Zen v. Karma: Dueling Kayaks on the Chattooga River by Zach Fraysier | Mar 23, 2014 | Blogroll, Creeking, Featured Post, jacksonkayak.com, JK Team Posts, River Running, Team JK, Video, Whitewater | 2 comments The Chattooga River has been the classic whitewater testing ground for 40 years. Watch the Jackson Kayak Zen and Karma duel it out on the river. Video Link: Dueling on the Chattooga: Jackson Kayak Zen v Karma [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMcIgTIpkBg[/youtube] The Jackson Kayak Zen and the Jackson Kayak Karma have one very strong trait in common: speed. I am talking speed and acceleration that will zip you in and out of eddies, make quicker corrections, and soar you through the sky. It is true. The only way you will know is if you try one. Jackson Kayak Zen Chattooga River / Photo Credit: Wesley Johnson My first week in the Zen was full of mixed feelings. I had just made it to the North Fork of the Payette from the Pacific Northwest where we were hucking waterfalls and racing down the Little White Salmon. I was at the North Fork to do one thing: go fast! I had just watched Eric Jackson, Dane Jackson, and Nick Troutman blaze down the Teva Mountain Games Steep Creek Challenge race on Homestake Creek in Colorado the month before. I wanted a boat that could cut through the enormous waves on the high-water North Fork of the Payette in Idaho. I found what I was looking for in the Zen, a very fast boat. I truly attribute my 3rd place finish in the Expert (Qualifier) Race to the fast hull speed and edges of the Jackson Kayak Zen. I was so excited to find this boat. The very next day I found its only short comings on the Class 5+ Jacobs Ladder Slalom Race. I am a little heavy for the boat when it comes to running class V. I love this boat for other things though! The Zen is my favorite boat for river running up to Class -V whitewater. It is hard to explain how the edges zip you in and out of eddies without referring to a Formula 1 Race Car. If you are looking for a boat that will always respond on a river whenever you ask it to, the Zen is the boat for you. If you are looking to go higher up in the drainage to a creek that requires rock boofs or world-class whitewater, go with the Karma. My Size for the Zen Weight: 190lbs Height: 6’3″ Zen Size: 75 Fit: Tight and upper-end on weight… which makes it responsive. Jackson Kayak Karma- Large Chattooga River / Photo Credit: Ben Williams The Karma is the most responsive creekboat I have had the pleasure to paddle. It has enough volume to get you over the rocks and through the holes, but also has great carving capabilities when you lean onto secondary stability. This boat is perfect for snaking its way down the Chattooga River transitioning from edge to edge on the very stable secondary stability. Whether you are touching your elbow or your ear to the water on your turns, the Karma has the stability to give you the confidence to do so on the most difficult of rapids. My Size for the Karma Weight: 190lbs Height: 6’3″ Karma Size: Large Fit: Loose and a little on the light side for weight… which makes it great for big moves and creeks. Jackson Kayak Karma- Medium Favorite Size: If I am hand-paddling, especially with a cast on my left arm. Fit: Tight and I am a little heavy at 190lbs* *Up-side for downsizing is the gained responsiveness. The only down-side I have found is in the creek boating realm when it comes to making big moves. Jackson Kayak Karma- Small (Kate) Kate on the Chattooga River Kate: I have been paddling a small Karma for the past few months now, and I am loving it! I really think it is a great creek boat for women. As the trend in creekboat design has gone towards larger and larger boats, I have debated over whether to settle for a design that wasn’t really a creeker, sacrificing volume, or paddle a boat that was difficult to control. With the Karma, I don’t have to compromise. It is a larger boat at 72 gallons, which still allows it to resurface and get through holes, but the edges make it fast and maneuverable. I can gain and maintain speed, make precision moves, and punch through river features all while still feeling comfortable and in control. Added bonus: it is really light. Actually the first creekboat I have ever been able to “boat press” (lift over my head and onto my roof racks) all by myself! One less boat for Zach to load. Kate’s Karma Size: Weight: 130lbs Height: 5’7″ Boat Size: Small Fit: If she was Goldilocks, she’d say “Just Right!” // 2 Comments CJK on March 28, 2014 at 8:59 pm So Zach, if you had to choose one Karma for everything which would it be? I mean N Fork to Green and everything in between, overnighters, racing and all? I also weigh 190 and am 5’10”. I don’t typically like how big wide boats usually feel so dumpy and unresponsive but maybe the big Karma isn’t that way? Thanks! Reply Zach Fraysier on April 9, 2014 at 2:41 pm Two reasons why I am in the Large Karma: 1) I enjoy the stability and momentum of the larger volume boat. It took me about three kayak outings before I really started appreciating the dynamics of the Karma. To get the responsiveness you are looking for out of this kayak, you’ll notice that you need to lean more into everything you do: Eddy-turns, peel-outs, boofs, and downstream adjustments. Coming from an instructional standpoint, this is proper form… using the hull of your boat to do all of the work and minimizing the amount of strokes needed to make micro-moves. The first few times I got into this kayak, I had to get used to this concept. Now I find myself minimizing strokes and saving energy, yet carrying the same speed I experiences in the Regular Villain. Green Race: Villain 5:11 and 5:12//Karma- Large 5:13 and I felt like I held back too much at the finish. 2) I am 190lbs and think the Karma Large is perfect. I am 6’3″ with abnormally long arms though and enjoy the ability to throw my self around over this very stable boat. I trust in the Karma’s secondary stability more than any other boat I have paddled. If you are worried about the Karma Large being a little big for your frame, I would suggest playing with the seat. Raising your position with Sweet Cheeks and playing with the very versatile Jackson Kayak outfitting. I found that having the bulkhead pulled up very tight is the key to how I paddle. I can fit into the medium and I enjoy it for river-running. My friend Andy paddles a medium, he is almost exactly your size and really enjoys the Medium size Karma. It really comes down to preference and paddling style in the end. I would suggest taking both out for a spin on a familiar river with familiar moves and measuring the pros and cons of each. Reply Submit a Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
CJK on March 28, 2014 at 8:59 pm So Zach, if you had to choose one Karma for everything which would it be? I mean N Fork to Green and everything in between, overnighters, racing and all? I also weigh 190 and am 5’10”. I don’t typically like how big wide boats usually feel so dumpy and unresponsive but maybe the big Karma isn’t that way? Thanks! Reply
Zach Fraysier on April 9, 2014 at 2:41 pm Two reasons why I am in the Large Karma: 1) I enjoy the stability and momentum of the larger volume boat. It took me about three kayak outings before I really started appreciating the dynamics of the Karma. To get the responsiveness you are looking for out of this kayak, you’ll notice that you need to lean more into everything you do: Eddy-turns, peel-outs, boofs, and downstream adjustments. Coming from an instructional standpoint, this is proper form… using the hull of your boat to do all of the work and minimizing the amount of strokes needed to make micro-moves. The first few times I got into this kayak, I had to get used to this concept. Now I find myself minimizing strokes and saving energy, yet carrying the same speed I experiences in the Regular Villain. Green Race: Villain 5:11 and 5:12//Karma- Large 5:13 and I felt like I held back too much at the finish. 2) I am 190lbs and think the Karma Large is perfect. I am 6’3″ with abnormally long arms though and enjoy the ability to throw my self around over this very stable boat. I trust in the Karma’s secondary stability more than any other boat I have paddled. If you are worried about the Karma Large being a little big for your frame, I would suggest playing with the seat. Raising your position with Sweet Cheeks and playing with the very versatile Jackson Kayak outfitting. I found that having the bulkhead pulled up very tight is the key to how I paddle. I can fit into the medium and I enjoy it for river-running. My friend Andy paddles a medium, he is almost exactly your size and really enjoys the Medium size Karma. It really comes down to preference and paddling style in the end. I would suggest taking both out for a spin on a familiar river with familiar moves and measuring the pros and cons of each. Reply
