Another Paddlesport Merger: Jackson Kayak Acquires Eddyline Kayaks

You read that headline right. Thermoformed touring kayak icon Eddlyline Kayaks has been acquired by Jackson Kayak (JK), best known for its rotomolded whitewater and fishing kayaks. Production and sales of Eddyline Kayaks will move from Seattle to the JK factory in Sparta, Tenn.

“Jackson Kayak has a deep root in creating and providing jobs here in Sparta, TN. With many companies outsourcing and struggling with the changing tariffs, shipping costs, and production challenges our JK facility provides a safe haven for Tennessee-made products,” said Emily Jackson, Marketing Director at Jackson Kayak.

Eddyline Kayaks

There are two things that you likely didn’t know — as I didn’t — that help link Eddyline and JK.

First, Eddyline started in whitewater kayak production, just as JK did. Tom and Lisa Derrer built whitewater boats in a tiny shop in Boulder, Colo., starting back in 1971. But the pair moved themselves and their business to Seattle in 1974, and soon switched to touring kayak production.

“Eddyline has always been about crafting beautiful, thermoformed lightweight kayaks that connect people to the water. We’re excited to carry that tradition forward alongside the Jackson team,” said Scott Holley, Eddyline Kayak President. Holley will make the transition with the company, and be the Head of Sales for Eddyline under Jackson Kayak ownership.

It all started in 1975 when the Derrers met Werner Furrer, who designed their first sea kayak. The Eddyline WT-500 (Werner Touring, 500 cm long). This is the same Werner who went on to found Werner Paddles, another Washington-based company that was recently acquired by JK.

The first in-house designed boat came in 1978, called the Orca, a high-volume, flat-bottomed touring boat that helped establish Eddyline’s now iconic West Coast boat design style.

Eddyline at Jackson Kayak

“Eddyline, like Werner, is dedicated to the consumer journey and quality of its product. The very first kayak ever produced by Eddyline was actually designed by Werner Furrer SR. So, to have these companies that share a history and dedication to paddlesports is inspiring.

“We don’t want that dedication or enthusiasm to be lost by being bought by an investment group or conglomerate that doesn’t share our deep-rooted passion for paddlesports. Our team has been working on this acquisition for some time and our goal is to ensure each brand stays true to their path,” said Emily Jackson.

Jackson Kayak makes a wide range of kayaks, paddles, coolers, and a variety of other roto-molded products at its massive factory in Sparta, Tenn. Bringing Eddyline thermoformed kayaks under that same roof and sales/marketing infrastructure will likely help both companies grow quickly.

Eddyline will instantly have more specialty retailers interested in its products. JK will instantly have new molding technology and machines and a full spread of kayaks to sell. Specifically, Eddyline fills in the touring and sea kayak categories where JK was light and/or not in yet.

One sad note: long-time independent reps for Eddyline Kayaks, like Ethan Ebersold of Happy Paddlin — many times referred to as “Ethan from Eddyline” — will not be making the transition with the company, as JK has its own sales, distribution, and demo teams.

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