Jive
by
Necky Kayak
discontinued
This Product Has Been Discontinued
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Jive Description
The Jive is a kayak brought to you by Necky Kayak. Read Jive reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you!
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Jive Reviews
Read reviews for the Jive by Necky 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!
4
I am 5'8 and weigh 205 lbs. I…
I am 5'8 and weigh 205 lbs. I bought the Jive a few years ago to learn how to roll and to get comfortable surfing a closed deck boat. I live near San Diego and have become mostly a surf kayaker in recent years. When I asked some experienced BCU instructors what closed deck boat they recommended for getting started surfing decked boats they all agreed the Jive was the best place to start. True to their recommendations the Jive is easy to roll and easy to surf. It's a very forgiving boat. Slow compared to my surf kayaks and without fins it does not give the ability to hold on a wave as well as a surf kayak, or get off a wave or hit the lip. It will surf big waves, but not the best for fast breaking hollow waves. It is very loose and will spin if you flatten out at high speed, it teaches you to surf rail to rail and use the paddle as fin for trimming on a fast wave. It's a venerable little boat and a lot of fun in rock gardens and confused seas, bobs like a cork. It's small enough I throw it in my van or truck for traveling and it has seen a lot of waves up and down the California coast. Have done very little whitewater, but I was very confident after having been in rough ocean conditions in my Jive. Only drawback is that the foam seat is fairly uncomfortable as is the steel foot plate. I have to get out and stretch every couple of hours.
It's too bad Necky does not make this boat any more, it seems to be a very good design for both rivers and surfing . A good boat to get started.
4
Only downside is when…
Only downside is when compared to true playboats- otherwise great all round as others have noted- in addition its a great surfer on both freestanding waves and ocean waves- easy to roll- forgiving-great boat.
4
Great all around boat... I…
Great all around boat... I agree with the other posts on this site. I paddle the Jive 810... very comfortable... enough volume to punch through a nasty hole... GREAT river runner... easy to roll.
Great all around boat!!! Thumbs up!
4
The jive was the first boat…
The jive was the first boat that I ever paddled. It rolls easily and is very stable. Older jives tend to be a little uncomforatable due to the outfitting. However, necky recently began producing jives with comforatable bomber gear outfitting. I take it on five hour trips down the chattooga and don't even get slightly cramped. It is pretty playful and surfs like a dream. You have to be a little careful though when going through a big hole, because it will sometimes do a rear ender. All in all it is a very fine boat and I love it dearly.
4
This is my first boat -…
This is my first boat - bought it used for a good price. So far it's been great. It's a good all around boat, larger than the new play boats, but it still moves and rolls well. Pretty comfortable inside, I'm about 6'1" with long legs - the Jive fits me. I would highly recommend it for someone like me who is getting started in the sport and needs a boat that is versatile enough and forgiving enough to be fun in a lot of varied waters. Plus you can find them used for a steal! Great all around boat.
4
The Jive is perhaps the best…
The Jive is perhaps the best all around boat out there. It is a fast and playful, yet forgiving, boat that I am more than happy to paddle in easy class V. Great for learners as well as advanced, it won't throw down like the new boats... but if you can only own one boat this one will take you far. It does need outfitting work, (new thigh hooks), and for a larger person it might be uncomfortable over a long day, but some stretching can overcome that.
4
Great ocean surf boat easy to…
Great ocean surf boat easy to lean on and great for adv. surfers to work out the bugs on tricks. Surf a larger creek boat then this you will not go back. great boat to teach 1st time paddlers to roll in. adv. paddlers should move to the zip by necky.
4
This is a great boat,…
This is a great boat, particularly for beginners to intermediate level paddlers. It is easy to roll, and it is not so edgy that going in and out of every eddy doesn't try to roll it over. The flat planing hull surfs and 360's well, and the lower volume ends are slicey enough for enders. It ferries good too. A great all around river running boat. I would recommend this boat to anyone just getting started.
5
Great fun boat, very forgiving. Lets boat! …
Great fun boat, very forgiving. Lets boat!
4
Great beginner/advanced…
Great beginner/advanced kayak. Very stable, easy to roll and surf. Excellent secondary stability. Will stay on line even in pushy water up to Class IV. Playful river runner for larger paddlers. Stern can be somewhat catchy when learning.
On the downside, as the outfitting is poor, Dagger or Perception thighbraces are highly recommended to replace Necky plastic strips. Needs dawg bars as the security straps are the next-to-useless nylon web variety. A recessed drain plug and top to bottom bulkheads would be nice, too.
Jive