Kraken 15.5
This Product Has Been Discontinued
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Kraken 15.5 Description
This kayak is designed for some of the most challenging paddling environments in the world and intended for the offshore and big lake kayak angler.This kayak marks the first collaborative design between legendary kayak angler, Jim Sammons and Jackson Kayak’s design team led by Tony Lee. The end result is a boat shaped and built to accommodate those hitting the open water, those looking for speed, comfort, perfect trim and big water management. It’s a paddlers fishing kayak! It’s designed for punching through surf, handling rough offshore currents, swells, beach landings and those who desire ultimate performance when paddling long distances to get on big fish.
Kraken 15.5 Specs and Features
- Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
- Seating Configuration: Solo
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Jackson Kayak
Kraken 15.5 Reviews
Read reviews for the Kraken 15.5 by Jackson Kayak as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!
When I took the plunge on…
When I took the plunge on purchasing a new fishing rig the question was paddle or pedal? Since I am an avid bike rider, I chose paddle. I was looking for a big water great paddling kayak suitable for a big guy and the Kraken met all my needs. Paddles great and tracks true. It has bee a very stable platform for fishing and with a Dragonfly fish finder, has been a fishing machine.
It's a big boat... With all the challenges that come with big. Harder to cartop, heavier to drag across the beach, etc... Smaller folks should go for the 13.5. However out on the water, the size just melts away. If you like to fish and paddle, take a look at this boat.
I primarily use my Kraken out…
Water trail access to LM here in Chicago is through Chicago Park District beaches so its all surf launches. The Kraken can really push through the surf and cut through the waves to get you out into the open waters without taking an unexpected swim (provided you know how to paddle through waves). Once out in the water, paddling 3+mi to get to the fishing spots is fairly quick and more importantly, I don't feel tired or fatigued before I've even begun fishing.
When I'm out on Lake Michigan I'm there to fish the day, I'm talking 8+ moving around chasing baitfish so having enough water/food/snacks/etc is never an issue. Between the center hatch, access to the hull under the center hatch, and the storage space area behind the KKrate, I can put all that I need in all of these areas. The front storage hatch is big enough that I can breakdown and store my C-Tug trolley easily.
The Elite seat 3.0 is COMFY! Let's get that out there right away plus the ability to "trim" the seat forward and back really helps when you have a heavy load on the yak. Depending on the water conditions you can adjust your seat to raise the bow or lower it to cut through the waves, etc etc.
The Kraken is fairly slim coming in at about 30" wide but it is stable! The biggest point to make when speaking about the Kraken's stability is that if you're used to paddling wider yak's, or never paddled a kayak before, the initial feeling is that its not stable. The reality is that you need to acclimate yourself to the Kraken and learn it. Put in the time to just paddle it, push its limits, purposely rock side-to-side to try and flip it...once you gain confidence in it, you'll really see how stable it is. However, if you like to stand this isn't the kayak for that!
My first couple of times loading/unloading it I accidentally dropped it and it held up very well. Superficial damage only so it seems really durable to me. The Kraken is ready to hit the water and fish right out of the factory! For the price you pay, you really get a lot of features and that to me is what attracted me to purchase this yak.
My only critique for improvement is the front handle. Because I'm almost exclusively launching from the beach with a full load, it can be a challenge to haul the Kraken 50+ft through the sand to the water to launch. If the handle was perpendicular to the yak it would allow me to use more of my forearm/bicep/arm/shoulders into pulling the yak through the sand. Because it's currently positioned length wise, it doesn't allow you to use more of your stronger muscle groups in your arms. Outside of the sand however, it's not much an issue I will admit though.
Overall, great value, great features, great performance. If you fish BIG open bodies of water....Great Lakes, Big Reservoirs, Offshore, you should really consider the Kraken and if nothing more, give it a test paddle!