December
08
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FIRST LOOK: Jackson Kayak Zen
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the large 2015 Jackson Kayak Zen for some time. The medium sized prototypes I had initially paddled showed so much promise as a great performing all rounder.
Just short of 9ft with volume estimated to be a little under 90 US gallons, this new large Zen is a departure from the original in both performance and looks. With ample volume bow to stern coupled with a great rocker profile, the Zen immediately appears more creek worthy than the slim lines of the previous version.
The large Zen is dwarfed by the large Dagger Mamba or large Jackson Karma but it fits my 6’4”, 36” inseam and 190 lbs very comfortably but doesn’t give up much more room compared to these other boats although it would certainly handle plenty more weight.
At my weight, the large Zen is a performance creekable river runner that begged to be driven hard into eddies and across hard moves. The Zen is quick to accelerate which made eddy hopping a breeze. The platform is super stable, dry and predictable but when things do go wrong, it rolled super easily. It even surfed well. Put heavier folks in the large Zen and I suspect more of its playfulness will emerge at the expense of its light footed nimbleness.
The 2015 Jackson Kayak Zen has a huge fun factor and may just be the best Jackson Kayak yet for my size and paddling ability. I’m excited to add it to my quiver and see where this large 2015 Zen will take me.
Chris Hipgrave 
Great maneuvering in some great waters!! Enjoyed it!!
Dear Chris thanks for what I think is a much needed fist look,as there is little on this new boat out there. I have ordered the large Zen 2015.
Do you think it will surf as well as a the 2012 Zen? I read one comment on the Jackson site that said it would not, but I’d like to know why. And would it be a minor difference? (I’m 176 lb without gear, about 190lbs with all winter gear, and 5’11”)
cheers
Stefan, Australia
Hi Stefan. Thanks for the question. Most the waves we have here in the southeastern USA are short, steep and fast. I found the new Zen to surf better than the old one on these types of waves. I suspect that’s a result of more rocker and more volume. I haven’t surfed it much but when I have I found it fun and dynamic. Now on a glassy green wave that might be completely different story, but sadly we don’t have many waves like that round here. Hope this helps. Cheers!
Thanks Chris, sounds good to me!
Chris – What are your thoughts on sizing. I understand they have designed the new ZEN to accommodate a larger paddler. I’m about the same size as Stefan (175lbs, 32″ inseam, 6′ tall). Based on Jackson’s site I fall right in the sweet spot for the Medium. I’m not a fan of the “Go as big as you can” movement, so because of that and Jackson spec I’m leaning towards the Medium w/o having laid my eyes on one yet. I’m curious if you have any thoughts on the matter?
I’m 190lbs, 6′ 4″ and have a long inseam. I have paddled the medium and found it to be sporty but I really felt I was entering the upper end of its good weight range and I was a little cramped for leg space. In the large the new Zen is pretty floaty making it very responsive and a performance orientated creek boat and river runner. So at 6ft and 175lbs I’d probably steer you toward the medium.
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Hey Chris,
I am 6’5″ and 190lbs, 35″ inseam with 12.5 shoes. I currently paddle a Zen 75, love it but its a wet ride and is not confidence inspiring on any serious creeking or drops. I am thinking about the 2015 Zen L but had some questions. Knowing you have paddled both and are near my size I have a few questions. First, the Zen 75 is a little tight when I am suited up with my GMER and portage booties, does the new Large Zen provide more leg and foot room than the old? Another question I have is regarding its creeking ability; the biggest thing I would probably ever go over is the spout and falls at Rock Island, I run rivers and creeks local in the southeast so with that in mind do you think the creeking ability of the 2015 Zen is good enough at my weight to use as a go to creeker and river runner. My other option is to keep the Zen 75 and add a large Karma to the rack but if the new Zen would do both and do both well I would be overjoyed. (the wife would be happy too). You already answered my surfing ability question in an above post so thank you.
Last question I have is how much extra room the boat has. Is there enough to pack a one person tent or at least hammock and tarp with a change of clothes, some food and a cooking stove?
We really appreciate all of your reviews.
Thanks bud,
Drew
Hi Drew,
I have substancially more room in the new Zen v old. The old Zen was about 75 gallons and the new one is reportedly in the mid 80’s. That’s a lot more room for my long legs. Like you, I struggled with the old Zen’s low deck and squashed foot space.
Regarding you’re second question about creekability. I never considered the old Zen a series creekable river runner. I just found it to be too low volume and it was not confident inspiring for me. However, the new Zen is completely different and I can see myself running all but the hardest of creeks before I need to brag my creek boat. It is really confident, stable and easy to drive. Books great and stays on the surface well. I was stoked with its creekable potential and if it would ever rain again, then I’ll get to exercise it on some harder stuff.
And there is plenty of room in the stern. As I mentioned above, the large Zen is about 10 gallons larger. Lots of volume.
Cheers!
Thanks Chris! Give us Nashville guys a shout next time you’re up this way.
Dumb question I know, but are the weights you have both given, with or without gear?
It might be the decider between a large and medium Zen for me
thanks
175 lbs – without gear. I went and checked out the Medium yesterday and it felt really good to me based on what I like in a boats fit. I will wait to buy until I’m able to check out a large and get in both on the water, but I’m leaning heavily toward a medium at this time.
Thank you Jeff and Chris
I wasn’t was not sure if boat weight ranges are with gear or without, so I checked with Jackson yesterday and as it turns weight ranges are with gear on.
I prefer a fast agile boat, so the large might be best. But getting these in the water if I can will be the real test.
Stefan, I’m 190 without paddling gear and like I mentioned, I can paddle both, but the large just feels better at my weight and height.
Thanks for that Chris.
Ps It’s all getting a bit too exciting, and agonising as our shipment does not here till March.
Dear Chris,
Thanks for the terriffic article. I am 5’5″ and 165lbs and I currently have a Zen 65. I love my zen for most river running things, but I do notice that at my weight it feels like a pretty wet ride and sometimes less forgiving then I would hope, especially in squirrely water.
I’m wondering how much of a change I would notice between the 65 and the new medium, and if it would be worth a serious consideration as an upgrade. Currently I do pure river running, as a class II/III boater. Input welcome!
Hi Trish.
The new Zen is totally worth your consideration. That wet ride you mention has been addressed with a different rocker profile and more volume. And the less than forgiving feel has gone. It’s way more predictable and confident inspiring than the former model. Bottom-line, I’d totally give it a whirl. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.