NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Jackson Kayak => Topic started by: BigJim on December 03, 2015, 01:54:02 PM

Title: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: BigJim on December 03, 2015, 01:54:02 PM
I've been paddling a Kraken 15.5 for almost 2 years now and love it.  :smt007

My only "complaint" was that it was heavy out of the water, so when I heard JK was coming out with a 13.5 version I ordered one ASAP.  :smt003

After using the 13.5 and comparing it side by side with the 15.5 I have been VERY impressed with the 13.5.

All the same great features as the original 15.5, lighter, more nimble and maneuverable around kelp beds, and still handles the weight of a diver/gear/fish with no prob.

Here is a professional walk through vid from JK/Jim Sammons:

http://youtu.be/PBt1kxcxIac

And two reports of recent trips I did with the 13.5:

http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2015/10/30/kraken-13-5-surf-launch/

http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2015/11/23/andrew-sheephead/

If you have any other questions, and/or want to demo/compare the 13.5 with the 15.5 down here in Monterey County just let me know.

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: scubaluis on December 03, 2015, 02:57:40 PM
Let me know when is time for you to upgrade, ( next October?)  I will bring you cash to wherever you are. I like the way kraken moves on the water but getting it on top of my rig is not easy. Damn it suck getting old...and fat too. :smt005 but is better than the alternative.

Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: FishingForTheCure on December 03, 2015, 03:17:09 PM
Sonny beat all of you to it ... two years ago he called dibs
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: Mrchow on December 03, 2015, 10:24:52 PM
Those colors are menacing never seen a black kraken
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: Baitman on December 04, 2015, 06:47:07 AM
Sonny beat all of you to it ... two years ago he called dibs

 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: poulton on December 04, 2015, 07:18:40 AM
I wonder how it compares against the Ocean Trident 13.
Definetly got me thinking
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: Fisherman X on December 04, 2015, 07:34:43 AM
Sonny beat all of you to it ... two years ago he called dibs

No surprise there!!!
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: Hydrospider on December 04, 2015, 08:00:45 AM
 Will those newer jackson chairs fit with older jackson boats that have the earlier version chairs?

Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: BigJim on December 04, 2015, 09:04:49 AM
Will those newer jackson chairs fit with older jackson boats that have the earlier version chairs?

I think so Terry but can't say for sure right now...I'll ask the JK folks and let you know though!

I wonder how it compares against the Ocean Trident 13.
Definetly got me thinking

The T13 is an awesome yak for sure...best bet would be to demo and compare and see what you think.

The last time I paddled a T13 (sharkbait's when we were diving up out of TC a few years ago), I felt I was riding low and pushing water up through the scuppers by my feet (I'm a big guy and with dive gear etc it's a pretty heavy load for a yak that size)....I don't feel like that when paddling the Kraken 13.5...not sure why, but that's just how I felt...

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: Hydrospider on December 05, 2015, 10:29:39 AM
Jim,
I paddled with a friend yesterday, who was using the Kraken, and I learned that the Kraken chair doesn't fit other JK SOTs.
I am hoping to use the upgraded Coosa chair on the original Coosa.
The first gen was slippery and I need the additional lower back support that the new version offers.
Thanks for checking for me.
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: Hydrospider on December 16, 2015, 09:53:06 AM
 The new "elite" chairs will fit the original Coosa with a conversion kit.
This looked like it was applicable to most of the Jackson fishing boats.
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: BigJim on December 16, 2015, 10:05:42 AM
The new "elite" chairs will fit the original Coosa with a conversion kit.
This looked like it was applicable to most of the Jackson fishing boats.

Cool!

FWIW, I really dig the current chair/seat...much better than the ones back in 2014 or so...

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: APayne on April 16, 2016, 12:30:18 PM
Hi Jim,

Just picked up a kraken 13.5'!!!  Hope to be out on the water tomorrow for my first trip of the year and on it. Supper excited to see how it does. Thanks for the info you sent me and hope to see you on the water some time!

Tight lines or for you steady aim,
Aaron
Title: Re: Kraken 13.5 review
Post by: Gearaddict on April 16, 2016, 04:33:02 PM
Hi Jim,

Just picked up a kraken 13.5'!!!  Hope to be out on the water tomorrow for my first trip of the year and on it. Supper excited to see how it does. Thanks for the info you sent me and hope to see you on the water some time!

Tight lines or for you steady aim,
Aaron
Congratulations, be safe out there.


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