tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347463840298564760.post1516677434566091855..comments2023-09-22T02:08:55.225-07:00Comments on Paddle California: Jackson Kayak Karma RGBryant Burkhardthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14962650670783506022noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347463840298564760.post-41514025758737034802014-05-20T07:29:32.864-07:002014-05-20T07:29:32.864-07:00See, this is why I don't like doing reviews - ...See, this is why I don't like doing reviews - everyone has their own opinion and likes to judge. I do work in the industry but have no interest in the company - if anyone in the industry can't review anything than a lot of knowledge will not be getting out there. The truth is that professionals are generally in the best position to see a wide variety of gear and have the experience to make good judgments.<br /><br />In regards to specific points:<br />- All the production boats I've seen have stern deck lines with piping. They also have rigging up front for more lines if you want. I mistakenly reversed it in the review, saying you could rig rear lines if needed (I've corrected that now). To be clear: it comes with rear lines (all you need for standard ocean rescues) and it takes about $5 of cord and five minutes to rig up bow lines if you want them.<br />- I said the stern hatch is not secure enough for some applications; your Grand Canyon trip would be a perfect example.<br />- As for grab handles, the boat does come with standard solid whitewater handles at the front and the back. Yes, some of the folks in the video added a rope to the stern handle to make it easier to grab - a common practice on whitewater boats.<br /><br />I'm sorry if you feel the review is inaccurate. I still stand by everything I said and I've heard from a number of people who have production boats and are really happy with them. But no one has to believe me or trust me or even listen to me. If you want to buy a boat, go take a look at it, demo it, and think for yourself.<br />Bryant Burkhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14962650670783506022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347463840298564760.post-67902232786402589602014-05-20T00:25:05.397-07:002014-05-20T00:25:05.397-07:00The quality of the hatch is not up to Jacksons usu...The quality of the hatch is not up to Jacksons usual standards. Its a fishing Kayak hatch at best. Not designed for the Colorado for sure.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05050494128156106551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347463840298564760.post-33233478973112660512014-05-20T00:21:40.574-07:002014-05-20T00:21:40.574-07:00Your Review is incorrect the production boat does ...Your Review is incorrect the production boat does not ship with deck lines it has some bungee fore and aft but the deck lines are absent. The grab handles featured with this video and mentioned in the review are also not supplied. The rear hatch seal is certainly not up to a Grand Canyon trip and is removed all to easily. It is obvious you have a vested interest in this Kayak and your review is therefore ill considered lacks credibility and not impartial.<br /><br />The boat has been rushed to market the moulding of the rear hatch lip needs improvement.<br /><br /><br />. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05050494128156106551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347463840298564760.post-4778322011458852392014-03-27T10:23:20.768-07:002014-03-27T10:23:20.768-07:00Yeah, the Rockhopper gets mentioned every once in ...Yeah, the Rockhopper gets mentioned every once in a while when rock gardening comes up. But they've never really made it to the west coast - I don't think I know anyone who has actually seen one, much less paddled it. Seems like it could be a nice design but it takes more than that to get a boat out into the paddling world.Bryant Burkhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14962650670783506022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347463840298564760.post-34827773465367407582014-03-21T07:19:22.940-07:002014-03-21T07:19:22.940-07:00Check out the Blue Sky Rockhopper series in the UK...Check out the Blue Sky Rockhopper series in the UK.....these were not drawn up on white water hulls (and have been around for a few years)....also Valley produced a glass rockhopping hull called the Cliff Hanger in the 90s...also not based on white water hulls...<br />Glad to see that more emphasis is being put on this style of paddling....there have been a few of us who have been pushing this fun for years now!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01111336258268688925noreply@blogger.com