Sneak Peak at the new Mocean Ranger and OPS and Ship to Shore visit

I was at the Oregon coast over this late February 2026 weekend and drove home through slush and snow on Sunday afternoon with a personal vehicle. The weather over the passes was warming and after a couple of hours home I realized that Sunday evening would be warm on the passes before late night snow would make the passes icy in the morning when I intended to run to WA. So, I quickly packed up and made my way right back over the passes with my truck and trailer! That’s always a weird feeling when a trip happens suddenly! 

It was rainy and dark but pavement was not icy so I made it over Santiam pass and past the Portland area by around 10:30pm. Exit 52 in WA on I5 was my resting spot. Up at 5am to blast through Seattle traffic 3 hours to Mocean Kayaks.

Mocean Kayaks Burlington WA

Mocean moved into a new 18,000 facility over the winter and they have been busy finalizing the new 12’ Ace and also working on the new Ranger 14’6” light touring model. This little surprise is one that has me excited!

After spending some time going through the boat with Todd and Michael, we were able to get it out in the water for a little bit. No rear hatch or a bulkhead yet, but it was enough for me to come off the water with a clear understanding of what the Ranger will be able to do and it will fit best. I'm so excited for this new kayak from Mocean. Fit me like a glove. Such a great paddling position and features that bring this decades ahead of its competitors. As usual, I used my Aquabound Tetra paddle which matches this kayak in terms of precision and detail.

 

We were able to load up about 26 Moceans to go to dealers on the West. The new Ace will be hitting stores soon!

I was just amazed at this view. How far this kayak company has come in just one year! Mocean will enter the first full season with 4 models. When we ship rental/demo models to dealers, we tell dealers they may get cosmetic blem units. Of all these kayaks, there weren't blems so they all get "first quality" kayaks even for their rental/demo fleet! This is a feat that not even previous Burlington WA manufacturers were able to do.

Here is the Ranger from the stern. The low back deck will make rolling much easier. With the cockpit back nice and low, it also makes entry and exit much easier because you can slide in and out vs drop in or climb out.

Ship to Shore in Gig Harbor WA

I spent Monday night parked right outside Ship to Shore Marine in Gig Harbor Washington. This Retirement community on the water really quiet down after about 8:30 PM so I enjoyed a nice walk along the waterfront with views of the Sound and Seattle.

I was up and at it early to unload Ship to Shore’s Moceans. I like to be fully unloaded when a dealer shows up. With the hard work done, we could focus on training the staff on the new brand/models. Ship to Shore has always done well with all white kayaks because many big boaters prefer this color for their on deck kayaks. An all white Ace even sold just a couple hours after this delivery!

Out with the "old" and in with the "new". Excited to see how Mocean does in Gig Harbor! 

Ship to Shore has a great supply of paddles and do especially well with the Aquabound Carbon Stingray and Tango models. 

Oregon Paddlesports in Eugene OR

Next stop on the Mocean delivery was Eugene's Oregon Paddlesports. It was a rainy drive all the way from Gig Harbor to Eugene but I was able to make it by 3pm with a goal of getting back over the mtns before colder weather and nightfall. 

The unload went quickly and I was able to share some information about the new Ace from Mocean and we caught up on some of our spring and summer plans.

I'll be joining OPS in June on a 4 day "Back to the Roots: Love your Willamette" paddle presented by Willamette River Keeper. In late March, I'll also be presenting a thermoform repair clinic for the crew and interested paddlers. Check out their socials and website for more information.