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Jazz Description

The Jazz is a kayak brought to you by Mainstream Kayaks. Read Jazz 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!

Mainstream Kayaks
Jazz Reviews

Read reviews for the Jazz by Mainstream Kayaks 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!

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4

Sit-on-top kayaks are much…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 4/10/2019

Sit-on-top kayaks are much safer and impossible to sink, unlike sit inside kayaks. This little kayak is a lot of fun and can easily fit on top of most cars or inside vans/trucks. Lightweight, inexpensive and built solid. Very hard to tip over, pretty fast and responsive. These kayaks are a great and inexpensive way to enjoy kayaking. They are rated at 275 pounds. Handles the surf and waves well. I purchased a two-seat kayak and don’t need this kayak anymore.

5

Picked up a used Zazz and we…

Submitted by: paddler236902 on 6/28/2016
Picked up a used Zazz and we played with it at Salt Pond in Kauai, which is a protected swimmimg area with some light waves coming through the reef. It was an absolute blast! Very hard to tip over, was pretty fast and responsive and my girlfriend paddled all over the place enjoying herself immensely. Going way past her comfort zone and kept me company while I snorkled. I have a zest 2 exp for napali, scupper pro tw for diving. This little kayak was a lot of fun. Lightweight, inexpensive and built solid
4

Just purchased this kayak a…

Submitted by: paddler234295 on 9/22/2011
Just purchased this kayak a couple weeks ago. It is very stable, but being only 9 ft long, it does not track very well. Kayak is very light at 36 lbs. I have added rod Holder paddle keepers and a DIY skeg to help with tracking. Plenty of storage under rubber day hatch. I also added a seat with backrest, very comfy ride if you are not paddling a great distance across open water; go with a longer kayak for open water. This yak is a great inexpensive way to get into the sport
4

Two weeks ago I borrowed one…

Submitted by: paddler232674 on 6/19/2008
Two weeks ago I borrowed one of these Jazz Kayaks from a friend. After 5 minutes I was addicted, these kayaks are truly a great and inexpensive way to enjoy kayaking. They seem to ride the waves and current extremely well. I am proud to say I have just ordered two of these kayaks for myself.
3

We borrowed a friend’s…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/1/2006
We borrowed a friend’s Mainstream Jazz a few weeks ago to go kayaking on Puddingstone Lake in Southern California. Unfortunately, I really didn’t like it all that much. It didn’t really track very well and I found it somewhat fatiguing to paddle as I had a hard time keeping up with the other people in my group. It also sits quite low so my seat and feet were always in water. I personally preferred the Wilderness Systems Riot and my favorite, the Bic Sport Bilbao, but my friend (the owner of the Jazz) likes this one the best. I guess it goes to show that you really do have to try a bunch of boats before finding the one that’s best for you!
5

Purchased this yak a year ago…

Submitted by: paddler231063 on 6/13/2006
Purchased this yak a year ago to paddle down the river instead of using my touring Perception Carolina. I love this sit-on-top! Doesn't track very well, but when the river is flowing I don't have to paddle much. Also take it to the Sea of Cortez and it's very stable in the surf.
4

Great little kayak at least…

Submitted by: BoyScout on 4/19/2006
Great little kayak at least to me. It tracked way better than I expected, still was stable and turned well too. Very lite which is a big plus. The only complaint Ii have is the deep sides. (the pegesus and torrent, and caymen are more open. these being the ones I am most used to) which to be fair is just a miner thing I am sure I will outgrow quick. A backband is a good idea just use one that does'nt have a seat. Overall a pretty nice short sot. especialy if you consider the wieght and price range.
4

My GF and I rented a pair of…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/2/2004
My GF and I rented a pair of jazz's yesterday. They seem pretty stable and cruise at an ok speed - just not very fast and you have to keep paddling if you wanna keep going. They dont track very well, but thats what you get with a short wide flat bottom boat without much of a keel. Im sure this thing would be fun catching waves. You really need a soft backrest. My lower back was in constant pain.
4

I think this SOT kayak is…

Submitted by: paddler230664 on 7/6/2004
I think this SOT kayak is great for beginners such as my self. I bought it to do some surfing at the beach and my first time out was great with it. Easy to handle and very comfortable as well.
5

12'9 square stern use mainly…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/1/2004
12'9 square stern use mainly trapping super stable very tough, extremly happy with it buying double ender too.
4

OK. love the boat, handles…

Submitted by: paddler230459 on 1/27/2004
OK. love the boat, handles like a dream, is light and has built in handles. It is also really pretty. i got a back rest before i even tried to use it. works well. i did have a small problem. the boat like to "go with the flow" as in follow the waves, ever tried paddling upwind, against the tide in something that manuvers with the waves? fun right? I really did enjoy it though.
4

I bought two Mainstream Jazz…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 10/9/2003
I bought two Mainstream Jazz SOT kayaks early in the summer. We had never paddled a kayak before in our life and only had rented a canoe once. We took the pair of SOT's to the local state park lake and in less than ten minutes my 7 and 9 yr old kids were paddling and maneuvering these things like they had been doing it for years. My wife and I love these simple, inexpensive ($450/pair) boats. We did add foam backrests for lower back support. About 15 minutes without the back support was all I could take. Now, with the back rests, we can go for hours. We have only paddled on still water (lake) so I can't talk about handling on moving water. As far as tracking straight, they are very short boats and the back end 'wiggles' side to side with each stroke but I can turn a 180 with a single stroke. Very easy to turn. They are rated at 275 lbs, I think. I am 284 lbs and mine does just fine. Very fun boats.