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Ask A Pro

Welcome to Ask a Pro, powered by Team JK!

Ask a Pro puts you in direct contact with our team for any and all questions regarding our kayaks. Our team is the best source of details on our kayak builds, which boat is right for you and how to improve your experience on the water. So let them have it!

How it works
Below are three links to three different forms.  Each form sends an email to that specific team.  We manage a full list of JK Team volunteers who will get each and every email.   The first person on our team with an answer for you will reply.  If you have followup questions, simply reply and that new question will go to the entire team as well.

ASK A PRO – START HERE!
Please choose the appropriate Team for your question:

Comments on “Ask A Pro”

  1. Bob S
    January 6, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Hi, after tipping my sit in fishing kayak a few years back and almost drowning in frigid temps, my main concern for buying a new Yak is the tipping point and stability for side to side movement. I’m fairly tall at 6′-2″ and weigh 270 so I have a high center of gravity. What would you recommend for my use? Speed is not a concern and standing is something I probably will never attempt at my height, size and age. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Rod W
    March 31, 2016 at 3:30 am

    Why the max paddler weight rating on the Tripper and not the Kilroy? I am 6’3″, 270 and am looking fore somethg more budget minded. Would the Tripper work the same as the Kilroy?

    Reply
  3. roy
    December 18, 2016 at 5:39 am

    hey,
    I’m 5’9″ 161 lbs and was wonder if i can fit inside the new rockstar 2016 medium, what do toy think?
    thanks!

    Reply
    1. Emily Jackson
      December 21, 2016 at 4:24 pm

      You could fit! You would be pretty far back in it which might cause the river running to be a bit swirly though

      Reply
  4. Bill A Leach
    November 6, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Looking for a skirt that will fit the Jackson 1.5. Any ideas on who could supply one?

    Reply
    1. Emily Jackson
      February 28, 2018 at 11:11 am

      Snap Dragon Designs has the best kids skirts!

      Reply
  5. Bruce Williams
    December 3, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    Two questions please: Is there a good rudder (feet steering) available for the Cuda LT? Has anyone put a Torqeedo 403 on a Cuda LT?

    Reply
  6. Bob Donahue
    February 27, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    Got a 2017 Mayfly late last year. What do I do about draining the hull? Can’t imagine loading or unloading when its full of water. Concerned about rain storms during travel. Does a drain plug have to be installed? Seems it would be standard equipment considering how essential it would be.

    Reply
  7. ryan
    April 12, 2018 at 11:55 am

    Hey, just bought a Hero second hand and i’m wondering what size is the cockpit so i can buy a new spraydeck for it. any help would be great. thanks

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      July 22, 2018 at 4:29 pm

      Hero is a 1.4 in Seals but not sure in other brands… check with their web pages and it would be similar to a Zen Md or Antix M or Nirvana or Karma M most likely. Clay

      Reply
  8. Kyle
    April 13, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    Quick sizing question on the Nirvana. I’m 6’3″ 195 lbs, size 13 feet… I’m thinking the Large over the Medium right? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      July 22, 2018 at 3:58 pm

      Hey Kyle! At 195 you can go either way – medium for a narrower, lower floating but sportier boat or the LG for a floaty, faster, more forgiving performance. We have several Team that choose to paddle the Medium at your weight but switch to the Lg for overnighters or high water. Consider posting to Alec Voorhees’s FB page and see what he thinks, or Colin Kemp is in your ballpark too – Colin at jacksonkayak.com

      Reply
  9. LORY
    June 19, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    I AM NEEDING TO ORDER 2 ORI0251 IN STONE WITH CUSTOMIZED ART, IS THERE A MINUMUM I NEED TO ORDER?

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      July 22, 2018 at 2:09 pm

      I think you should check with a dealer or our customer service staff – info@jacksonkayak.com can help you out. Pretty cool designs they can make on each one, eh? Enjoy! Clay

      Reply
  10. RIchard Chaney
    June 28, 2018 at 12:04 pm

    Rockstar 4.0 recommended paddler weight & height? Also, available colors? Thx, Richard

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      July 22, 2018 at 1:54 pm

      Hey Richard – The specs should be up now, click on the boat and look for specs. As for colors I’ve seen a lot of ”starburst” which is Casey Jone’s custom.. pink and yellow! We are currently making them in Lime, Red, and the 18 colors but look for the 2019 colors to start popping up by the end of the summer. Weight – I would guess 145- 185 is idea in our Medium and it will fit much longer legs than any of the previous Rockstar series… Clay

      Reply
  11. Jake
    August 1, 2018 at 11:52 am

    I’m looking to purchase a karma traverse. I weigh in at 185 lbs. Should I get the Traverse 9 or 10???

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      August 3, 2018 at 8:39 am

      At 175 I liked the 9′ better if I had no gear – it was narrow and sporty feeling and just as fast in the flats. If you plan to carry gear, or want a more stable feel, then the 10 is likely your best option. Hope this helps! Clay

      Reply
  12. Greg
    September 2, 2018 at 8:41 am

    Good morning. Hoping that you can point me in the right direction. Primarily on the Lehigh river,PA and mid Atlantic rivers only 6-10 times a year. Using pirouette s for around 10 yrs and I like it as a river runner up to class 4. It rolls well. I can surf it with occasional 180 spins. I am looking for a comfortable,stable boat that’s more river play and possibly a replacement. I’m 5’8″ 190 lbs with size 9 1/2 shoe. I’m leaning towards a 4fun or mixmaster. Because I don’t get many padding days, I am wondering how big the learning curve may be. I’m not paying much attention to some of your slightly longer, low volume stern boats because I feel that they might be too similar to the pirouette. Ultimately, I’d love to demo a bunch. Maybe I should be concidering other options. What are your thoughts?

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      September 24, 2018 at 11:24 am

      Hey Greg! At 5’8” 190lbs you will be looking at the Mixmaster 7.5 (which will be slicey and small feeling – as intended! You’ll learn squirts and splats really quick but likely take time to feel good on some class 4. The Fun or 4-Fun – which will be a shorter but really versatile boat for you. Sit up on an extra seat pad to make the most of the 4-Fun design, as it’s going to feel really ”big” coming from a Pirouette S! The Fun will be a very small boat for you – more suited to lots of play but slower downriver. Don’t write off the Rockstar Lg! The 16 model is still available and I paddled a 4.0 LG yesterday for fun – at 175lbs – and it was a great super short river runner with play capabilities. Hit me back for more info – I know that’s too many choices but if you try just one or two of these and give me feedback I can certainly point you to the best options from there. my first name @Jacksonkayak.com Good Luck! Clay

      Reply
  13. Jaxen
    September 15, 2018 at 12:30 am

    what creek boat should I use at 5’1 ,100 LBS and thirteen years old

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      September 19, 2018 at 8:59 am

      Hey Jaxen! The Zen S would be right up your alley, as the Little Hero you will likely grow out of soon. Hope this helps! Clay

      Reply
  14. Jaxen
    September 16, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    how do i get a custom colour on a boat ?

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      September 19, 2018 at 8:55 am

      Hey Jaxen – Check with your dealer, in States it’s a 200$ uncharge and there are extra weeks of waiting possible depending on the model and whether we are molding it currently. The dealer can call in to check or you can too, through our customer service line. I don’t have the available colors we can use right now, but they will, typically its any of the ones we are using for any of our other boats but sometimes only certain ones are available to mix. Good Luck! Clay

      Reply
  15. jaxen
    October 10, 2018 at 8:12 pm

    thank you

    Reply
  16. mt
    January 27, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    I am 5’5 and 135pounds. My gear is about 10 pounds (life jacket, helmet, throw bag, skirt, medical kit). I love the jackson 2fun but wonder if I am better off with the jackson fun. Any advice is appreciated.

    Reply
    1. Clay Wright
      February 2, 2019 at 11:42 am

      At 135 the 2-Fun sounds perfect as a mix of play and river running. The Fun would be more of a river runner. I have paddled the Fun a good bit and found it perfect for my 165lbs – and I had all the same gear. Enjoy your 2-Fun! Clay

      Reply

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