Jackson Mega Rocker
Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com
Category: General
Forum Name: Whitewater Forum
Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only
URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6315
Printed Date: 02 May 2025 at 1:52pm
Topic: Jackson Mega Rocker
Posted By: Kiwi
Subject: Jackson Mega Rocker
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2008 at 3:37pm
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I'm wondering how it would do in a hole if you went in and ended up sideways, with 93 gal. of vol. it seems like it would have the grace of a oil tanker, I'm 15 weigh 200 and am 6' 5" (GIGANTOR!!!) any info would be helpful.
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Replies:
Posted By: montana mark
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2008 at 5:49pm
hello kiwi,
I am 6'2'' and 225. I have paddled every big boat out there except the new Everest. Since the Jackson has no edges and it sits up high in the hole, it is hard to get an edge down into the deeper green water like you might be able to do with an h-3. But, the Jackson is so much easier to keep straight than any other boat I have owned, including the Hurcules, because it does not get pushed around like the little guys. I would consider the Everest, but if you get up into the 230 pound range, and I bet you will, the Jackson is the only true creek boat that I have found.
MM
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montana mark
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2008 at 6:42pm
I paddle a Rocker because I weigh 190, but the stability of this boat vs something with edges (to me) means I will wind up stuck in a hole less often because of increased volume (past creekers were less) or more likely, the easier it is to keep the girl straight, get a good boof, and if I do land funny I got no edge to catch. And before I type this last line know that I could be biased, but the secondary stability of the Rocker is second to none I've paddled. I have, however, not paddled the Mega.
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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2008 at 8:58pm
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The habitat might be good, but it's really what I can get a good deal on that'll fit me and still preform well.
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Posted By: oukr9965
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2008 at 7:40am
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Water Wacko, I see that you're on Team Jackson. I've got an order in for a Mega Rocker, but was starting to think about the Super Hero. Have you had a chance to paddle the new Hero series yet? I've seen all the pictures and read all the material on the Hero, but was looking for an opinion of comparison between the two. Thanks in advance.
Lanson
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2008 at 7:57am
If anyone wants to buy a Rocker I have a basically brand new one at home that I am looking to sell, discount.
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Posted By: justin
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2008 at 8:40am
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Kiwi,
I think that the Habitat would be a great boat for you.
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2008 at 4:44pm
I paddled the Habitat a little and it seemed like a good boat.
Lanson, my Hero should be here in a couple days. I think the demo arrived at SRK yesterday. Call them and try it out. I think rails and big water go together like the Rocker and boofing.
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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2008 at 6:05pm
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oh, by the way, my names Keenan.
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 6:10am
I believe SRK has a demo Mega also, Keenan. Hop into something on the Sky... nice to meet you.
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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman
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Posted By: explwhore
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 11:32am
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I got the mega. It is as stable as a couch, but I feel it is tough for a guy of my weight to carry the damn thing. I am only 180 lbs and 6-4, not the body structure that this boat was built for. I like how it boof and love how it stays on top of the water for the mank. Petoned really hard this weekend on the little white and it did not hurt one bit. I would try it out, if I had some more weight on me it would be a pretty sweet choice.
And no, I have never swam out of a hole in this thing. Barely taken any rides, hit your stroke and try to never find out if it gets surfed well. The thing is a tank, yet I am wanting to try the new Super Hero before I sell my Mega but let me know if you want to try mine out.
Nick
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 3:10pm
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I'll demo before I buy, but what should I be looking for on flatwater in a creekboat? rolling ability? how well it tracks, secondary stability?
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Posted By: James
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 4:36pm
I would not buy a creeker based on how it felt in flatwater, but if you just have to take it down to the lake instead of a river here are a few ideas.
Hull Style - Try going to Gene Coulon or another park where there is an elevated walkway or upper deck. NWOC on Lake Union has a 2nd story deck you can launch off, Gene Coulon has a elevated walkway that is the same height and SRK has the dock which is a bit lower but still elevated. Launch off a few times and try to land flat or on adjusted angles. Take another boat to compare and see how they land softer or harder along with re-surfacing angles and speed. Its not that great but it would beat rolling.
Tracking - Take 2 or 3 even strokes on each side and then see how straight it tracks, try adjusting the direction using only your thighs. The amount of edge will really let you use your thighs more and paddle less for turning and control.
Still this stuff is not going to even come close to what a little river or creek could provide
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Posted By: explwhore
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 5:07pm
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With the mega you might not feel what it excels at with these brief tests mentioned above. The thing just won't sink on you in many situations, boof strokes are nice but if you somehow miss a beat, the boat does not dive. It has so much freaking volume that it rockets to the top. You would not know that feel from never paddling it on a creek.
I don't think you can tell to much on flatwater about how it performs in a river. When this thing gets sort of squirted, you actually rocket move away from the hole. But I am a light person in a huge water melon seed.
It also feels washy into and out of eddies but you gain a lot of no edge to catch on rocks you hip check, the 2ndary stability is pretty amazing. But this thing is sort of long, I got broached this weekend and wish I had a smaller boat for the first time after like a year of using this monster.
It floats high, and I worry about getting through the occasional thing you want to melt. But with correct strokes, I don't feel I am much worse off than folks melting stuff in burns or whatever.
My 2 cents
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 7:26pm
I agree with explwhore about resurfacing. I tried to loop it off the SRK dock last summer. The dock is 5 or 6 feet off the water. I was just a little too shallow and the thing ROCKETED to the surface like there were some dudes under it pushing it back up. It was a really crazy feeling. I had never felt a boat resurface that fast before. Keenan, what I meant was, take it to the Sky and hop in a hole you know you can work out of and see what you see. Boof it, carve it, etc, too.
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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2008 at 8:41pm
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okay, sounds good, thanks for all your help.
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Posted By: explwhore
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2008 at 7:43pm
My super hero has shipped. Want to buy a Mega Kiwi? You can even demo it pro bono.
NH
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2008 at 7:46pm
Posted By: Tobin
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2008 at 8:05pm
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Just curious? Why so big? Are you a wookie or something?
I have just noticed a trend to people getting into bigger and bigger boats, I am curious as to why?
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Sure?
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2008 at 8:28pm
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well, I just want a boat that'll work, I havent really done much creekboating and want a boat. I'm looking for a boat that fits me, other boats I'm looking at are the Habitat and the Burn, If there's something out there that you know of that will work.
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Posted By: Tobin
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2008 at 9:00pm
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Keenan,
At 15, 6'5" and 200 you are a big guy. A large Burn is 80 gallons and 8'3" long. The Habitat 80 is 8'4" long and obviously 80 gallons. For you I dont think its a volume issue, more a length, you should fit in most creekers.
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Sure?
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Posted By: explwhore
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 8:07am
I would have to say at 6-4, 180 lbs the Mega has been good. The only thing I notice is its weight to and from the putin. I have a bit of an older model so it has a little heavier outfitting I believe, but not much.
New Tobin, there is no way this dude will fit in a Mystic. Maybe if he has like a 32 " inseam or something, but at a 36" inseam I don't even get close.
Kiwi, what is your experience with river runner boats or playboats? If you really think you will be just running bigger style rivers, get a creeker with edges. If you want to boat down bouncy or steep waterfall style runs then get something similar to a Grande Jefe, Mega Rocker, Rocker, Nomad 8.5, or even that large Habitat. They all are great boats with their individual advantages and disadvantages.
If you are 15 I imagine you will be filling out and then you will want more volume to float you and your safety gear. On the river I carry a break down, pin kit, first aid kit, 2 throw bags, stow floats, and some bitchathane just in case someone or me breaks a boat. This is like 15-20 pounds of gear and some say it is extreme. But if the shit goes down I am ready for it, as long as I don't swim and lose my boat. Sometimes I carry a video camera or still digital.
That is a lot of weight. As to Newtobin's thoughts with the larger volume, the design has changed. The rockers are huge in comparison. The regular rocker would have the same volume as the Habitat 80, and boats similarly.
The first thing I noticed when I paddled the mega is just how easy it was to paddle, it was stable, punched holes well, and stayed on the surface. That is what you want from a creek boat. In bigger rivers though the lack of edges make ferrying across pushy current a bit more of a chore.
There is also a few times where I feel the boat has a mind of its own in bigger water, requiring like 2 or 3 huge sweep strokes to get her on the line you want. I attribute this to the large amount of rocker the boat has. This gives it an awesome characteristic when boating in very vertical situations, it does not peton hardly ever. It bounces over rocks well and stays on the surface even if you don't boof the thing.
The bulkhead that pushes forward under extreme stress rocks. I have been in the wrong place and placed the wrong stroke, BAM!! That thing saves you from broken ankles big time.
Try, Try, Try different boats and see what you like. The issue is if you are a beginner and might swim on a class 4+ river or 5- no one wants their demo or loaner boat broken.
Consider all the choices, I think there are a lot of options for you. But if you are like me, there are one a few boats I mentioned above that you can fit in comfortably. If you are growing still and will add pounds, think on something in the bigger realm.
Hope this helps.
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 3:44pm
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My dad just got the email for a permit on the grand! so I'll be taking it down that too, I ran the grand 3 years ago, (before I started Kayaking) and just watching the kayakers in our group, the person who got the most surfs was in a 10 ft. creeker. It had the speed to get on the waves. I don't think I'm going to get much bigger, maybe 20 lbs.
Are you saying the mega is more of a creeker? cause If it'll work ok for river running thats fine.
thanks
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Posted By: explwhore
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 3:52pm
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If I were going on the grand again, which I did go down last March 4th on a 20 day, I would bring a longer boat with edges. There are very few that are super long that have edges, the green waves are incredible.
i took a jackson 4 fun and if I had to do it over, would have been in a longer boat. Maybe like a Wave Sport Z, Dagger RPM, Wave Sport Score.
A creek boat is not really the boat for the Grand, the Mega Rocker is a creek boat. If I was self support and did not have a raft to take, then maybe it would take a larger boat with this much volume.
What you would want would be a perception super sport, prijon hurricane, or something long with semi-edges.
There was great waves to play in a modern style, but like 30 of them over 20 days of boating. I would go with a long ass boat or squirt boat that can catch the large number of glass waves that are out there.
Thanks, hope I can help.
Nick
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 3:57pm
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oh, yeah, I have a piroette and redline (whatever) that I could take, but I'm also looking at most comfortable, and at doing some creeking on the side streams (tapeats, marble) although they probebly wont be running in July. It's going to be 100+ degrees every day, but whatever.
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Posted By: Tobin
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 4:04pm
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Keenan,
I have no idea if you would fit comfortably in a Mystic. Only way to know is to try one out. It is a creek boat like the Mega, but is smaller, and has tracking edges, but isnt edgy. It doesn't traack like a full edged planning hull, but it does ok for a creeker.
Congrats on scoring the permit. Make sure you get some good rides and good footie.
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Sure?
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Posted By: explwhore
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 4:20pm
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Unless you get a lot of rain, Tapeats probably will not go that late in the season. Havasu Creek is also one I scoped out on side hikes. My advice is bring the most comfy and kick ass glass green front surfing boat you have. Unless you want to just practice flat wheels the whole time.
Comfort is key because no matter what someone tells you, this one is about the scenery and side hikes. Sure there are fun big rapids, but the play is not the key. The huge amounts of flat water and just lounging makes it one the the best around, float, bloat, eat, camp, sleep and have a blast runs ever!
I am already jealous. Filled the permit yet?
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Posted By: water wacko
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 4:21pm
Yeah, have fun on the Grand!. Explwhore brings up good points with performance. The Mega would get you down the Grand, but you wouldn't be surfing really and you would definitely be fighting the water. If you want ONE boat for the Grand and creekin' look at the Super Hero. If you have the ability I would suggest a 4 Fun or Super Fun for the Grand, a Super Star even, and a Mega for creekin'. Good luck either way! I can't comment on the Mystic, but the Deisel would also do the job for an all in one boat, especially as a beginner creeker.
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"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Howard Thurman
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Posted By: Kiwi
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 4:45pm
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sorry, It's a small (8 person) permit and we owe others who have invited us on trips, but it was worth asking!!
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Posted By: explwhore
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 4:54pm
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Do not take a Super Star, Do not take a 4 Fun! Water Wacko is truely that or smoking crack.
Take a long boat that surfs well, like the Diesel.
I do not think the Super hero new will be the one either. You want edge and length, comfort.
Screw the small boats. I am telling you man, the whole way down the grand I was pulling my knees up and crying in my 4 fun every hour or so. you spend so much time just paddling flat water and when you paddle your ass off and can't catch the glass it is a real let down. There was not enough smaller or catchable waves and a few really kick ass holes. If the flows are double my 7,000-14,000 spring release I hear it is a different river. maybe someone who had done it at the higher flows has a different experience.
Nick
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Posted By: James
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2008 at 8:43pm
The important thing is that you go with a cool group of friends that will let you ride the rubber while your relaxing in the sun, then you could pack a few different types of boats and just chill on the way down!
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