New Jackson Kilroy Walkthrough

You're gonna need to pack a bilge pump and paddle float if you ever want to take that thing out to the Salt. 

No not a salt boat even on a good day. This is a lake river delta flat water kayak. Easy to stand in and easy to paddle. I have used it a bunch thisnpast week and really enjoy it. Faster than a Cuda 12 but much more comfortable. If someone is looking for a comfortable stable kayak for freshwater use I would say you can't get a much better kayak.

Scale 1-5
Stability: 5 high or low
stand up stability: 4
Comfort: 5+
Speed: 3
Stock rigging: 3
Ease of rigging: 4.5

I'm doing a video review of the boat now and will post it after a few more trips.

I was a sceptic at first but the boat really impressed me.

Appreciate everyone's perspective.  I really think its a neat kayak - was curios about the salt; but agree with everyone's assessment. 

Dan, looking forward to the video.

http://www.headwatersfishing.blogspot.com/2013/06/jackson-kilroy-walkthrough.html?m=1


First impressions after using the Kilroy for about a month now.

Very nice Dan - wish the timing was right - I'd like to give this rig a go.

The Kilroy was designed with an eye toward fishability and features. In other words, the designers at Jackson wanted anglers to feel like they were sitting in the Cadillac of fishing ‘yaks. It’s 12 feet, 4 inches long, 31 inches wide and weighs a scant 69 pounds with seat (64 without). It’ll hold 375 pounds of you and your gear. It’s also built sturdy enough for anyone to stand and fish.

      Jackson always had great marketing skills...     They say imitation is the best form of flattery.   I see a lot of the same features I  designed into into my Raptor employed in this model.   
   Forgive my skepticism here, but you say    On a scale of 1-5   you give it a 5 for stability.      That's pretty high.    Can you flip that kayak while seated if you tried?      Because so far the Raptor Sit In is the only kayak I know of that nobody has been able to flip.   
    I'd love to do a comparison between the two.     Maybe even roll it to perform a self rescue to see how it handles that important task... or can it?   Are there any video's of a self rescue ?

    Nothing new here.  This very much resembles  the Ascend kayak sold at Bass Pro, only it's priced about 650 bucks more.
 

The Kilroy was designed with an eye toward fishability and features. In other words, the designers at Jackson wanted anglers to feel like they were sitting in the Cadillac of fishing ‘yaks. It’s 12 feet, 4 inches long, 31 inches wide and weighs a scant 69 pounds with seat (64 without). It’ll hold 375 pounds of you and your gear. It’s also built sturdy enough for anyone to stand and fish.

      Jackson always had great marketing skills...     They say imitation is the best form of flattery.   I see a lot of the same features I  designed into into my Raptor employed in this model.   
   Forgive my skepticism here, but you say    On a scale of 1-5   you give it a 5 for stability.      That's pretty high.    Can you flip that kayak while seated if you tried?      Because so far the Raptor Sit In is the only kayak I know of that nobody has been able to flip.   
    I'd love to do a comparison between the two.     Maybe even roll it to perform a self rescue to see how it handles that important task... or can it?   Are there any video's of a self rescue ?

    Nothing new here.  This very much resembles  the Ascend kayak sold at Bass Pro, only it's priced about 650 bucks more.
 

Jim, Thanks for your ignorant rant of frustration. If the Kilroy is rated a 5 for stability, the Raptor would be a 7 out of 5. I have had 350lb guys standing up fishing out of the boat within five minutes. Every single person has been able to use the high seat strait away. Is it as stable as the raptor? Who cares! It's almost impossible to flip and it paddles great.  Also its important to note that they are not trying to sell it as a salt water sit inside. It's the best platform I sell for stand up fishing in flat water lakes river, delta, and class 1 current. I when I get some more time I'm happy to demonstrate a self rescue in it.

    "  Ignorant Rant of Frustration? "      

     Really ?     Why so defensive  Dan ?    Air conditioning go out?        I take it that by your somewhat hostile response you're not so keen on a comparison.   

       
           

    "  Ignorant Rant of Frustration? "      

     Really ?     Why so defensive  Dan ?    Air conditioning go out?        I take it that by your somewhat hostile response you're not so keen on a comparison.   

       
         

Compare away Jim. My boats are available for all NCKA Members to demo for free, even you. 

Great writeup Dan.
I look forward to paddling it soon.
My old man just retired and showed a little interest in paddling/fishing our local lakes. He has no desire to paddle the big blue so this kayak might work for him. 
Thanks

I was screwing around at a demo day a few weeks ago and we shot this quick iphone video. As you can see you basically have to learn all your body weight over the side of the boat to get it to flip. Also this was all filmed in the high position. Amazing little kayak. Check it out.

When are you going to show us the stability part?

Good video Dan, pretty sweet kayak as well

My son just won one of these at the Fly Fishing Film Festival ,donated by the Redding Headwaters store, and loves it.  Super stable for an 11y/o fly fisher.  He has no problem moving it through water even with strong head winds.  Granted he isn't full grown so center of gravity is in his favor.