OK, first of all, I'd like to thank those who offered there help for my previous \"first boat\" questions...

Now, I have a new problem, I discovered that the world of kayaking has become
very specific and compartmented, it is therefore very hard to first, find a boat that will fit you on TECH sheets and hopefully fit your butt too. Then, you have to find what you want to do with the boat AND THEN, HOPE someone will have the exact boat you are looking for, used and in good condition...

There were quit a few, fully equipped, used boats for sale in my area but, they
either sell quicker than I can even get to contact the seller or even if they fit my description, are awfully uncomfortable to me.

I now decided to look at new boats or slightly used DEMOS.


I'm VERY interested in the JACKSON FUN.

So to get to the point of my question here, does anyone on this forum have experience on both the FUN AND the NEW 2007 FUN???

It seems, from JACKSON`s website, that they still sell the older model as a \"classic series\" FUN and since it's $300 cheaper than the 2007 model, I was wondering if the NEW design was worth those $300 extra for a beginner to notice the difference.

Also, I just, a few minutes ago, clicked on the FLUID banner on top of the screen of this site and was attracted to the FLIRT series.

How would the small FLIRT compare to the FUN performance wise???

I'm 5'10\", 150 Lbs., size 10.5 shoes and 31 inseam...

Thank you for taking time to read this long text...

Hi Alex,
I can't say much about the Jackson except what i've seen of other people paddling the Fun.
As far as the Flirt goes it is more playful. I'm almost exactly size (maybe a tad shorter but same weight). I lived and worked on the Zambezi with a Small Flirt and day in and day out it handled the montrsous volume of such river despite being only 45gallons. I also know many beginners with the boat and they all rave about it. There is a myth surrounding the Flirt that it is difficult to roll but this is totally ungrounded (probably some small person trying to tame the Large Flirt, or something).
If you have any other queries please ask...

Cheers
Scotty R

p.s. Quebec is a rocking part of the world

THANK YOU VERY MUCH Scotty R. that's exactly what I needed to hear...

So the FLIRT really is, like they say on the website, a \"PLAYBOAT\" with good \"RIVER RUNNING\" abilities...

That's exactly what I'm looking for...

I also finally found a dealer near where I live (was referred to by EJ), called CAMP DE BASE where they sell both JACKSON and FLUID. I say FINALLY cause, it seems everyone who sells kayaks around the Montréal area, sells only RIOT, NECKY, LIQUID LOGIC, WAVESPORTS or PYRANHA...

I'm going today to at least sit in the boats and see how I really FIT in them.

I can't speak for the Jacksons but you'll find the Fluid boats very roomy inside. They tend to be that way to accomodate a wide range of people. The Flirt is an awesome little boat. Try it out, you'll like it I'm sure.

For your size, skill level and the fact that river running is also important to you, you might want to try the medium Flirt. Just a thought.

Otherwise the Spice is also an option but it won't have the same play potential as the Flirt, naturally. But would be a better river runner.. Choices.. Demo, demo, demo

As far as the Jackson boats go, from what I have heard the 07 model is worth the extra $. I have not paddled the Classic fun series but many people who have tell me it is an entirely different boat. I *think* I read somewhere on the Jackson site that the currently produced Classic series are also made from heavier rotomolded plastic which is how they are able to make them more affordable for the tight budget. The strength and light weight of the 07 model was a major selling point for me, along with the comfort factor of the pumped up volume around the feet.

Thanks mralsaka and Adrian for your help anf info.

I have not paddled any of the fluid kayaks so I can not speak for them.

I know that the Jackson Fun series is a wonderful set of boats. The extra $ for the 07 vs the \"classic\" series is well worth the money. The extra $ gets you the happy feet and sweet cheeks (they are awesome and so comfortable. The newer plastic is amazingly hard and light

As far as ability to roll goes... yes the fluid is a little wider but rolling is about the paddler for the most part. If you have apowerful enough hip flick you are fine.

Really it is all about demo. What fits you best? Personally JK works for me and as soon as I have enough saved up I will be gettign a Super Fun for my river runner.

Lat us know how you do

Hi there, I'm in more or less the same position as you. Trying to decide what I'm going to pick as my main kayak for probably the next 2 years (at least!).
I'm picking up a demo Dagger Rx Prescription 6.9 on Thursday, and I'm picking up a demo Jackson SuperFun on Friday, so I'll let you know how things go.
I'm going to be getting one of these boats.
For completness, I'm 6ft, 100kg, 225lb, size 9 (uk) shoes.
Robert

Hun! I just learned something here...

A demo is a boat you can pick up from a dealer???

I thought demo meant going to an event when some manufacturers are there to promote there products...

I was looking all around for where I could find such an event.

I'll just call the dealer that I just found out sells JACSON & FLUID and see what comes out of it.

Everyone here is very nice and helpful, I'll be sure to let you know what happens.

RobertD wrote:

Hi there, I'm in more or less the same position as you. Trying to decide what I'm going to pick as my main kayak for probably the next 2 years (at least!).
I'm picking up a demo Dagger Rx Prescription 6.9 on Thursday, and I'm picking up a demo Jackson SuperFun on Friday, so I'll let you know how things go.
I'm going to be getting one of these boats.
For completness, I'm 6ft, 100kg, 225lb, size 9 (uk) shoes.
Robert

Except for the fact my feet are bigger (assuming an American 12 is bigger than a UK 9), I am pretty much the same size as you. FWIW, I found the Superfun to be quite fast and bouyant for riverrunning but for all around use it seemed too big for me. I found the 4Fun to still be quite comfortable for river running yet small enough to make the play moves possible. I have not yet learned to make the play moves but I have loaned the boat to more experienced boaters who showed me the possibilities (and seemed to have a great time doing so). If I were you I would give the 4Fun a demo before making a decision based on the SuperFun alone, unless you are possitive you will not have any inclination to ever get more playful. Just a thought!

Thanks for that MrAlaska, I'll keep that in mind.
At the moment, I've only been doing riverrunning, (and lots of polo) but was hoping to venture into playboating soon (as soon as another day is added to the weekend).
I'm demoing an Rx too, which is in the same weight range as the 4fun, so I'll be able to get an idea of how they might compare.
Paddled a Bliss Stick Rad 195 earlier this year, but thought it was a little too big for me. Lovely boat though. If I were to get a full on playboat, I'd definatley look at a Bliss Stick boat.

Alexidewayz, don't know how it is with you guys, but here in Ireland, most retailers have a selection of boats they'll let you take out for a week or so to try out. (The boats are normally a lower spec thought)
Handy.
Anyway, good luck with any demos you get.
Robert