With a light carbon fiber hull and design that mixes stand-up paddleboards with sit-on-top kayaks, Apex Watercraft gives anglers a new type of fishing vessel.
Eric Jackson is a huge name in the kayak world. He’s a four-time world champion and an Olympian. But maybe more impressively, he founded and until recently ran one of the leading kayak brands in North America, Jackson Kayak.
But he left Jackson late last year to focus on a new project. Now, that project has hit the airwaves in the form of Apex Watercraft TYR.
And Apex Watercraft is swinging for the fences with its first product. This fishing kayak is estimated to weigh in at just 40 pounds, as Apex Watercraft constructs it from carbon fiber. The design looks extremely practical for serious anglers.
Oh, and did we mention it crashes the party with an $8,000 price tag at its launch on Kickstarter? (The MSRP will be even higher — $10,999 after the fundraising efforts are complete.) This is what we know so far.
Apex Watercraft: Redefining the Fishing Kayak?
Before we get into the rundown on the Apex Watercraft, take a few minutes to watch the brand’s buzz reel, below. It provides a lot of background, and you get a look at this beautiful boat from many angles.
Apex Watercraft: Construction
Apex Watercraft TYR Specs
- Length: 12′-10”
- Width: 36”
- Height: 18”
- Hull: Planing hull — shallow draft
- Seat: Carbon fiber swivel bucket — 7” above standing platform
- Weight: Near 40 pounds — settled upon layup/weight still pending
- Rod stagers: Built-in and reverse facing, pressure secured
- Hatch: Carbon fiber, magnet closure
- Custom cork decking typically used on superyachts is laser etched and provides traction, a wonderful look, and sound damping
- Foot-braces: Custom carbon fiber-contoured braces mounted on YakAttack lightweight GearTrac
- Fins: Custom-made ultralight carbon fiber V-shaped low-profile floating fin
- Paint scheme: Airbrushed stock design with customer selection of colors at no charge. Custom Paint schemes also available at an upcharge.
- Titanium TYR medallion inlaid into the deck
- Neodymium super magnets: Inlaid into the boat in key areas for holding tools, lures, paddle, and more