Jackson Kayak Flow Review | Whitewater Kayaking

[@kevinhill.8]

Initial impressions of the new Jackson Kayak Flow after a low water lap on the Orletta section of the White Salmon River in WA. I definitely enjoyed the boat, but I'm not sure if it has a place in my quiver. I think it would need to replace both my M Antix and my S Gnar, since it kind of sits between the two (my M Antix is a pretty capable creeker for me, since I'm at the very bottom of the weight range). It could probably do this, but for step up runs, I'd probably prefer my Gnar, and for creeks I'm comfortable on, I'd rather be in my Antix...or my S Ripper 2 or S Firecracker, depending on the run. Thanks for watching! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. LINKS Takeout Talk: Flow vs Gnar kzbin.info/www/bejne/emKVqaimas5kfck Jackson Kayak Flow jacksonkayak.com/jackson-kayak-flow/ Jackson Kayak Gnarvana jacksonkayak.com/jackson-kayak-gnarvana/ TIMESTAMPS Intro 0:00 1st Surf 0:28 Seat Position 1:11 Orletta 1 1:34 1st Impressions 1:50 Orletta 2 2:14 Sticky Ledge 2:35 Smear (edges) 2:45 Rolling 3:28 Gnar Sizing: 4:00 Triple Drop 4:25 Main Surf 4:32 Pre-Flume Fail 4:52 Flume 5:04 Secondary Stability 5:44 Pre-BZ 5:58 Maytag 6:08 Final Thoughts 6:17 Shoutout 8:14 Outro 8:24

[@brianluisi7616]

Bro you got $ in the bank, you own a lot of new boats

[@williamrichmond8237]

Kevin, since you've been in the boat longer, has this replaced your small gnar? For Colombia Gorge/Idaho big water boating I'm 5'8" and 145 lbs with a medium gnar. I feel it's is a little big, and I am considering sizing down to the Flow since I don't want to max out the weight range taking it on shorter overnights.

[@kevinhill.8]

@@williamrichmond8237 yeah, I ended up selling the S Gnar and I’m using the M Flow exclusively as my creekboat now. I miss the Gnar at times (mostly on stuff that feels rowdy for my skill set), but overall I’m pleased with my decision.

[@kevinhill.8]

@@brianluisi7616 no, I just don’t have any kids. 😅

[@williamrichmond8237]

@@kevinhill.8 good to know! thank you!

[@coldwateronly]

Nice review. Speaking of which, where's the long-term review on that paddle?

[@kevinhill.8]

So true! And there’s a lot to tell bc I had some issues w the first one, and got a second one w new and (much) improved ferrule. I’ll try to get on it. 🎥 🙏

[@coldwateronly]

​@@kevinhill.8oh shit! Mine's in the mail and should be here any day...I'll keep in touch with my luck.

[@ダブルフロンテオ]

This is very good to see, Thank you. l am 150lbs, and also have M antix and S Gner, plus Stoke. I probably keep my S Gner for a while.😊

[@kevinhill.8]

Thx for watching and commenting. Sounds like we have a similar quiver. How’s the Stoke treating you? Does it feel bigger than the other two, or like you are too small for it? 🤔

[@ダブルフロンテオ]

Ifeel the Stoke is bigger than S Gner. S Gner easy to sunk a bottom of drop, but not Stoke. And more speed And tracking, very very reliable. I prefer S Gner for known creek run especially shallow narrow water, Stoke for unknown creek and fuge big water. I am enjoying both✨

[@chrispaine2265]

I’m really interested in demoing this boat. Called Next Adventure and their Flow (maybe it’s this same one?) has been damaged and out of service. I’ve yet to see one in the wild but am really curious about it.

[@kevinhill.8]

Yeah, probably the same boat. I wonder why it’s out of commission. Definitely give it a try when you get a chance. I’m more impressed with it all the time.

[@TheeboDRx]

Hey!! How does this paddle compared to a Hero?

[@kevinhill.8]

Hero was actually my first true WW kayak, but it’s been like 12 years, so I’ll do my best. Overall I’d say they are not very similar. Hero was shorter and much rounder. It was a good beginner boat imo, bc it was forgiving and slow, giving you time to make moves and not punishing you severely for improper edging, etc. The def downside to the Hero was that it was hole bait. Being that rounded and short (i.e., a potato) made it more likely to get stopped in holes, and tough to get out when that happened. In comparison, the Flow has a true planing hull with much more defined edges, a significantly sharper/sportier bow and stern, and is overall a more modern design. To me it feels very similar to my Antix 2.0, but with better bow rocker, better knee position, some added length, plus of course volume in the stern, making it a river runner, not a half slice. Hope that helps! Thx for watching and commenting. 👍🏼

[@brentwade9346]

Great review, Kevin. How do you find this boat compared to the Scorch?

[@kevinhill.8]

Scorch has more bow rocker and a flatter bow as well, so it stays on top of water more. Scorch is also significantly narrower, and with sharper rails, so it’s a little less forgiving, but def faster. Both are great designs. I was between sizes on the Scorch (I paddled a M, but it was a little too big), whereas the M Flow feels great.

[@brentwade9346]

@@kevinhill.8 Thanks. I love my Scorch L, but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a little more forgiveness, while keeping speed and carve. That said, at 6’2, 200, the Scorch L fits me perfectly. Gonna be interesting to try the Flow L when it comes out - they look like JK kinda Scorchified the Gnar a little ;-)

[@kevinhill.8]

@@brentwade9346 I had someone else mention that they thought the Flow was trying to be like a Scorch, but I honestly don’t see it. The only similarity in my mind is that they made Flow have sharper edges than Gnar, but they gave it less bow rocker, and it’s way shorter and wider than a Scorch. Very different boats imo. Plus, the hull and edges on Flow are really much more like the Antix 2 vs anything else.

[@edouardvachon821]

what size is that blue gnar. i usually run some size L boat but im scared that the L gnarv feels to big. if you have ever ride a L could you let me know about your thought

[@kevinhill.8]

That is a buddy’s L Gnar in the video. I have a S Gnar, and used to have a M. I have multiple friends who paddle L Gnars. Most of them are 220+ lbs (100+ kilos), and they love the boat. What is your weight?

[@edouardvachon821]

@@kevinhill.8 Im about 210

[@Solokayaker888]

Groovy review.

[@kevinhill.8]

Thx! 😎

[@Solokayaker888]

@@kevinhill.8 I think will stay with my Z3, it just has to be driven harder, but its paid for! Bwaaahahahaha

[@kevinhill.8]

@@Solokayaker888 how do you like the Z3? I’ve never tried one and I don’t see a lot of them around. Very wide and flat bottom, if I remember correctly. 🤔

[@Solokayaker888]

@@kevinhill.8 Cant get anymore stable, its actually hard to go over. Its sluggish unless you drive it on its edges, then it comes alive. People get in them and backseat them and it needs to be driven. dont be a puss with it is what I'm saying I guess. i love it on the small creeks, does great in big water as well, I also have a Dagger Code, which kicks ass. ROCKER! Peace out.

[@kevinhill.8]

@@Solokayaker888 glad you’re making it work, and enjoying both boats. Lots of good designs on the market right now. 👍🏼

[@brianluisi7616]

Lol i just ran that in a rockstar 4 weeks ago

[@kevinhill.8]

Nice. It’s one of the last good things going as flows drop out this time of year. Was it your first time on it? Have your run it higher?

[@artfisher1235]

Gnar v for bitty folk. Problem is, steep micro creekers need more volume in same length or less.

[@kevinhill.8]

This M Flow certainly is short than M Gnar (5’5” vs 5’10”), but it’s also 14 gal less, so def loses some real volume.

[@followingrj]

Glad to see some new content from you Kevin. I know it’s all about functionality but I almost feel like Jackson intentionally wants to make an ugly bow with the past couple boats. I mean, surely, they have heard the community comment on how ugly the gnarvana bow is with as many reviews and people have said the same thing so you would at least think they’d try to do something a little different in their deck linings. Anyway, just my 2 cents, other than that I’m sure it’s another good boat they released.

[@kevinhill.8]

Thanks! It’s been a minute for sure. Got a new puppy a few months ago (Aussie named Eddy), and he’s been keeping me pretty busy. I can’t say I totally disagree w you about the bows. The Flow def looks better than the Gnar, but still pretty simple, and not near as stylish as Pyranha and Waka bows. Thx for watching and commenting! 👍🏼

[@followingrj]

@@kevinhill.8 yeah totally agree, pyranha and waka have some sexy looking bows