I am very interested in this thread. I've been looking at the Ascend kayaks too, though I was looking at the larger 12' model for about $600.
I have floated a few times in borrowed Jacksons, and I like them okay, though they could stand to be a little wider - their primary stability isn't as good as their secondary stability.
I like American-made products and supporting local business when I can, but I'm not sure the Jackson is worth the $1,200 + sticker price. The Ascend might be "not quite" the same boat as a Jackson, Hobie, etc, but it's also five or six hundred dollars cheaper, which is serious money.
I just wish I had a way of taking an Ascend down a couple rapids before I bought it to see how it stacks up.
If anyone has firsthand experience paddling one, I would be very interested to hear about it.
Sent from my SPH-M580 using Tapatalk 2
Last edited by bd-; 05-21-2013 at 03:49 PM.
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