First Look at the FD3D

What do you look for in a pedal driven kayak?  Speed?  Tracking?  Weight?  Possibly.  If you’re like me, if you dive in to the pedal market, you’re not just looking for typical paddle-driven kayak properties, but you are also focusing on the drive itself.  Pedal driven kayaks are a mainstay in the niche of kayak fishing.  To stand out and distinguish itself, a company must innovate.  Jackson Kayak has done just that with it’s flex drive and now FD-3D system. This is my first look at the FD3D!

In 2020, Jackson Kayak introduced the new Flex Drive-3D.  This system boasts fundamental changes which build upon and enhance the user experience on the water.  The original Flex Drive truly improved the way I was able to fish both rivers and lakes.  Maintaining my spot on a lake, or pedaling up-river, the Flex Drive system had me covered.

Now, the Flex Drive has been given a makeover.  We’re not just talking a new paint job.  The internals of both the upper and lower unit have been re-tooled, marking a noticeable difference in both effort, efficiency and speed on the water.  From first-hand experience, this is not just theory, and certainly is not just cheap talk.  I proudly pedal a Big Fig HDFD and with my original Flex Drive unit, covered hundreds of miles.

[bigcommerce_product id=”2026,1857″ order=”ASC” orderby=”date”]

A few months ago, I was fortunate to get a hold of the new Flex Drive 3D system.  It effortlessly plugged right into the pod of my Big Rig HDFD and I was on the lake, running it through it’s paces.  Immediately, I could tell there was a noticeable difference.  My original Flex Drive would cruise 3.2mph comfortably.  I could run that speed for an extended amount of time, with no slowing down.  However, immediately, I noticed I could pedal the new FD-3D 3.8mph effortlessly, for as long as I needed to pedal.  Additionally, bursts up to 4.8 were now sustainable for limited amounts of time.

For an angler who values both the time and energy it takes to be on the water, I truly appreciated this improvement in top end specs.  When paired with the retractable dagger board, immediate reverse, and a hull that favors tracking, stability and overall fishability, it’s hard for me to imagine a boat better suited for an enjoyable day on the water.

What is more impressive is the simple change it takes to swap over to the new Flex Drive E by Jackson Kayak.  While on the water, I simply put the FDE in my front hatch, and when I was ready to swap over, I took out the K2 battery and upper FDE unit.   I stowed my FD-3D into the hatch, and I was on the move in a matter of 45 seconds.

When coupled with the new FD3D, the Flex Drive E makes the entire Flex Drive system innovative and revolutionary by Jackson Kayak.  I truly believe there is not a better system out there.  To make it even better, the FD-3D and the FD-E are compatible to all Flex Drive models that Jackson Kayak offers.  Offering a competitive price point and feature rich performance, Jackson Kayak has created a true winner.  If you have any questions, check out jacksonadventures.com.