Jackson Hero

Pierre LaPaddelle · Post by **Pierre LaPaddelle** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 7:14 am

Hi folks

I'm wondering if anyone has paddled a Jackson Hero conversion.

Would be grateful for your comments. How's she handle?

Please 'n Thanks!
Rick

oopsiflipped · Post by **oopsiflipped** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:04 am

i've never seen one as a c1, probably because it it a slow boat. maybe slower than the rocker, but at least it has some edges, which the rocker does not. there are also 2 or 3 versions of the hero. definitely wouldn't be my first choice.

Smurfwarrior · Post by **Smurfwarrior** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 2:57 pm

I've paddled the Hero and Lil'Hero as kayaks and they really really sucked, I thought. The section right in front of the cockpit is very large and uncomfortable as you're always hitting it with your hands while paddling. It was super slow and sluggish. I paddled Westwater at 30,000 CFS in the Hero and would have paid serious money for a faster boat that day. I've paddles a rocker extensively as a kayak and think it wouldn't work well as a c boat. Just too rounded and mushy methinks. Plus the plastic is fragile. Hope that helps.

nfried · Post by **nfried** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 6:46 pm

Hey Rick,
Jackson redesigned the Hero in 2008 I believe. It now has more of a planing hull rather than a displacement hull and is a much better boat. I've only paddled it as a kayak and it is great for a larger volume river runner. The planing hull allows it to surf some, but it's not a play boat. No idea how it would paddle as a C1.

Looking for another project to kill time this winter?

Neil

Smurfwarrior · Post by **Smurfwarrior** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:48 pm

The Heros I paddled last year were the new design. I read somewhere (prob here) that Jackson does not recommend removing the kayak seat to make it into a C1 as the seat is needed for strength.

Pierre LaPaddelle · Post by **Pierre LaPaddelle** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:58 pm

Thank you Oops, Smurf, and Neil for the response.

I asked about the Hero because one came up, close to home, on the MEC Gear Swap.

Your comments convinced me to pass on this one. Appreciate your guidance!

Rick

Paddler · Post by **Paddler** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 6:18 pm

Jackson is releasing a new Hero for 2011, perhaps it will be a more suitable design. It's not supposed to be much longer, so I Imagine that it won't be any faster. Perhaps it will make a good colorado low volume creeker if your the type that wants a boat for every condition.