Excellent info after several years of experience. I have started my 4th year fishing from my Coosa FD and agree that this is by far the best drive system. Mine has seen many types of waters from small, medium and large rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and streams. It has done well in every situation. My biggest issue is the weight makes it a challenge to load alone. This is truly a world class kayak and if there were a better one for me I would have it.
I totally agree on the weight! I am 72 and glad I work out daily with weights or I would not be able to lift this onto my truck. I do wish I could affort to upgrade the drive to their new version - it looks much more efficient.
It was mere coincidence that upon finding your channel that I as well owned a Jackson Coosa FD. Many of your hacks were directly related to my Jackson. Thank you for your channel
I purchased my Coosa FD shortly after you and have the same thoughts on performance. Although I have a slightly different setup,....very pleased. Tight lines...!
I bought the Coosa FD used last year and love the stability of it. Like you said, the steering and tracking leaves a bit to be desired, but with the hack, it seems to be better. I haven't had the chance to take mine back out yet. The cold weather puts a slow down for my fishing trips. Thanks for your insight and all the advice. Maybe I'll see you out fishing so.e this summer. I am planning so.e trips to your area.
Good review 👍 do they make a battery-powered motor that mounts on the flex drive That would be cool to see you use if they do .I was thinking Jackson made that?
They do make one. I am not a fan of it since it disables the pedals. You would have to carry the drive with the pedals in the back if you ran out of battery power.
Great Stuff again bud, I have the same exact model and I would love to see how you can repaint that drive unit. I mainly only fish in salt water so you can imagine what it did to the paint on the flex drive. I would also love to see how you put keel guards on your kayak. I've put a gorilla tape on mine but I don't think it's sufficient enough. Cheers!
lol! My wife repainted my drive unit for me - it will be in an upcoming video. We just used spray paint. I did report to Jackson about the paint issue. I know the quality manager there - hopefully, they improve the coating. I have not put keel guards on. I have mixed feelings about those. The Gator Guards are good, but you cannot continuously add to them as they wear down - I think they only allow one replacement on top? I am lucky in that I do not launch off concrete ramps, so I do not have the erosion issue.
How is the Jackson pedal effort and cruising/top speed compared to a Hobie similar model... I am still using paddles because I my fishing flats that’s a mile long in a foot or less of water using early topwater lures for redfish and large seatrout?
@@KayakhacksFishing That would be a great video to compare it to a Pro Angler or the smaller fishing kayak. I think that your kayak has a thicker, well-made hull. My Revolution's hull seems thin, but I bought it because it was fast, and I don't always fish.
If I were looking for a pedal kayak, it would be that one. I primarily fish creeks, lakes and larger ponds, so a paddle kayak is ideal. I appreciate the honest review on the kayak. Maybe Jackson kayaks will fix their seats. Their seats are what stopped me from buying a Jackson kayak. They really should put more effort to seat design.
I bought a new 2021 coosa fd, after 1 trip out on fresh water my only issues are that you can't pedal with the balls of your feet your heels will hit the deck, not sure how this is on other brands, besides hobie, and the other is that the rudder is taller then the keel and seems to take on some stresses while on the ground or in the water.
Would you be willing to share with me your steering hack? I'm 55 with severe arthritis and though I love my boat as you said, the steering is problematic. I'd love to try to recreate your steering handle if you'd be willing to send pics. Thanks either way. Tony
I have two hacks. The one with the lever is complicated - ua-cam.com/video/BSdPg45Xb-c/v-deo.html Try this simple one first - ua-cam.com/video/Vwoqn0qdqCY/v-deo.html It may give you the leverage you need.
This is frustrating on my older model. I think the new versions have the fittings. Here is how I had to do it - ua-cam.com/video/rqb18oYEHSI/v-deo.html
Excellent info after several years of experience. I have started my 4th year fishing from my Coosa FD and agree that this is by far the best drive system. Mine has seen many types of waters from small, medium and large rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and streams. It has done well in every situation. My biggest issue is the weight makes it a challenge to load alone. This is truly a world class kayak and if there were a better one for me I would have it.
I totally agree on the weight! I am 72 and glad I work out daily with weights or I would not be able to lift this onto my truck. I do wish I could affort to upgrade the drive to their new version - it looks much more efficient.
Good review! Jackson Cuda HD owner here btw.
It was mere coincidence that upon finding your channel that I as well owned a Jackson Coosa FD. Many of your hacks were directly related to my Jackson. Thank you for your channel
I really appreciate that! I'll work even harder!
I purchased my Coosa FD shortly after you and have the same thoughts on performance. Although I have a slightly different setup,....very pleased. Tight lines...!
Awesome! Thanks for the quick review. Would love to hear more about the steering hack and how hard it was for you to install.
Here is the video. It was a pretty complex hack - ua-cam.com/video/BSdPg45Xb-c/v-deo.html
I bought the Coosa FD used last year and love the stability of it. Like you said, the steering and tracking leaves a bit to be desired, but with the hack, it seems to be better. I haven't had the chance to take mine back out yet. The cold weather puts a slow down for my fishing trips. Thanks for your insight and all the advice. Maybe I'll see you out fishing so.e this summer. I am planning so.e trips to your area.
Nice rudder upgrade and steering hack. The Coosa seems to be a decent brand.
I have a jackson bigrig and river fishing i am very happy i can clean the grass out as well as the auto retract. Very happy w mine.
So glad you are happy with your boat. Curious to see what you have left to tinker with, repair or upgrade.
lol! It seems like there is always something. A couple variations for paddle clips coming up!
I use the railblaza. It's offset so you can still use the rest of the track.
I have a bonofide 12/7. Love it. Heavy but super stable. Considered a Jackson but no close dealers.
I wonder why they are not carried by more stores...
Time goes by too fast. Your videos have been so helpful!
Glad you like them!
That retractable drive is nice. Answered a big question I had about this type of drive
It is the key reason I went with JK!
Good review 👍 do they make a battery-powered motor that mounts on the flex drive That would be cool to see you use if they do .I was thinking Jackson made that?
They do make one. I am not a fan of it since it disables the pedals. You would have to carry the drive with the pedals in the back if you ran out of battery power.
Great Stuff again bud, I have the same exact model and I would love to see how you can repaint that drive unit. I mainly only fish in salt water so you can imagine what it did to the paint on the flex drive. I would also love to see how you put keel guards on your kayak. I've put a gorilla tape on mine but I don't think it's sufficient enough. Cheers!
lol! My wife repainted my drive unit for me - it will be in an upcoming video. We just used spray paint. I did report to Jackson about the paint issue. I know the quality manager there - hopefully, they improve the coating. I have not put keel guards on. I have mixed feelings about those. The Gator Guards are good, but you cannot continuously add to them as they wear down - I think they only allow one replacement on top? I am lucky in that I do not launch off concrete ramps, so I do not have the erosion issue.
Nice overview !! Good feedback
Glad it was helpful!
DO you have a video on the steering hack? I have a Jackson Byte HD and I can't stand those little steering knobs!
Here is the simple one - ua-cam.com/video/Vwoqn0qdqCY/v-deo.html
Here is the more complex one - ua-cam.com/video/BSdPg45Xb-c/v-deo.html
You have that kayak rigged out , everything a fisherman could want or need . Set the hook brother
How is the Jackson pedal effort and cruising/top speed compared to a Hobie similar model... I am still using paddles because I my fishing flats that’s a mile long in a foot or less of water using early topwater lures for redfish and large seatrout?
I can't say... it has been a long time since I tried the Hobie.
@@KayakhacksFishing That would be a great video to compare it to a Pro Angler or the smaller fishing kayak. I think that your kayak has a thicker, well-made hull. My Revolution's hull seems thin, but I bought it because it was fast, and I don't always fish.
If I were looking for a pedal kayak, it would be that one. I primarily fish creeks, lakes and larger ponds, so a paddle kayak is ideal. I appreciate the honest review on the kayak. Maybe Jackson kayaks will fix their seats. Their seats are what stopped me from buying a Jackson kayak. They really should put more effort to seat design.
I agree!
I have a jackson coosa, and i love it.
Do you have a video on how to do your hack for the rudder control for the Coosa?
Yes, I have several different steering videos in this playlist - ua-cam.com/play/PL8egn41J7Go9Ee6CXo4q1-C6Lpps0TI8z.html
I have the bite fd and i love it
I bought a new 2021 coosa fd, after 1 trip out on fresh water my only issues are that you can't pedal with the balls of your feet your heels will hit the deck, not sure how this is on other brands, besides hobie, and the other is that the rudder is taller then the keel and seems to take on some stresses while on the ground or in the water.
I noticed the rudder issue. I have not tried using the balls of my feet - guess I will not now!
Wow, it doesn't seem like it's already been 3 years (seasons) since you bought the Coosa.
It all goes by so fast!
@@KayakhacksFishing For sure :)
Would you be willing to share with me your steering hack? I'm 55 with severe arthritis and though I love my boat as you said, the steering is problematic. I'd love to try to recreate your steering handle if you'd be willing to send pics. Thanks either way. Tony
I have two hacks. The one with the lever is complicated - ua-cam.com/video/BSdPg45Xb-c/v-deo.html
Try this simple one first - ua-cam.com/video/Vwoqn0qdqCY/v-deo.html
It may give you the leverage you need.
Don't be shy, tell us what you really think. Another good video.
😊 thank you
Do u have a video on the rudder handle build
I have several steering hacks - you can pick the one you are interested in from the playlist - ua-cam.com/play/PL8egn41J7Go9Ee6CXo4q1-C6Lpps0TI8z.html
How did you grease the peddle drive I can not find the grease fittings with the right threads and length
This is frustrating on my older model. I think the new versions have the fittings. Here is how I had to do it - ua-cam.com/video/rqb18oYEHSI/v-deo.html
Thank you!
Welcome!