FAQs

Check out our First-Time Kayak Buyer's Guide for help picking your first fishing kayak.

Refer to the kayak you're interested in and check its product description for the benefits and performance of that model.

We have distributors all around the world. Find yours on our International Distributors page.

Our colors are updated annually and differ between our fishing, recreation, and whitewater lineups. See the current year's lineup by clicking a boat and scrolling through its color options. Your dealer may have additional colors in stock from prior years.

We don't offer custom colors currently.

In the interest of our environment, we don't publish an annual print catalog. Everything you're looking for is on our website.

Sorry, we don't offer direct sales at this time. We encourage you to visit your local dealer, try before you buy, and support local business whenever possible. Find one on our dealer locator.

All of our dealers carry "demo" models for this reason. Call your nearest dealer to find out when they're having a demo day, or ask if you can swing by and take a boat out for the day. Some dealers charge a rental fee for the day, but may deduct that amount from the purchase of a kayak, so be sure to ask.

We manufacture and assemble all of our kayaks in Sparta, Tennessee. We've been building kayaks in central Tennessee since 2004.

Replacement parts, seats, and accessories are all available on our online store. Can't find what you're looking for? Common standard parts not found on our website are readily available on Amazon or at your local hardware store, usually with great pricing and a quick turnaround.

Many parts of our kayaks are available from your local hardware store or online retailer, often for less than we charge. Here are some common items and sizes:

• Thicker bungee: 1/4" black polyester, the thicker of the two bungee sizes we use.
• Thinner bungee: 3/16" black polyester, the thinner of the two bungee sizes we use.
• Rivets: Pine-tree clip, .250 dia x .510. We use four to hold the seat pad in place on our whitewater kayaks.
• T-bolts: 1" and 1.5", available from YakAttack.
• Rear mounting plate bolts: 1" long, 1/4-20, used on our fishing kayaks.

Our seat lineup has changed many times, and some are special order only. Search our website for your kayak model and the word "seat," or reach out to our Customer Service team at info@jacksonkayak.com.

Just need to replace the fabric? The 5.0 Cover fits around most Jackson Kayak seat frames, old or new. Simply wrap it around the frame and tighten to fit. To replace the seat cover on a Bite series kayak, you'll need the Comfort Seat Back and Bottom Cover Kit.

Need a full seat replacement? Here's a guide by kayak model:

• Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler, Escape, TriCat with steering: BSB Angler seat with steering handle, plus the seat post for the Angler and Escape.
• Blue Sky Boatworks Pro, TriCat without steering: 360 Pro seat, using the same seat post as the Angler and Escape.
• TriCat seat posts: Contact Customer Service.
• Knarr FD, TakeTwo, Big Rig HD/FD, YuPIK, Coosa FD, Coosa HD, Cuda HD, Kilroy HD, Liska and Mayfly: Comfort Seat Frame & Cover. YuPIK kayaks made before 2022 will also need the Seat Slider Upgrade.
• Bite Angler, Bite Rec and Bite FD: Bite Series Comfort Seat.
• Big Tuna, Cuda, original Big Rig, Tripper T (back seat), Kilroy DT (back seat), Kilroy: Breathable Framed Seat.
• Coosa HD, Cruise FD (2021 and prior): Breathable Framed Seat for Coosa HD & Cruise FD.
• Kraken series: Special order only. Contact Customer Service.
• Skipper: Skipper Seat Cover.
• Tupelo 12.5: Tupelo 12.5 Complete Seat.
• Tupelo 12: Tupelo 12 Complete Seat.

Search our store for the product names above to find each part.

NOTE! Effective 10.01.26 - we will be updating the section above very very shortly. Please bear with us as we work through current availability on the site.

We don't include these items with our kayaks. See below for companies we trust for paddles, PFDs, and other gear. They have great sizing charts and customer service. You can also visit your local dealer for hands-on help.

Werner Paddles is known for its attention to detail, high-quality materials, and innovative designs, making their paddles popular among paddlers of all skill levels and disciplines. Check out the Werner Paddles fit guide.

It's critically important to wear a life vest at all times on the water. Jackson Kayak doesn't manufacture life vests, but we have great partners who do:

• Kokatat
• NRS
• Astral

Check the Immersion Research skirt sizing chart.

Use plastic welding rods to repair a gouge with a heat gun. You can order welding sticks directly from our store.

Clean your kayak with mild soap and water. A pressure washer works too, but be careful if your kayak has deck pads. A bit of 303 Products Marine Aerospace Protectant offers UV protection and adds a nice shine.

Ideally, store your kayak inside and vertically on its end (this is how we house them at the factory). If you must store it outside, keep it out of direct sunlight. If stored horizontally, place foam underneath to prevent the plastic from warping, and angle it up onto its side if possible.

A roof rack, factory installed or aftermarket, greatly improves both security and convenience. The simplest (but not necessarily most secure) option is to place mini cell foam cradles between the boat and the roof, then tie the boat to the roof rack, or through the door openings of vehicles without one.

A trailer is another good option, as is the bed of a truck (with a bed extender for longer kayaks; Boonedox makes a great one). Cam-style straps are preferred over ratchet straps, which may damage your hull. Use your long load flag and don't over-tighten your straps.

Put your kayak in direct sun for 4+ hours, ideally on a soft grassy area. The plastic will usually return to shape on its own. If it doesn't, try using weights or other heavy objects while it's in the sun to push the dent out. Nearly boiling water can be used in the absence of sunlight.

If you have a general question about kayaking or our kayaks, consult an expert. Click the Ask a Pro link and we'll send your question to the appropriate team. This is one of the fastest ways to get a response.

Here are some great blog posts to get you started: 10.01.26 Note: We will be updating these linked resources VERY soon for you (we know the 'hub' is not working very well right now)!

• Ten Essential Kayak Fishing Tips
• Essential Gear for Whitewater Kayaking
• Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking 101

Complete the warranty form on our Warranty page.