Jackson Kayak "Cruise" Hot

I researched and read and read and read and kept coming back to the Jackson Cruise 12. I fly fish so I was quite interested in something stable. I read several reviews stating this kayak is slow. This is not a slow kayak! I think the skill of the paddler is likely the culprit for those that have that complaint. I've been on slow kayaks before and this one is much faster. And I've been on speedy kayaks as well, so I know the difference. This one is somewhere in the middle. Tracking is just fine.....no issues at all. Again, this all depends on whether you're a fisherman that attempts to paddle or you a paddler that attempts to fish. I can stand and cast rather easily on this boat, but I'd rather sit. The storage is off the charts. I opened the hatch in the front and it basically goes about six feet in. No problem putting rods inside or sleeping bags. The only thing I wish it had was a couple more features, but I'll add my own. It does have a GoPro mount and it came with a rod holder that was easily mounted. The seat is 100 times better than most out there. I got a sweet deal on this boat as I purchased an used 2015 model in 2016. Jackson is the iPhone of kayaks. You really can't go wrong.

About the Skype a while back and I've used it almost every day, I was expecting it to be not as stable as it is. I went down some pretty large rivers including the South Holston in Bristol Tennessee, the South Holston Lake, Watauga River, Watauga lake, the DOE River. It has done very well everywhere I have taken it. Yesterday I paddled a total of 10 miles, I figured I would be wore out but it really was not bad at all. I would definitely recommend that Jackson cruise 12

I'm always paddling a Cuda 14. But when I was looking for a lighter version, that was less expensive, I didn't have to look hard. The Cruise is a great stripped down version of Jackson's boats. Originally, it was listed by them as a recreational kayak, but they definitely designed it to be used for fishing as well. The Cuda series has the distinct center hatch in the cockpit area; where the cruise is clutter-free. This would make for an awesome fly-fishing platform. Stability is not an issue for me at all, but I'm a small guy (130lbs). I can stand in it almost as easily as in the Cuda. Like another reviewer, it was originally purchased for my wife, but she's only used it twice, because my friends and I have been hogging it! I just recently took my sister kayaking and she used it. Now she's looking at one for herself!

man! how could I have missed reviewing this boat ! when I first paddled the Cruise I was blown away. it handled like a dream even with a fat guy in it. I originally purchased it for my bride but quickly fell in love with the clean deck and simplicity. I am not a huge fan of compartments so the cavernous tankwell was a blessing to me instead of having the small lid compartment that the cousin the Cuda 12 has. the Cruise is very maneuverable and paddles great. I was expecting it to plow with my 260 plus in it but it did not. every person I have put in the Cruise has loved it. I really like the fact that it is lighter and less expensive than other models and it is very easy for me to cartop it. the clean deck is awesome for fly fishing, there is NOTHING to hang a flyline on. we are on our second Cruise right now, I had to sell ours to my brother since he fell in love with it too. it was time for a new color anyway, oh the things a kayak photographer has to deal with !

If the Cuda is Coca-cola, you can call the Cruise Diet Coke. It is the same basic hull (a little rounder though on the edges) but instead of all the stuff you get with the Cuda, you get a clean deck with the Cruise. It still has that comfortable Elite hi/lo seat that keeps me on the water all day long - very comfortable. The boat is stable enough to stand and fly fish out of and the clean deck keeps your loose fly line clean of any snags. Even though it didn't come with rod holders it has in hull nuts installed that will accept Ram balls which leaves the rigging up to the user - you can put whatever you want there, which is nice because not everyone wants the Ram rocket launcher. It does come with an included GoPro mount, which is nice for taking fish pics. This boat has an immense amount of storage for it's size, both in hull, and in the tankwell. Because of it's size it is fairly light, it car tops pretty easily and makes for a great boat to hop from pond to pond while fly fishing for local bass.

I really enjoy this boat, I think it flies a little under the radar since most of Jackson's boats are loaded with accessories. Because it doesn't it has the best value in the line up. This boat is perfect for the marsh redfish that I stalk and the spotted bass of the small, sandy creeks in my area. I'm really happy to see that they've added an Angler option for 2014 that will allow to get the color options available in the entire Jackson fishing line (last year you could only get it in Rec colors). This is a really great boat for those folks with a budget who want an all-water boat with a really nice seat.