Posted By: T- Gil
Any Jackson Gurus? - 06/18/17 08:59 PM
Trying to install a rudder on the Big Tuna. Instructions leave a lot to be desired. Isn't the rudder supposed to be spring loaded or something? I'm either missing the spring, or the instructions on how to engage it? There are a couple of screws in the housing, but I don't think they should come out. That's the only thing I haven't tried?
Posted By: Brad R
Re: Any Jackson Gurus? - 06/18/17 11:09 PM
T-Gill,
I have a Jackson Cuda Lt. It goes back to the factory in a few days. It leaks badly. I look forward to getting it back if they can find and fix the issue.
Hey! Have you watched this video of an installation?
Brad
Big Tuna rudder installation
Posted By: T- Gil
Re: Any Jackson Gurus? - 06/19/17 09:24 AM
Yeah, thanks, I watched that one. Hope they get you fixed up!
Posted By: Brad R
Re: Any Jackson Gurus? - 06/19/17 09:23 PM
Me, too, on getting fixed up. When I brought it home in February, the first time out, I grabbed it and lifted it smoothly overhead and walked all the way down to the lake about 100 yards or so. It is truly very light. Then, after a few hours on the water, when I pulled back up to the bank, I pulled it out of the water, grabbed it to carry it back up to my garage and . . . Woo! It had gotten very heavy. 2 gallons of water sloshing around turned my 58 lbs. kayak into about 75 lbs. And, the water sloshing around made it impossible to balance. Unfortunately, the drain plug on the Cuda Lt is positioned in an almost impossible placement to drain it off. One would have to essentially lift the kayak almost vertically, or hang it, then drain water from the stern end. Weird.
I will say this, the Cuda Lt is a very fast paddling kayak on the water and I really like these thermo-formed lightweights.
Is it set up optimally for fishing? Not a chance. Once I get the hull issue ironed out, I'll have to consider where to put things. Rails and tracks along the cockpit don't work well because that general area has to be left clear for paddle strokes.
Still, I love the paddling!
Brad
Posted By: T- Gil
Re: Any Jackson Gurus? - 06/20/17 11:49 AM
Me, too, on getting fixed up. When I brought it home in February, the first time out, I grabbed it and lifted it smoothly overhead and walked all the way down to the lake about 100 yards or so. It is truly very light. Then, after a few hours on the water, when I pulled back up to the bank, I pulled it out of the water, grabbed it to carry it back up to my garage and . . . Woo! It had gotten very heavy. 2 gallons of water sloshing around turned my 58 lbs. kayak into about 75 lbs. And, the water sloshing around made it impossible to balance. Unfortunately, the drain plug on the Cuda Lt is positioned in an almost impossible placement to drain it off. One would have to essentially lift the kayak almost vertically, or hang it, then drain water from the stern end. Weird.
I will say this, the Cuda Lt is a very fast paddling kayak on the water and I really like these thermo-formed lightweights.
Is it set up optimally for fishing? Not a chance. Once I get the hull issue ironed out, I'll have to consider where to put things. Rails and tracks along the cockpit don't work well because that general area has to be left clear for paddle strokes.
Still, I love the paddling!
Brad
I figured out I have a spring missing. Typical for my luck. I've been in contact with Jackson and the dealer, and hope to have a replacement soon enough to get back on the water this weekend.