jackson Big Rig

Hi Everybody,

Does anybody have an opinion of what you think about the Jackson Big Rig.I am 60 yrs old and quite healthy but don't have great knees due to the construction trade l am in. I tried out a Hobie 14 last week and it bother my knees after about 5 minutes.I can ride a bike just fine and can do over 10-15 miles with no pain but the Hobie gives me pain? Would l be better off with the Big Rig for it's stability since l am just going to be mostly lake fishing and perhaps hit the rivers like the Willamette. At My age l don't think going out in the ocean is a good idea until l get some good practice,lol.
Thanks,
Skippermanone   

I have the Jackson Big Tuna and love it.

i was lucky enough to use a buddy's in Lake Mich. It's a ridiculously comfortable and well equipped fishing platform, up there w/ the pro angler, but depending on your situation you might want to take its weight into consideration.

i was lucky enough to use a buddy's in Lake Mich. It's a ridiculously comfortable and well equipped fishing platform, up there w/ the pro angler, but depending on your situation you might want to take its weight into consideration.

Point made there my Big Tuna is just shy of 100 lbs empty.make sure you can transport it.

Skipperman, have you tried a Propel Slayer. I have the 13 and it's set up with a bike like pedal system. I am 62 have ridden bikes for years and have found that the slayer is pretty easy on my legs. I have sciatica on occasion and  the pedal motion does not aggravate my lower back/legs. I can peddle @ 3 knots all day long. My shoulders are in good shape and I have a paddle yak but the peddling is so much easier and with the reverse on the Propel it's pretty maneuverable.

Hi,

Thanks for the respond. Where can you find a Propel slayer in around the Portland area? Might be worth a look before l make up my mind soon on A Hobie or Big Rig,lol.
Cheers,
Skip

If you're going to test Jackson Kayaks try out several models. The Big Tuna is great, but the weight and size can be an issue. I like the Jackson Cruise 10 for small to medium size lake fishing. It's very stable and fairly quick for such a small boat, and at 53 pounds it's like carrying an oversized suitcase. I'm not a small guy either, 5'10 and pushing 200 pounds. Jackson also makes a 12 foot version the Cruise 12 and a couple of those are around the PNW now.

I'd suggest you try lots of kayaks before you buy. The Northwest Paddlefest is coming up in May on Lake Sammamish and you can demo all those Jackson Kayaks and dozens of other brands for free on the same day.

skipperman....I really wonder if the PA-14 you tried was set up correctly for you......as an example, assuming it was at least the 2013 model with the Vantage seat, the seat position (lower or was it in the upper/elevated position), lumbar adjustment and lastly the Mirage drive pedal arm setting....if the stroke is too long, you are "stretching your legs" too far.

I own a 2013 PA-14 and just for comparison, I am 73, 6' tall, Mirage drive pedal arm set @ #3 slot, seat in the low position, I did modify my pedals to have "heel straps" so my big feet "drop into the straps"......I typically troll for 5 hours, covering 8 - 10 miles AND am very comfortable without any knee pain.
If the Vantage seat is in the upper/elevated position, pedaling is easier as your whole body is elevated by 4" . This places your legs and knees in a higher position so you are pedaling "slightly downward"......all of these little changes/adjustments make a big change in pedaling a PA.

Most kayak fishing guys will attest to the positive benefits of "pedaling vs paddling"......just my take and observations of owning first a 2010 Hobie Outback and now a PA-14. 

 

If you're going to test Jackson Kayaks try out several models. The Big Tuna is great, but the weight and size can be an issue. I like the Jackson Cruise 10 for small to medium size lake fishing. It's very stable and fairly quick for such a small boat, and at 53 pounds it's like carrying an oversized suitcase. I'm not a small guy either, 5'10 and pushing 200 pounds. Jackson also makes a 12 foot version the Cruise 12 and a couple of those are around the PNW now.

I'd suggest you try lots of kayaks before you buy. The Northwest Paddlefest is coming up in May on Lake Sammamish and you can demo all those Jackson Kayaks and dozens of other brands for free on the same day.

We just ordered 2 of the Cruise 12 Anglers and the Big Tuna for our Heroes on the Water Chapter. We're really excited to try these out.

skipperman....I really wonder if the PA-14 you tried was set up correctly for you......as an example, assuming it was at least the 2013 model with the Vantage seat, the seat position (lower or was it in the upper/elevated position), lumbar adjustment and lastly the Mirage drive pedal arm setting....if the stroke is too long, you are "stretching your legs" too far.

I own a 2013 PA-14 and just for comparison, I am 73, 6' tall, Mirage drive pedal arm set @ #3 slot, seat in the low position, I did modify my pedals to have "heel straps" so my big feet "drop into the straps"......I typically troll for 5 hours, covering 8 - 10 miles AND am very comfortable without any knee pain.
If the Vantage seat is in the upper/elevated position, pedaling is easier as your whole body is elevated by 4" . This places your legs and knees in a higher position so you are pedaling "slightly downward"......all of these little changes/adjustments make a big change in pedaling a PA.

Most kayak fishing guys will attest to the positive benefits of "pedaling vs paddling"......just my take and observations of owning first a 2010 Hobie Outback and now a PA-14. 

Benefits?

I own both a Hobie and several paddling kayaks. I love my Hobie but after a full day of kicking around the lake my arthritis flares up in my knees and ankles and I go back to the paddle boats. Us 'old guys' all have health issues to work around. If I only had a Hobie in my fleet I'd have to cut back my fishing by about 80%. Yeah, the fish would breath a sigh of relief but I'd be bouncing off the walls if I couldn't fish every chance I got.

Skipperman, the Native Watercraft Propels are kind of a East coast Yak and I didn't get a chance to try before I ordered it through REI so I lucked out on it's fit for me. We don't have a lot of try and buy opportunities in Alaska. I had Mtn. Biked for thousands of miles so I figured the bicycle motion would be a better fit for me than the Hobies. The Propel 13 is a heavy boat with the drive and gear in but it is stable. I can get it on my bed extender T on my truck pretty easy by myself though.

yaktrap.....As an old guy too, I don't disagree with your reason for owing multiple kayaks, my point was if skipperman could only pedal the PA-14  for 5 minutes, then the Hobie PA was never adjusted/set up  to fit  his body.
It's like buying a pair of shoes that do not fit correctly.....they are uncomfortable and can hurt!

And we all know that "hands free fishing" + longer range are true "benefits".
Who knows, maybe the native watercraft propels suggested by akrod is a good solution too..

yaktrap.....As an old guy too, I don't disagree with your reason for owing multiple kayaks, my point was if skipperman could only pedal the PA-14  for 5 minutes, then the Hobie PA was never adjusted/set up  to fit  his body.
It's like buying a pair of shoes that do not fit correctly.....they are uncomfortable and can hurt!

And we all know that "hands free fishing" + longer range are true "benefits".
Who knows, maybe the native watercraft propels suggested by akrod is a good solution too..

When you find your 'right fit' kayak it's like slipping into a great pair of boots that have been broken in just for you. If a Hobie hurt in 5 minutes I doubt a Propel or adjusting the pedals will change much. WRT range, I doubt any peddle kayak will ever cover more water than me with a paddle. I've never seen a peddle kayak when I'm out on Swiftsure Banks.

If you're going to test Jackson Kayaks try out several models. The Big Tuna is great, but the weight and size can be an issue. I like the Jackson Cruise 10 for small to medium size lake fishing. It's very stable and fairly quick for such a small boat, and at 53 pounds it's like carrying an oversized suitcase. I'm not a small guy either, 5'10 and pushing 200 pounds. Jackson also makes a 12 foot version the Cruise 12 and a couple of those are around the PNW now.

I'd suggest you try lots of kayaks before you buy. The Northwest Paddlefest is coming up in May on Lake Sammamish and you can demo all those Jackson Kayaks and dozens of other brands for free on the same day.

We just ordered 2 of the Cruise 12 Anglers and the Big Tuna for our Heroes on the Water Chapter. We're really excited to try these out.

Dino!

I think you and the vets will really be stoked on the Cruise12s!!

I had two of them last year and had a ton of fun with em...even my 70+ year old Dad liked it!!

 

I liked the BigTuna as well, but since I mostly dive solo it was kinda overkill....but think it should work great for pairing vets with a HOW volunteer!

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...hope to you at Shelter Cove this year...bringing the wife and kids again! 

I'd like to try one of those Cruise 10 boats eventually. Looks great for bass ponds!