Where are kayaks made??

I haven't seen any of them advertise using the unqualified "Made In USA" label, for legal reasons.  Not many manufacturers do.

I've now looked.  Appears some mfr's actually DO utilize unqualified MADE IN USA advertising, including Native and Jackson.

http://www.rei.com/item/832988/native-watercraft-mariner-10-propel-sit-on-top-kayak

Good for them for the initiative.  Hope its true - gotta avoid these legal washrocks during low tide, know what I mean

Is that an REI thing or a Native/Jackson thing?  Just curious if there's a difference:

http://www.rei.com/item/868702/old-town-predator-mx-sit-on-top-kayak

After looking through REI's website, all of their kayak brands have made in USA on their page, eddyline, wildy, native, point 65...

Its a "both of their balls in a sling if the product doesn't satisfy FTC criteria" thing. 
The mfr and retailer each may be held liable for truthful advertising.  But REI requires product mfr's to indemnify REI for any marketing material provided to REI.  So, ultimately, it falls on mfr to provide truthful product specs that REI can rely upon, including country of origin and sourcing verifications.

REI will not advertise MADE IN USA unless REI is so advised by mfr.

So all of the kayak manufacturers are guilty of this

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/15776/Hobie-Mirage-Adventure-Island-Kayak-2015.html
Made in:  USA 

Well, except for the one that we know is not made in the USA. 

Perception Kayaks are made in the Upstate of South Carolina, as well as Harmony Paddle  products they merged with company that makes Dagger kayaks and another brand who's name slips my mind a few years ago. I believe their HQ is in NC.

Prjon are made in Germany, Necky is made in Canada.

   Nobody here answered my question/thread hijack about what that background music was on the Jackson Kayak video, so I e-mailed their customer relations and they got right back to me.  It's "The Balcony" by the group The Rumour Said Fire:

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Rumour+Said+Fire/The+Life+And+Death+Of+A+Male+Body/The+Balcony

    I don't know if music "will save your mortal soul", but it can get you through the too-many-skunks-in-a-row blues.

   Nobody here answered my question/thread hijack about what that background music was on the Jackson Kayak video, so I e-mailed their customer relations and they got right back to me.  It's "The Balcony" by the group The Rumour Said Fire:

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Rumour+Said+Fire/The+Life+And+Death+Of+A+Male+Body/The+Balcony

    I don't know if music "will save your mortal soul", but it can get you through the too-many-skunks-in-a-row blues.

LOL!!!

Awesome!!!!!

Cool song and cool that you got an answer that quick!

I actually got a call from JK today as well...I usually don't answer my phone when I don't recognize the number but the caller ID said "Sparta, TN" so figured it had to be JK...they wanted to know what color "K Krate" I wanted with my custom all black Kraken that they are making for me right now....

http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/kraken/

Choices they had were white, sunrise, lime and tan...picked tan cuz I think against the black it will look like black and gold...Who Dat!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Why would you want black and gold?

Necky is produced in Old Town, Maine.

Perception Kayaks are made in the Upstate of South Carolina, as well as Harmony Paddle  products they merged with company that makes Dagger kayaks and another brand who's name slips my mind a few years ago. I believe their HQ is in NC.

Prjon are made in Germany, Necky is made in Canada.

I wish we could get prijons here, there pure xl is about as indestructible a ww boat that's made, and handles anything from steep creeks to big water. Bad ass.

Why would you want black and gold?

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

From Hobie's website:  http://www.hobiecat.com/articles/boat-serial-number-location,15/

~~~~

Sailboat/Kayak Serial Number Location

Serial numbers are hand-engraved using a vibration tool. To find your boat’s serial number:

On kayaks, serial numbers are located near the rear of the boat, on the underside on most models.
On sailboats, serial numbers are located near the rudder attachment point.
Newer boats have a rectangular, raised ridge around the serial number to make it easier to find. Rubbing a small amount of graphite or soil into the serial number engraving may make it easier to read. Each serial number follows one of the following patterns:

CCMB1234A708
US-CCMB1234A708
Broken into its component parts (US- | CCM | B1234 | A | 7 | 08) , a boat serial number conveys the following information:

US- or FR- or CN-: Country of origin of the boat (Hobie boats are made in the United States, France, and China). The country of origin may not appear on older boats.

CCM or HCC or HCE: Indicates the manufacturing company. CCM and HCC indicate boats manufactured by Hobie Cat Company (USA). HCE indicates boats manufactured by Hobie Cat Europe.

B1234: Indicates the model and sequential serial number. In most cases, the model is indicated with a single letter, but sometimes two letters are used.

A: Month of manufacture – A (January) through L (December).
7: Last digit of the year of manufacture.
08: Last two digits of the model year.

pretty old video of hobie making kayaks

pretty old video of hobie making kayaks

If Cliff Clavin says so, then it's got to be true!

Well , nobody has mentioned Malibu kayaks,  Made in So Cal.    At least the hulls are molded there.

    I started Santa Cruz Kayaks with the intent of creating American jobs.  I had all the molds  made in California foundries.  From the start I was irritated at the number of shops that wanted to outsource the molds to China, suggesting that this would save me a lot of money.  I very rudely hung the phone up on one guy.   I've been insistent on keeping all the manufacturing and associated parts made in USA.    The footbraces, rod holders and all the small items are made in WA by Sealect Designs.  The hatches are molded in Benicia.   The raw material ( plastic ) is all made by US refineries.  Even the inserts are from a shop in Ohio.   The only items that are not made in the US is because there are no US manufacturers..  the handles and SS screws  ( China ), the SS bow eye ( Thailand ). 
     That  "Comfort Seat " is made in Arkansas and comes with a 3 year warranty.   
    I'm proud to say that for the past two years our kayaks have been molded in Pennsylvania by a small Amish owned/ run shop!

     Begin Rant;    As far as I'm concerned, all these " American" corporations that grew on the backs of American labor then turned coat by sending those jobs overseas are  Damm  F'n Traitors!     They want to continue to sell to Americans,,, just don't want to support US.       Rant Over,,,  LOL
   

Old town has been producing watercraft  in Maine since the mid 1800's. Ocean kayak was first in Ferndale, Wa. The factory has since consolidated and is in Old Town, Maine. The Ocean Kayak4.3 and the 4.7 were originally designed and produced in New Zealand. Those two models are now also produced in Old Town, Maine. Three brands are made there. Old Town, Ocean Kayak and Necky.  Employing Americans for over a century.

The only items that are not made in the US is because there are no US manufacturers..  the handles and SS screws  ( China ), the SS bow eye ( Thailand ).

wonder if this true for all mfr handles and screws.  if so, then no mfr shd advertise as MIUSA. 
Still applaud the effort to promote domestic production.  the pendulum is definitely swinging back in that direction, great to see.