Jackson Kraken VS Wilderness Systems Thresher

[King Saba]

Originally Posted by Harry Hill

I am going through the start cheaper and work you way up phase. I wish I had just bitten the bullet in the beginning and bought a better yak but being retired stops some plans. So I started with a bass pro ascend fs12t because I didn't know any better, very stable but it works you. Then I had another consideration when moving up, my wife who loves to fish and had a sit in ascend has some nerve damage in her hands so she can't tie on hooks or lures anymore so we needed a tandem so I don't have to keep paddling back to where she is every time she breaks off. So money still being a factor I bought a Malibu Pro2tandem that is hard to set up for fishing but I am making it work. If I had been smart though I would have bought the Jackson Tandem or the Native tandem. both are already set up for fishing but much more expensive. I guess what I am saying is though if you can wait, get the better kayak. At the rate I'm goiing I'm going to have three kayaks sitting in my yard while I fish out of a fourth.

Why not sell the old kayaks? You can scrape some money back that way.

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by King Saba

Why not sell the old kayaks? You can scrape some money back that way.

I will eventually but I want to make sure I have something to fish from until I get what I want.

[alanw]

The X-Factor is an excellent choice for a first kayak or for a keeper kayak if the seating works for your back. Get a high-back seat for it and use a Thermarest seat pad for added comfort if needed. Super stable and tons of storage, but a slower paddler and can be a wet ride. Get a newer model with the built in livewell if you plan on fishing with live bait. I loved mine as a fishing platform but ultimately sold it because of the seating and the speed.

Don't let the tippiness keep you from the Kraken. It's tippy compared to get X-Factor but it's not that bad once you get used to it. The pro's definitely outweigh the con's.

There's nothing wrong with buying a starter kayak with plans on upgrading. That's a good way of figuring out what works for you. Just find a good deal on a newer model used kayak and resell within a year or so and you won't lose much money on the trading. With a bad back I'd opt for the better seat. Hobbie, Native, and Jackson all have models with nice elevated seating.

[Stuck20]

Have you considered the Wilderness Systems ATAK? It has the flex pod like the Thresher but with a better seat and should be more stable.

[BigAppa]

Originally Posted by Stuck20

Have you considered the Wilderness Systems ATAK? It has the flex pod like the Thresher but with a better seat and should be more stable.

There's also the new Tarpon 130 x with the airpro max seat. Op should really consider this option over the thresher: better seat, more stability for us bigger guys, paddles well, for about the same price as the thresher 140.

I talked to the ws rep at Fred hall, and he said that production was delayed bc they had found a flaw in the mold, so they're looking at late April or early May production start.

This was the kayak I was waiting for, especially since I had read that the new pedal drive would fit it, but the ws rep also said that the pedal drive will not be fitting any existing kayaks they have including the tarpon 130x. But a new kayak is in development which will fit the pedal drive, and both should debut at this summer's icast and go into production possibly this fall.

The tarpon 130x looks like a great kayak. I had been waiting nine months to get get it, but I want a pedal drive, but unfortunately, none of the hobies fit my needs, and I'm not a big fan of native propels. So I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for this new pedal kayak from ws, but man, another six months will be torture.

[easyday]

If you're going to be fishing lakes and sheltered waters you might want to take a look at the ATAK. It has a crazy comfy seat and is super stable. If you have any ?s about it feel free to shoot me a PM.

[easyday]

Originally Posted by BigAppa

There's also the new Tarpon 130 x with the airpro max seat. Op should really consider this option over the thresher: better seat, more stability for us bigger guys, paddles well, for about the same price as the thresher 140.

I talked to the ws rep at Fred hall, and he said that production was delayed bc they had found a flaw in the mold, so they're looking at late April or early May production start.

This was the kayak I was waiting for, especially since I had read that the new pedal drive would fit it, but the ws rep also said that the pedal drive will not be fitting any existing kayaks they have including the tarpon 130x. But a new kayak is in development which will fit the pedal drive, and both should debut at this summer's icast and go into production possibly this fall.

The tarpon 130x looks like a great kayak. I had been waiting nine months to get get it, but I want a pedal drive, but unfortunately, none of the hobies fit my needs, and I'm not a big fan of native propels. So I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for this new pedal kayak from ws, but man, another six months will be torture.

There is a motor drive for the 130x that is coming out for it as well its a really cool add on and optional feature. It will fit anything with the flex pod OS. Also I totally understand the excitement about a pedal drive in a WS.

[StinkyMatt]

Comfort trumps everything else. (Especially with a bad back)



It does not matter where the FF is located or if there is a rod pod if your kayak is in the garage because it hurts to use it.



The new "lawn chair" style seats like the Hobie blow the old style seats away.....different ball game.

[sandico]

A lot of good information in this thread. I can speak to this very comparison. I have a bad back and have paddled both of these kayaks. Comfort is the most important factor. The seat in the Thresher really gets me in less than an hour. The Kraken seat is much more comfortable and I can last a lot longer before I have any pain. I am also able to stand up in the Kraken for short periods to help me relieve/rest my back. I am a little smaller, 190, but still can stand. I currently have a Tarpon 140 and have had Tarpon 160's for 11 years and will be getting into a kayak with a lawn chair style seat. I also like the XFactor and Stealths but the seat just doesn't work for my back. I also am waiting to test out the Tarpon 130X. We will have it in the shop after the Fred Hall Show at Del Mar where it is currently in our booth. Early comments from Iceman is that he really likes the 130X as a paddler with a comfortable seat. Just remember what others have said, sore back equals a kayak in the garage!

Come check us out at Fred Hall starting tomorrow, deals to be had on many of the kayaks at the show

Kerry
OEX Mission Bay

[GregAndrew]

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Comfort trumps everything else. (Especially with a bad back)



It does not matter where the FF is located or if there is a rod pod if your kayak is in the garage because it hurts to use it.



The new "lawn chair" style seats like the Hobie blow the old style seats away.....different ball game.

Yep, nobody would be crazy enough to go out every week in a kayak that did not have a lawn chair for a seat! (Except for me and a few dozen others?)

Seriously though, tippy usually describes only the primary stability of kayaks. Once you learn (by experience) about the secondary stability, you will forget about tippy. Slow, on the other hand, never goes away. Figure out how and where you want to use it, then choose a kayak that fits.