I think Viking would still be fine if they just came out with a framed seat. Personally I like the current seats in the Reloads and 400's (especially using the one way scupper plugs under the seat) but most people look at that seat and turn their head. Again using Hobie as an example they saw that coming years ago and switched from a padded low profile seat like the Viking currently has to a framed seat (in 2015). Yes is raised the center of gravity but only by 3/4 of an inch.

It's a shame. Viking and Santa Cruz both have the same mentality. Santa Cruz ended up dieing, im afraid viking may too, not because of their products but again, the people. I always thought if the 400 had a real front hatch it would be the best. Couldn't even get that. Sad.

I wanted to chime in here in an inquisitive way. I recently bought a Jackson Kraken 15.5 since I do quite a bit of lake fishing. All the research I’ve done says that BTB fishing is what it was designed for.

Does anyone have any experience / input on the Kraken 15.5? Main thing I’ve found is that it’s way too long to haul around in the back of my Tacoma, even with a bed extender.

I put a rudder on it, and it tracks really nice. It’s fast, too!

Thanks for any input!

JR

are pedal kayaks
trouble free?
like
are the pedal systems fragile?

more trouble and more fragile than a good paddle..

I had a Hobie PA 14 prior to the Jackson Kraken I have now. I really enjoyed being able to pedal around while I had my hands free to fish. The Kraken is great. I have only had it for a short while, though. My first kayak was a Wilderness Ride. It was a paddle kayak. I caught lots of fish out of it.

As far as fragility, the year-model Hobie Mirage Drive on my PA 14 had rigid stainless steel rods on the fins. I bent them a few times bumping into stumps and rocks. I never had any trouble with the drive mechanism.

JR

Butch pedal systems do require some maintenance and because there is an object extending roughly a foot below or under the kayak pedal systems are prone to being damaged (stumps, sand bars and even grass). I wouldn't say they're fragile. In my opinion Hobie style pedal drives are in general a little more fragile than a quality prop style pedal drive system like Old Town's because of the number of exposed moving parts in the Hobie pedal drive system. For most pedal drive systems a quick fresh water rinse after each use (I wouldn't use high pressure to rinse them unless you're several feet away from it) will go a long way in keeping them running smooth. The Old Town prop style peddle drive system comes with a 5 year warranty. Hobie comes with a 1 year warranty I believe.

Jim Sammons (kayak fishing tales on YouTube) has paddles a Kraken 15.5 pretty much all over the world fishing offshore. It's in part his design so sure he is naturally biased but I haven't heard anything bad about those kayaks. For you in that Tacoma yeah that's just not a good combo. Seems like a roof rack might be a better solution than a bed extender. I would sure have insurance on that kayak though. That's a lot of kayak sticking out of the back of the truck for someone to run into.

I was looking for a Kraken 15.5 when I bought my Viking Reload. I like the framed seat and the ability to store fish down inside the hull. Ice lasts a lot longer if it's out of the direct sunlight. I believe Jackson used to make a fish bag just for that center hatch.

thanks men

Thanks for the input. The plan is to put the Kraken on a trailer. My days of hoisting a kayak to the top of a vehicle are behind me. My Hobie was on a trailer when I bought it. Times got tough during COVID layoffs and cutbacks, and I sold it. I’m pretty spoiled to the convenience of launching off a trailer.

JR

Yeah I'm with ya even though that kayak is supposedly pretty light a 15 foot long kayak is still a hand full to pick up. Buddy of mine uses a trailer and loves it. He built an 8' long lockable wood rod box on one side of the trailer that holds his rods and his kayak accessories. Top of the box also doubles as a fillet station.

Jim Sammons was asked to help with the creation of what is now the Kraken. It was supposed to be designed for offshore. It does it just fine but when it boils down to a rough current day, it will be a very tough paddle back. I have done those paddles before back in the day and I am so glad to have a peddle drive now. Every now and then I miss paddling but then I realize how much easier it is to peddle. lol

I agree pedals are better offshore. I wish I had the knees to be able to pedal more than a mile lol.

One of Jim Sammons biggest fears is having to go to a pedal kayak in old age!

Wilderness Ride or Tarpon 140.