, it’s much more predictable than the Firecracker. I’d say It has some similar characteristics to the Antix 2.
love the review. bought a hotwhip this summer used. love the boat totally agree with your comments. my only negative is coming from the anti, hot whip doesn't surf as well on those not so steep waves and the speed difference makes the ferries a little more work. still feeling the boat out too. love it overall. stern quirts are effortless almost, so much fun!! enjoy all your stuff keep it coming
The one we’ve all been waiting for!! Great review, Wade! We’ll have to see if you get the comparison to the Firecracker out before I demo it myself (Ha!), but it will be hard to beat the Hot Whip.
Picked mine up Friday in Fletcher and took down to the Cattooga. Love it. They told me they have started loading sandbags on the tail when they come out of the mold like with the Party Braaap.
OK, this weekend I tried the hot whip, sweet ride and firecracker while at Clackfest here in the PNW. For me the winner is the hot whip and I am going to buy one and finally retire the Antix 1.0 Large. The sweet ride was not playful enough. The firecracker was a little more playful but I felt like it would have been a little less confidence inspiring on harder runs. LL nailed it on both the new boats but for the kind of kayaking I do the hot whip is freaking awesome.
This thing looks awesome. What half slice would you recommend for someone trying to learn stern squirts and trying to improve surfing. I have a waka tuna for bigger stuff, so thats less important. Between the LL hot whip, dagger rewind and jackson antix 2.0. Or am i missing a better option? Thanks for the great video’s. Keep up the good work
The ripper 2 and size means a lot on all those i think the best options for what you want will be ripper 2 and Antix 2 both are great surfing and stern play but overall HalfSlice my favorite is firecracker but it lacks the surfing or the others
Thanks for the great review! I'm so stoked about this boat. I'm debating selling my Homeslice to get it since I've never learned how to endo or cartwheel and prefer sinking the stern to the bow anyway. Plus I'd be more confident getting the Hot Whip out on more of the harder stuff. Quick question: I already have a medium Rewind and love that boat. Would there be enough of a difference between the Rewind and the Hot Whip to justify owning both?
I feel if had both would probably be in the Hot Whip 90% the time, but the rewind is such a great down river half Slice so to answer me personally I would not want both either one or the other but if had something like Goat Steeze Sweet Ride etc. that would be different.
Great review, I wish I had a dealer closer so I could sit in the whip. I am a day or two from pulling the trigger on a lrg Anitx. Would you say I am too big at 210 for the whip?
I paddled the Hot Whip and Sweet Ride at Tuckfest. I must be the only one who didn’t like them. Antix 2 M crushes them both. I also like the medium Fire cracker better than the Hotwhip at 205. To each their own I guess. I almost place an order for the Sweet Ride before the demo
@@scottdarby7120 I think the Antix surfs better, more stable, and more predictable on a stern squirt. I thought the Hotwhip felt very loose while running rapids. The Hotwhip was easy to get on the stern but doesn’t balance as good as the Antix and Firecracker. All of my issues could probably be fixed with just seat position. I just demo for a short time. I owned several Antix and felt great in them all.
Oh, I'm sure there's more out there that doesn't like them You are the first I heard not like them. And I think the WW center is not the spot to truly appreciate these boats. I agree with you there I would feel they would be mhh on a creek they both come alive. You are a full slicer so you like that lower volume feel also so yeah could see you liking the antix M and 242 more at 205 that's spicy as can be on those tails!
Yeah Matt’s 145 and he likes it a lot but struggles slightly to drop the tail down like a true HalfSlice he compares it more like a goat as far as play at lower weight
Tough to answer but honestly as for actual half slice the ripper 2 and rewind were just so good at everything would be between those with probably the ripper 2 edging the rewind out very slightly but for a small half slice which is kinda it’s own category now would be fire cracker and hot whip with no clear answer between those once again both are so good at what they do
Not sure if anybody else noticed it but I see you had the arca works paddle in some of the shots. Curious to hear your thoughts on it and I’m assuming there’s a review coming on it soon.
Still waiting for your comparison/on water review of the large firecracker. I so want a Hot whip but I'm 220 lbs so maybe the Firecracker L makes more sense.
Sir. I read a comment where someone asked you to rate the Hot Whip, Firecracker and Antix 2 in order of most playful. I believe you rated them in that order. How would you order them in terms of river running? I’ve got a firecracker currently. Like pretty much everything about it other than the lack of edges. If the hot whip runs the river better and is also more playful it seems ideal.
River running dam they really are all very close i would say a slight edge to the hot whip but I feel the fire 252 is going to fit me perfectly for that I got little chunky and feel I was on the heavier side of the 242 and feel spot on for the hot whip so right now between those i would say hot whip FC 242 and Antix 2
@@WadeHarrison thanks sir. I like the look of the edges on the hot whip. I got a buddy that just bought one gonna see if he’ll let me paddle it, if not I’ll be hitting up ERA at the nantahala for a demo.
it's pretty flat on the hull and spins way better than the sweet ride and if interested CKS has them check link here coloradokayak.com/products/liquidlogic-hot-whip-whitewater-kayak?ref=wade&variant=42586464714928
@@WadeHarrison I have the 252 and do love it. I wish the edge was a little harder and bitey for carving. Didn't know if the hot whip would fill that void. Was also curious your thoughts on the stability comparison. I assume the 252 is more stable in every way.
Yeah at higher flows that line opens up its 3’ off where you normally would boof you need to carry your boof stroke long and you will clear that pin rock only try it at higher flows because that a serious pin Rock there it’s the one that held a nomad and blew it apart
I paddled the Firecracker 242. I have 2 questions: 1/ The secondary stability (specially at the tail) feels quite low. How is the Hot Whip compared to the 242 ? 2/ Downriver I feel that the tail is quite loaded and no so stable. How is the Hot Whip compared to the 242 ? Thanks for your revisions and help.
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Thanks for all the great reviews. Currently paddling a Ripper 2L. I weigh about 215. Took the Hot Whip out for a demo last week on my local class 3+ run. The boat is a blast. Easy to load stern for tallies, great surfer that feels really loose on a wave, shorter than the Ripper 2L so easier to fit in smaller wave features, very easy to roll. The Hot Whip ran the river very well. At my weight and with 62 gallons of volume I expected some tail grabs or edge instability. I never experienced that, and felt that the boat ran the river very smoothly and did not sub out. I am looking for a boat with a little more play than the Ripper 2 for my local run. Previously I had an Antix 2 large and feel the Hot whip fit me much better and also played better on the stern. I love the Ripper 2 but have a much harder time getting the stern down, this boat may be the ticket as an addition to my quiver. I am waiting for the Firecracker 252 to come out, but not sure if it will be near as playful as the Hot Whip, Pyranha has the volume of the 252 at 76 gallons. So between the Hot Whip and the Firecracker 252, which is the better player? Looking forward to the Firecracker 252 on water review.
both are very good options paddle very similar, and they are in stock at link below if interested.
coloradokayak.com/?ref=wade
Love to see a comparison video between the Hot Whip, Firecracker 242, and Antix 2 MD: how do the bows react through features, stability differences, and who’s got the spiciest stern? Fit differences.
Will try to get that together
That’s the comparison I wanna see 2! Cmon Wade.
Picked this boat up a week or so ago. Absolutely love it, feel like LL knocked it out of the park with this one personally
Yup probably one the best they have ever done actually
I’ve had mine for a month and love it!! I agree with everything you said, Wade. I’m a class III beater, and agree that it is so much fun and easy to load the stern, but isn’t grabby at all, unless you intended to be. LL killed it with this boat. I’m saying it’s an absolute must-have! Too much fun not to. To me, it’s much more predictable than the Firecracker. I’d say It has some similar characteristics to the Antix 2.
I’m curious about the 252 firecracker the 242 is sized smaller this hot whip seems to be a big medium and fits me like a glove 🧤
love the review. bought a hotwhip this summer used. love the boat totally agree with your comments. my only negative is coming from the anti, hot whip doesn't surf as well on those not so steep waves and the speed difference makes the ferries a little more work. still feeling the boat out too. love it overall. stern quirts are effortless almost, so much fun!! enjoy all your stuff keep it coming
Yeah that’s probably the only drawback to that design with that rocker tail it does squat out on surfs
The one we’ve all been waiting for!! Great review, Wade! We’ll have to see if you get the comparison to the Firecracker out before I demo it myself (Ha!), but it will be hard to beat the Hot Whip.
Yeah Need to compare it more with the 252 fire
This is a top shelf on water review. Good stuff right there!
Thanks buddy I had a lot of clips to work with which was good but I hate sitting inside editing
Picked mine up Friday in Fletcher and took down to the Cattooga. Love it. They told me they have started loading sandbags on the tail when they come out of the mold like with the Party Braaap.
I did see some that had a bigger tail so that makes sense
OK, this weekend I tried the hot whip, sweet ride and firecracker while at Clackfest here in the PNW. For me the winner is the hot whip and I am going to buy one and finally retire the Antix 1.0 Large. The sweet ride was not playful enough. The firecracker was a little more playful but I felt like it would have been a little less confidence inspiring on harder runs. LL nailed it on both the new boats but for the kind of kayaking I do the hot whip is freaking awesome.
So I reviewed all those do you feel my reviews reflected what you felt on the boats
Which size Firecracker did you demo? Your weight? Trying to decide between Hotwhip and 252. Have not demoed the 252 as of yet.
@@KayakCarey1105 it’s big up front! Feels like I could run most anything in it but not sure how playful it will turn out.
Yeah! This is what I've been waiting for. This boat looks like a hoot
Yeah it was fun testing it out
Splat to Eagle flyover FTW!!!
That was timed just right 😂 soon as I went vert I seen it flying in!
FYI: the bird call you added is a Red tail hawk. Common misnomer.
Any video with Courtney is fun!
Yeah it was a blast to paddle with her out there she gotten a lot better..
Ayyyeeee thanks 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽🎉🎉
Looks like it surfs great. And that 720 to Attainment was sweeeeeeeet!
Oh you seen that yeah I have only gotten that twice before actually I’m sure I’m the first to get that there I try it almost every time
This was a super fun day 🔥🔥🔥
Yes loved the water Spike!
Killer edit on the intro 🤙
Hey that RJ
YESSIR!!!! The one I've been waiting for! Sounds like there's a lot of Woohoo per gallon in this boat ;-)
Hahah yup lots of woo hood in this one
@@WadeHarrison
@@WadeHarrison I went with the shark blue - looks as good as it rides ;-)
This thing looks awesome. What half slice would you recommend for someone trying to learn stern squirts and trying to improve surfing. I have a waka tuna for bigger stuff, so thats less important. Between the LL hot whip, dagger rewind and jackson antix 2.0. Or am i missing a better option? Thanks for the great video’s. Keep up the good work
The ripper 2 and size means a lot on all those i think the best options for what you want will be ripper 2 and Antix 2 both are great surfing and stern play but overall HalfSlice my favorite is firecracker but it lacks the surfing or the others
Thanks for the great review! I'm so stoked about this boat. I'm debating selling my Homeslice to get it since I've never learned how to endo or cartwheel and prefer sinking the stern to the bow anyway. Plus I'd be more confident getting the Hot Whip out on more of the harder stuff. Quick question:
I already have a medium Rewind and love that boat. Would there be enough of a difference between the Rewind and the Hot Whip to justify owning both?
I feel if had both would probably be in the Hot Whip 90% the time, but the rewind is such a great down river half Slice so to answer me personally I would not want both either one or the other but if had something like Goat Steeze Sweet Ride etc. that would be different.
Great review, I wish I had a dealer closer so I could sit in the whip. I am a day or two from pulling the trigger on a lrg Anitx. Would you say I am too big at 210 for the whip?
No, you're in a good spot at 210 trust me I have paddled the LG antix 2 I thought it was way too much in the knee area.
I paddled the Hot Whip and Sweet Ride at Tuckfest. I must be the only one who didn’t like them. Antix 2 M crushes them both. I also like the medium Fire cracker better than the Hotwhip at 205. To each their own I guess. I almost place an order for the Sweet Ride before the demo
What didn't you like? Why do you like Antix 2 M better?
@@scottdarby7120 I think the Antix surfs better, more stable, and more predictable on a stern squirt. I thought the Hotwhip felt very loose while running rapids. The Hotwhip was easy to get on the stern but doesn’t balance as good as the Antix and Firecracker. All of my issues could probably be fixed with just seat position. I just demo for a short time. I owned several Antix and felt great in them all.
Oh, I'm sure there's more out there that doesn't like them You are the first I heard not like them. And I think the WW center is not the spot to truly appreciate these boats. I agree with you there I would feel they would be mhh on a creek they both come alive. You are a full slicer so you like that lower volume feel also so yeah could see you liking the antix M and 242 more at 205 that's spicy as can be on those tails!
Great review! How do you think it would do in the 155-165 range. Do you think it's a true medium?
...nevermind I saw your mention about it being comparable to a large. But I do wonder how it would do for a lighter paddler. I love LL.
Yeah Matt’s 145 and he likes it a lot but struggles slightly to drop the tail down like a true HalfSlice he compares it more like a goat as far as play at lower weight
To me It’s a big size medium In my opinion it’s somewhat in between the Antix 2 M and L and it’s bigger then the firecracker 242
thanks for the review. If you could have one half slice what would it be ? Assuming you have a creeker and a playboat already.
Tough to answer but honestly as for actual half slice the ripper 2 and rewind were just so good at everything would be between those with probably the ripper 2 edging the rewind out very slightly but for a small half slice which is kinda it’s own category now would be fire cracker and hot whip with no clear answer between those once again both are so good at what they do
Not sure if anybody else noticed it but I see you had the arca works paddle in some of the shots. Curious to hear your thoughts on it and I’m assuming there’s a review coming on it soon.
Yeah, been using it and testing it on a few things will have something up soon.
Man, LOVE the boat. What are you going to do to stop that seat from going side to side! Super annoying and didn’t do that in the hot whip I demoed!
I will send a picture what I did
Still waiting for your comparison/on water review of the large firecracker. I so want a Hot whip but I'm 220 lbs so maybe the Firecracker L makes more sense.
should have something up on the 252 soon
How’s the foot room for size 12, river socks or creek shoes? Great video!
I know several people that size that fit well so I’m going to say it goes
@@WadeHarrison I wear 12's. No prob with my water shoes (minimalist) but my 5:10's don't fit.
Sir. I read a comment where someone asked you to rate the Hot Whip, Firecracker and Antix 2 in order of most playful. I believe you rated them in that order. How would you order them in terms of river running? I’ve got a firecracker currently. Like pretty much everything about it other than the lack of edges. If the hot whip runs the river better and is also more playful it seems ideal.
River running dam they really are all very close i would say a slight edge to the hot whip but I feel the fire 252 is going to fit me perfectly for that I got little chunky and feel I was on the heavier side of the 242 and feel spot on for the hot whip so right now between those i would say hot whip FC 242 and Antix 2
@@WadeHarrison thanks sir. I like the look of the edges on the hot whip. I got a buddy that just bought one gonna see if he’ll let me paddle it, if not I’ll be hitting up ERA at the nantahala for a demo.
LIVE LARGE my Friend!
Thanks buddy 💪
How loose is the Hot Whip on a wave? Is it easy to break free and flat spin on a wave?
it's pretty flat on the hull and spins way better than the sweet ride and if interested CKS has them check link here coloradokayak.com/products/liquidlogic-hot-whip-whitewater-kayak?ref=wade&variant=42586464714928
Which would you say is the better river runner, Hot Whip or Firecracker M? This boat looks fun!
I'd love to see Antix2 vs Hot Whip vs Firecracker
@@FORTRANWW all great boats
@@FORTRANWW yes please
Very very similar I’m curious about the lager firecracker the 242 was good but I feel I was pushing the upper weight limit
Sounds like a plan
How does this compare to the FC 252 for someone in the 180 -195 weight range?
We are in the same spot and I liked the 252 for more creek abilities but love this for all round small HalfSlice
@@WadeHarrison I have the 252 and do love it. I wish the edge was a little harder and bitey for carving. Didn't know if the hot whip would fill that void. Was also curious your thoughts on the stability comparison. I assume the 252 is more stable in every way.
At 6’3” and 230lbs…would this be too sporty? Or should I stick to a large Antix?
I don’t think it would float you very well at that weight personally I say Firecracker 252
What’s that line at sockem before you ran the puppy shoot? Left left of the launch pad ?
Yeah at higher flows that line opens up its 3’ off where you normally would boof you need to carry your boof stroke long and you will clear that pin rock only try it at higher flows because that a serious pin Rock there it’s the one that held a nomad and blew it apart
@@WadeHarrison separate incident from the remix being split into three pieces at sockem a while back?
@@justin_other_kayaker yup
Will you be reveiwing the Soul Hammer?
If you can get Corran to send one down to me I will
4:26 🦃
Hahha yup
Eagle splat lol
Got to love a eagle 🦅 splat timed it perfectly
How’s the plastic still holding up?
It’s beat up but as you seen I was not going easy on the rock play and this is just what made it to the video
I think the best reviews in the market. Why do you want compare it with the "large" Firecracker ? The length and volume is more like the 242 I guess.
Was more my own curiosity I felt I was little heavy for the 242 and thinking the width and floaty of the 252 would be more comparable
THe Hot Whip has less volume as the 242 but you think you afre in th eperfect weight range.
So, if i am 1m92 tall and feet size 12, would i be more confortable in a Hot Whip or in a 242?
I paddled the Firecracker 242. I have 2 questions:
1/ The secondary stability (specially at the tail) feels quite low. How is the Hot Whip compared to the 242 ?
2/ Downriver I feel that the tail is quite loaded and no so stable. How is the Hot Whip compared to the 242 ?
Thanks for your revisions and help.
Yes it’s wider in the tail so way less squatting back there
I am 84kg. I would move the seat of the 242 forward. For my feeling the tail was too low (let´s say the bow is high) during downriver.