Tupelo 12

My wife and I both purchased the Jackson Tupelo 12 because they were on sale for a killer price. We both had experience with the Tupelo 12.5 and really liked them. This is what got us looking at Jackson in the first place. Overall I think they are great Kayaks and we got them at a killer deal. I don't think Jackson will be making the 12 in the future so maybe that's why why were on sale. If money and / or space was no issue, then I would pick the 12.5 hands down.

The good:
1. They are well made, I love the removable lawn chair type seat, the new 12.5 have transitioned to a mounded seat bottom, i haven't tried that out yet.
2. They aren't too heavy
3. They are technically 11'10" so they fit in our garage space better
4. They have keel skid plates
5. They have a rear bulkhead and storage is behind the bulkhead
6. They paddle pretty well
7. Tracking is pretty good but the 12.5 is superior
8. Speed is pretty good but the 12.5 is superior
9. Stability is great, it is a very stable boat (primary and secondary)
10. Mounting racks ala YakAttack are placed in several places and countersunk into the body of the kayak for snag free, accessorizing
11. Spacious cockpit, my wife has enough room for her and our 15lb dog in there.

The bad:
1. The height of the cockpit at the foot rests does not lend to comfort for larger feet. I'm a size 12 and my Chaco's don't fit top to bottom, I have to go barefoot. A snug water show may work but there isn't much room for larger feet.
2. The 250 lb weight capacity. I talked to Jackson and this is not a limit, you won't sink the boat at 250 but you won't get as good of performance as you approach or exceed the capacity. For reference, I'm 235 and I do fine in the boat. I do notice it not being as fast, tracking as well, or gliding like the 12.5 but I getting close to the 250, as to not add insult my wife carries most of the gear :). My wife is much lighter and she still says that the 12.5 is a faster, better paddling boat. I do sit a bit lower in the water than she does in the same boat but not by as much as I would have thought.
3. There is a foam separator between your left and right feet areas that I'm not a fan of although that is where the water bottle strap is so that part is convenient.

All in all these are great boats. We picked them up for the reasons stated above and have no regrets. They will do us well for many years or until we decide to upgrade. If I had it to do all over, I would still pick up these boats at that price. If the prices were closer, and we had the room in the garage, I would go with the Tupelo 12.5 and so would my wife. But we are quite happy with these boats.

Colors purchased: Cobra and Macaw

This boat is really stable. Easy to get in and out of but in the water it's not so good. Bought mainly as a recreational kayak, as I don't do much fishing, but lots of bird and critter watching, Once across the lake, it's ok but it's a bit of a dog getting there. It can't compared to my Pungo120UL. Tracking is poor, it tends to the right, no matter the water/wind conditions and it labors through the water, even when calm. There is an annoying squeak from the seat and when assembling the boat, they were pretty sloppy with the glue as it's smeared on the hull in many places. I thought the boat would be a good choice but was wrong. I like that it weighs only 40 pounds, but it's not a paddlers dream.