Jackson Kayak Blue Sky

I just noticed this on the Jackson website. I see that the prototype was introduced in 2017, but I missed it somehow.

Check out their new offering: Jackson Kayak Blue Sky

Clay34, I bought one. I had posted here several months or so ago about this new pedaler, got on the company's email list and found out they were selling a limited supply for a big discount, so next thing I know . . .

I thought they'd see pretty well at $3499 MSRP since that is still in the range of PA 12s and 14s and the big Titan. At $2299, it sort of forced me to jump.

For me? I don't see it as a kayak, don't think they are marketing it as such. I see it as just filling a gap between a kayak and a boat. I'm hoping it will let me fish a bit deeper at times, cover more lake.

Brad

Brad, have you put it in the water yet? Is it still on order and not delivered yet. Just curious what your on the water experience has been with the craft.

I bought it through their "Kickstarter" program. I was #4 as there were only 10 at that price as I recall.

So, I am supposed to pay for it some time in April. Then, they are supposed to be delivered in June.

Can't wait to give it a go. Odd, too, that my wife wanted a tiny pontoon boat we saw up in Canton, made in north Texas as I recall. But, this is much less expensive and fits my needs a lot better.

More portable, too, as the two hulls snap off so they can be carried separately.

Brad

Thanks for the report, it will be neat to see how it performs for you. Keep us posted.

Just ordered one. Anxious to try it

I was number 16 and got the same discount. There is also shipping cost. Shipped to my house is $200.00
Shipped to a dealer then its $100.00
I need something that I can stand up in every so often and I hope this fits the bill.
In the mean time I will fish out of my Hobie Revolution 13 and keep this rig a compliment to the Blue Sky.

Great! We should see a few of these on the water this coming summer! It was just one of those things that I was considering, then the huge price break for early orders left me knowing that, then, I would have trouble accepting a higher price later on.

It also shows how much "fat" there is in kayaks and other HDPE vessels, I suppose. I think they are still making some money here and accomplishing a goal of getting some production up and running and covering early costs.

Brad

Hey Brad. How many kayaks and canoes do you own? Sounds like you have quite a stable!!

Ha!

And, I have a boat house and no boat! Go figure.

No, what happened was when we moved to Lake Athens, I had just my S-15 canoe (tandem fishing) and a Native Propel 10. Well, Athens has more vegetation in it than the forests of the Amazon so the drive unit sort stayed jammed up, so I wanted a second paddle-only kayak, bought a Jackson Cuda LT with that in mind that had a tendency to add about a 2 gallons of water by leakage, so via warranty, I traded it for a Big Rig.

So a canoe, a pedaler, a paddler and then this thing.

This is a long way of saying . . . . I have too many vessels!

In my defense, living on a lake, you normally need at least two for the occasional friend dropping by.

I'll likely "thin the herd" soon by selling one of the kayaks.

Brad

👍 I look forward to your review of this thing. Definitely interesting.

When I get it, I'll do a fast review, then a more thorough one later.

Brad

Note: The Jackson Angler 360 just won the best in category for watercraft at ICAST 2018. Thought that you guys would like to know:

https://fishingtackleretailer.com/icast-2018-best-of-show-category-winners-announced/

I saw that, Clay!

I was #4 and still don't have mine . . . but it is supposed to be drop-shipped to Arlington with 16 others this coming week, 8 pre-sold and 9 for store inventory.

One thing I have always liked about Jackson is its tendency to put lots of standard equipment on most of its kayaks.

The 360 will come with a couple of traditional rod holders, then some that hold the rods horizontally, all sorts of tackle storage devices and bags, and on and on. The 360 had a lot of "adds" tacked on toward the end that no one expected. They are also sending me a Cashion rod built for kayaks.

Now, where is my 360? Ha! Brad

Anyone thinking of adding an additional motor to theirs? Like a Torqeedo or a bow mounted option like MotorGuide or a Minn Kota with ProNav?

I know people have lots of differing views on adding motors to their kayaks or things of that nature. I added a motor to my NuCanoe and I enjoy it a lot. I get up to 4.5mph and I still have good control around the shoreline with my autopilot addition. Either way, very exciting stuff from Blue Sky Boatworks.

I wonder how this handles on rough waters?

I haven't gotten mine yet. I think I last heard they are making a last minute alteration to something so they stopped shipping them long enough to do this.

Anyway, as regards handling rough waters, likely okay with the 13' 4" length and 48" width. Now, whether that extends to success taking them offshore, BTB, I doubt this'd be the best platform. I do think it'll do well fishing in deeper water on lakes but then there is that high seat which will catch some wind. Successful anchoring techniques will certainly help.

I'm going to start out pedal only. If I power up, I'll just convert my Kevin Dismuke trolling motor set up to the 360.

I'll very likely sell my Jackson Big Rig to make room in my garage.

Brad

Picked up mine today at Mountain Sports. Really like the looks of it and the quality looks great! Thinking about hitting Wheeler tomorrow.

Going to get mine today. We'll have to meet up and compare notes at one of the local lakes!

Brad

Picked it up and had a nice surprise. It turns out there is just enough taper to the 360 toward the bow end that it slides into my truck bed that is only 44" wide owing to wheel wells. No forcing, just slides perfectly in place, no disassembly required. See attached pic.

I want to give Jackson credit for one trait it has more so than so many others: their fishing kayaks come loaded with gear that others force you to buy from "expensive" after-market retailers or themselves.

This thing has rod holders to be mounted on both sides on rails ready to take them, it has the coolest little system to carry multiple rods horizontally, water bottle, storage bag to attach to the seat, 4 compartments for storage of Plano boxes and more, wheels already in place to roll it around. There is more but I'll stop there.

One could literally just grab a rod and off you'd go right off the showroom floor.

So glad I won't need a trailer.

Brad