Select Page

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

BEFORE YOU CALL

Due to limited staffing at this time out Customer Service Team may not be able to answer every call as quickly as we would like. We are dealing with each customer in order they have been received.

SHIPPING
Ship dates are currently 3 to 5 days out on some products. We apologize for the wait but cannot change the speed of your delivery.

REPLACEMENT PARTS
Replacement parts, seats, and accessories are all available on our online store.  https://jacksonkayak.com

Can’t find what you are looking for? Common standard parts not found on our website are readily available on Amazon or your local hardware store, usually with great pricing and quick shipping! For some of the standard parts and sizes, see below.

FIRST TIME BUYER

Check out this detailed buyers guide for purchasing your first fishing kayak Click Here

PADDLE SIZING:  
We do not make paddles at Jackson but have great partners that do.  All of them have great “fit guides” to help you with your paddle selection:
– Bending Branches: https://bendingbranches.com/canoe-paddle-sizing-guide
– Werner Paddles: https://www.wernerpaddles.com/fit-guide/

PFD’s / LIFE VESTS
It is important that you wear a life vest at all times on the water.  Jackson does not manufacturer life vests, but have great partners who do.  Please check out:
– Kokatat Life Vests- https://kokatat.com/
– NRS Life Vests – https://www.nrs.com/

SKIRTS

Need help with skirt sizing? Check out this great sizing chart. https://immersionresearch.com/pages/skirt-fit

ADVICE FROM OUR TEAM ONLINE
In the meantime, here are some things you can do if you have general questions regarding kayaking and our kayaks:

  1. Ask an Expert – Click on the Ask an Expert link and we can get your question to all our team!  Responses are usually very fast. https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/ask-a-pro/ 
  2. Check out our FAQ’s – lots of great answers can be found there. https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/faqs/
  3. New to Kayaks? Here are some great blogs for the newcomer.
  4. https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/2021/02/ten-essential-kayak-fishing-tips/
  5. https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/2021/02/essential-gear-for-whitewater-kayaking/
  6. https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/2021/05/introduction-to-whitewater-kayaking-101/

Replacement and Spare Parts

Help! I need a replacement part for my kayak!
Pro Tip! Many of the parts of our kayaks are available from your local hardware store or online retailers. (Often for less than we charge)

Here are some common items and sizes:

  • Bungee;1/4″ Black Polyester- The thicker of the 2 bungee sizes we use on our kayaks 

  • Bungee, 3/16″ Black Poly- The thinner of the 2 Bungee sizes on our kayaks

  • Rivets; Pine-Tree Clip .250 dia x .510 – 4 of these hold the seat pad in place in our Whitewater kayaks 

  • T-Bolt; 1″ and 1.5″- The T-Bolts that are used on our kayaks. Available at YakAttack

  • 1” long, ¼-20 Screws- The screw size for the rear mounting plate on our fishing kayaks

Paddles, PFD’s, Skirts and Helmets

Does a paddle, PFD or skirt come with my new Jackson Kayak?

We do not sell nor do we include these items with our kayaks. Look above for some great suggestions for companies we trust to get your Paddles, PFD’s and sundry. They have great sizing charts and customer service and can help you out.

Replacement Seats

Help, I need a replacement seat for my kayak!? Which one do I get?

We are currently changing up our seat line-up and many seats have been removed or appear out of stock. These have become special order only. To order a replacement seat please contact Jackson Kayak Customer Service and we will be happy to help you find the right seat for your model.

Contact us

Just need to replace the fabric on your seat? 

The Elite Seat cover 3.0 will fit most (new or old) Jackson Kayak Seat. Does not fit the Bite Series Kayaks. Simply wrap it around the frame and tighten the straps to fit. You can find it here. Elite Seat Cover 3.0

To replace the seat cover on the Jackson Bite Series of Kayaks you will need the Comfort Seat Back and Bottom Cover Kit

For full seat replacement, here is each kayak we manufacture and the seat to go with it!

Blue Sky 360 Angler, Tricat and Pro – Special Order Please Contact info@jacksonkayak.com

Big Rig FD, HD, Coosa FD, Coosa HD, Cuda HD, Kilroy HD, Liska & Mayfly – Legacy Comfort Seat

Bite, Bite Angler, Bite Rec, Bite FD – Comfort Seat Frame and Cover

Big Tuna, Cuda,  Big Rig OG – Seat Frame and Cover

Original Coosa – Original Coosa Frame and Cover

Cruise 10, Cruise 12, Cruise 10 Angler, Cruise 12 Angler – Cruise Seat Frame and Cover

Cruise FD – Special Order Please Contact info@jacksonkayak.com

Yupik – Will require seat and Seat Slider Upgrade

Kraken 13.5, Kraken 15.5 – Ergo Seat 3.0

Skipper – Skipper Seat Cover

Tripper T (back seat), Original Kilroy, Big Rig, Big Tuna, Cuda 12 – Frame and Cover

Tupelo 12.5 – Tupelo Seat and Cover Kit

Tupelo 12 – Seat Frame and Cover

TakeTwo and Knarr – Comfort Seat Frame and Cover Kit

User Manuals

Do you have User Manuals for your kayaks?
We have online video User Manuals to explain the many aspects of kayak use and ownership.

Buying A Jackson Kayak

What are the performance differences between each model?

Refer to the kayak of your interest and click on the product description link to help understand the benefits and performance of each kayak.

How can I purchase a Jackson Kayak if I live outside of the US?

We have distributors all over the world. You can find our list of international distributers here. https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/jackson-kayak-international-distributors/

What colors are available?

Contact your local dealer to see what colors are available in stock.

Can you send me a product catalog?

We print limited numbers of catalogs each year. All of the information in the catalogs and much much more can be found on the Jackson Kayak website.

Can I buy a Jackson Kayak direct from the factory?
Sorry! We are not doing direct sales at this time. We encourage you to visit your local dealer, try before you buy, and support local business wherever possible! Here is a link to our dealer finder. https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/dealers/
How can I test out a Jackson Kayak before I purchase?

All of our dealers carry a “demo” model specifically for this reason. Call your nearest dealer to find out when they are having a “demo day” or if you can just swing by and pick the boat up to take out for a day. Some dealers will charge a “rental fee” for the day, but they may also deduct that amount from the purchase of a kayak so be sure to ask.

Outfitting

How do I choose the right paddle?
There are several options for paddles with a wide array of sizes and price points. The paddle that is best for you will depend on your size, and whether you are paddling a recreational or whitewater kayak. To determine which paddle is best suited for your paddling application please contact your local dealer to confirm the best choice based on your paddling needs. Here are some of our favorites.
– Bending Branches: https://bendingbranches.com/canoe-paddle-sizing-guide
– Werner Paddles:https://www.wernerpaddles.com/fit-guide/
How do I adjust my kayak outfitting?

Refer to the online Video User Manuals for instructions for specific kayaks. You can also check with your local dealer for all the “how to’s” of your kayak adjustments.

What size spray skirt do I need for my Jackson Kayak?
Please refer to https://immersionresearch.com/pages/skirt-fit or our product pages, where you will find the dimensions of the cockpits in the Product Details table. You can contact your local dealer to confirm which spray skirt may be best for you and your kayak.

Care and Maintenance

What are the repair options for my Jackson Kayak?
If your kayak was made with linear plastic and you would like to repair a gouge, you can use plastic welding rods to repair using a heat gun. You can order them directly from us here. https://jacksonkayak.com/plastic-welding-sticks/
What is the best way to clean, protect, and store my kayak?

Your kayak can be cleaned using a mild soap and water. If possible, storing inside, vertically is best. However, if stored outside, do not place in direct sunlight. If stored horizontally, place foam on bottom to help protect the plastic from warping.

What is the recommended way to transport my kayak?

A roof rack, whether factory installed or an aftermarket product, greatly enhances both security and convenience when transporting your kayak. The simplest, but not necessarily the most secure solution is to place mini cell foam cradles between the boat and the roof, and tie the boat to the roof rack, if so equipped, or through the door openings of vehicles without a roof rack.

There is a dent or depression in my hull. What can I do about it?

The first step is to put your kayak in direct sun for 4+ hours (try to put on a soft grassy area). Normally, the plastic will return to shape on its own. If it does not, try using weights or other heavy objects while leaving it in the sun to push the dent out. Almost boiling water can be used in absence of sunlight. Watch this informative video on how to remove dents.

Warranty

How do I make a warranty claim?
The first step is to complete the warranty form on this website.
https://hub.jacksonkayak.com/warranty/

Once submitted please allow 3 business days for a reply. It is very important to enter as much information as possible on the form. Pictures are very a very important part of the process. Take some clear close ups of the issue as well as some farther away. Put something like a pen or a penny in the picture so we can see the scale.

Where is my serial number?

The serial number is on the right stern at the parting line.

Fishing Specific Questions

How do I install a fish finder?

The Jackson fishing kayaks are designed to have transducers installed through the scupper holes. You’ll notice the underside openings for the scuppers are wide to fit any size transducer. Simply get a piece of high density foam and shape it to the shape of the scupper hole so that it fits snug, but yet is flush with the hull. Now, remove the foam and trace out the shape of your transducer. Then, cut the shape out with a knife or box cutters. Also, be sure to cut into the foam the proper depth of your transducer so that it now fits flush with the foam (and eventually the underside of the boat). Drill a hole through the center of the foam (or on one side) to run your transducer wire up to the top side deck of the boat. From there you will now install your unit via whatever method you’ve chosen (RAM, Scotty, Yak Attack etc) in whatever flat surface is available for mounting. We’ve left plenty of flat areas available for this, and keep in mind on the Cuda and Big Tuna you can mount to the center hatches if you prefer. Mount your unit and then find the best place for your batteries (on the Coosa it is in the day hatch, the Cud you may use the center hatch and on the Big Tuna you may have to externally secure them externally or run wire from the rear hatch if you choose to hang your battery box there). You can choose to glue the foam into the scupper hole (losing one scupper hole will not hurt) or you can shove it snuggly into the scupper hole so that it is easily removable.

Where do I buy accessories for my fishing kayak?

Visit/call your local dealer to find out if they carry JK accessories or go to our online store to order directly from Jackson Kayak. YakAttack, RAM Mounts, and Railblaza all carry kayak-specific accessory lines as well.

Given the high seat position, what length paddle should I get?

Most people use a 240cm paddle in the high position, but still everyone is different and some use 230cm and some use up to 260cm.

With the seat sitting up higher, aren't these fising kayaks less stable?

First off, every Jackson Fishing Kayak has the option to move the seat to a lower, more stable position – thus the name “Elite Hi/Lo Seat.” However, even with the seat in the higher position the kayaks are plenty stable because we knew the high position was something we were going to incorporate into the boat when designing the hull. So, we made the boat stable enough where most people can certainly enjoy the rewards of a higher, more comfortable seat once they feel comfortable enough to make the move. The kayaks are all made to stand and fish in as well, so you can imagine how stable they must be in order to accomplish that as well. About 80% of customers using the fishing kayaks stand and fish and about 90% use the seat exclusively in the high position.

What length, size chain should I use for the Coosa and Big Tuna drag chain?

The beauty of this system is that once you learn it, do it right, you’ll mix up your sizes/weights depending on where you’re fishing and what time of year it is. Higher volume and deeper water will require the longest and heaviest chain to slow you down. For that I recommend about a 22-24 inch piece of chain that will not hang lower than the keel of the boat when fully recessed onto the kayak. Make sure the gauge is about as wide as the drag chain “chutes” on the kayaks. If you still need some more weight/length, simply put a carabineer on the end of the chain and clip on a ball anchor (2-3lbs). This will certainly help turn the chain into an anchor, especially when you let as much line out as possible. Also, if you aren’t slowing down try making a couple back paddle strokes. This will slow the momentum of your boat and help the chain grip the bottom. Always be careful to not drop your drag chain if the current is too swift for you to back paddle. Back paddling upstream is the easiest way to get your drag chain un-hung if for some reason it does hang (wrapping the chain in Gorilla Tape or shrink wrap helps quiet it and not get hung as often). If you can’t back paddle, then the chain should not be dropped. Of course, worst case scenario is that you cannot get back upstream to get unhung and you have to cut your line.

Submit a Question

If your question has not been answered here at the FAQ, please feel free to submit a question for our Customer Service to answer: