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the new jackson clutch: everything we know so far
Just when you thought picking out some fresh plastic in 2024 was hard enough, Jackson Kayaks show up like, 'Hold my paddle.' The USA-based kayak manufacturer has just unleashed its latest river weapon, the Clutch, a hybrid kayak that promises to redefine the way you paddle.
Developed with heavy input from pro paddler and Jackson athlete Dane Jackson, the Clutch finds the ideal balance between a creek boat and a half-slice. It offers versatility through its stable and agile design, handling both big whitewater and smaller local runs with ease.
Admittedly, this boat is so dang fresh that even we haven't taken it out on the water yet--but from all we've seen and heard so far, we're so excited to put it to the test. We’re currently accepting pre-orders, with delivery expected in early 2024. Stay tuned for our full review coming soon—but for now, take a deep dive into everything we know about this boat so far...
Key Features of the jackson clutch
- Full Planing Hull: Ensures smooth, responsive paddling and a stable platform.
- Super High-Rockered Design: High rocker in both the bow and stern provides excellent maneuverability and buoyancy.
- Generous Legroom: Comfortable for all-day paddling, even on longer river runs.
- Forgiving Half-Slice Stern: Combines the capabilities of a full creek boat with a playful, lower-volume stern for added fun.
- Lighter and Faster: Speed and agility make it ideal for navigating rapids or catching waves.
- Jackson Kayak's Bees Knees Thigh Hook System (Patented): Provides increased contact and control for maximum performance.
- Jackson Kayak's Uni-Shock Bulkhead System (Patented): The highest shock-absorbing system available, designed for safety and comfort.
- Jackson Kayak's Sure-Lock Backband System (Patented): Lightest and most user-friendly backband system for easy adjustments.
- Jackson Kayak's Warranty Program: Backed by Jackson’s trusted warranty for long-lasting quality.
- Available in one size: M|L
A High-Performance Half-Slice
The half-slice stern of the Clutch opens up a world of possibilities. Unlike other half-slice kayaks that might sacrifice some downstream performance for playability, the Clutch offers both in spades, according to Dane. He explains:
“This boat not only just gives confidence for those that just want to get downstream, but also offers the full half-slice stern for those that want to get vertical and do more with the boat.”
So, whether you're looking to just paddle down the river or throw some vertical moves, the Clutch has you covered.
What Makes the Clutch Stand Out?
According to Dane Jackson, the Clutch is everything a paddler could want in a kayak and more:
"It is absolutely a boat that I have been wanting for years, and it's even better than I could have imagined."
The Clutch draws inspiration from the popular Gnarvana, a full creek boat that offers a high-riding confidence-inspiring feel in difficult waters. But the Clutch adds a twist: it features a half-slice stern, giving paddlers the best of both worlds. This design makes the Clutch ideal for both downstream river running and more playful moves like stern squirts and splats.
Performance Features of the Clutch
1. Based on the Medium Gnarvana
The Clutch takes its core design from the Gnarvana, which means it retains that high-floating, stable platform that makes creek boating a joy. But with a slightly tweaked stern, the Clutch becomes faster and more versatile. As Dane notes:
“It’s still that high floating boat, it’s everything that we’ve come to love about the confidence of the full creek boat, but we lowered the stern rocker by an inch and a half. What that does is increase the speed significantly.”
This added speed makes navigating the river smoother and more fun, especially when trying to skip over drops or catch waves.
2. A Perfect Blend of Speed and Control
The lower stern rocker on the Clutch also eliminates the risk of the boat back-ending unintentionally. It helps you maintain speed across features, boosting your confidence and control. Dane explains the advantage:
"By not having as high a stern rocker, that allows the boat to not want to go past vertical and often allows you to carry your speed over more features."
This is a crucial aspect for paddlers who want the freedom to push the boat’s capabilities without compromising control.
3. Smooth, Forgiving Stern Design
Jackson Kayaks didn’t just focus on speed—they also perfected the stern design to give paddlers more freedom in their moves. The Clutch features a smooth, forgiving stern shape that makes it easy to pop out of the water when you want. Dane describes it best:
“This stern goes through the water with ease and like butter. It’s unlike anything you’ve paddled.”
This shape gives paddlers more confidence when going vertical, letting them keep their stern squirts going while still allowing for smoother transitions when paddling downstream.
A Different Way to Experience the River
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Clutch is how it opens up new ways to engage with the river. Whether you're throwing kickflips, splats, or just maneuvering around features, the Clutch promises to offer a unique paddling style.
"It gives you a way to run the river that you will not have experienced until you’ve paddled it," says Dane. "There’s not a single part of it that sacrifices one for the other."
With the Clutch, paddlers don’t have to choose between confidence in big water and playfulness in river features—you get both in a single boat. Even if you’re not looking to get vertical, the half-slice stern adds extra maneuverability that makes the river feel different in the best possible way.
4. A Forgiving Shape
One of the standout features of the Clutch’s stern is the wing shape near the hips, which allows the boat to glide smoothly through the water. This forgiving design makes it easier to execute moves like boofs and kickflips while minimizing resistance when you want to keep your bow up.
“Not having the volume right behind the cockpit (like some similar models) creates a different style of paddling because there’s no resistance when lifting the bow for kickflips or maneuvering the boat.”
This feature makes the Clutch stand out from similar boats on the market, with a more bulbous stern which may come with sacrificed maneuverability when throwing tricks.
how to order
You can shop the Jackson Clutch online here. If you can't find what you're looking for, please give our Calgary store a call on (403) 288-9283 or email us at info@aqoutdoors.com to make sure you snag one before our next shipment.
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