Video · Kayak Reviews
Jackson Kayak Knarr FD With MotorGuide Xi3 and Flex Drive
I test a Jackson Knarr FD rigged with a bow mounted MotorGuide Xi3, the new Flex Drive and a Torqeedo mount at ICAST.
What’s in this video
My dad and I went to ICAST. In my last video you saw the Jackson Knarr FD, their big water pedal kayak. This one is rigged differently. There’s a mount on the back for a Torqeedo, though the motor wasn’t on it, and up on the bow is a MotorGuide Xi3. I’m seeing those on everything now. It has anchor lock GPS built in, so you don’t have to drop an anchor all the time. It still has the new Flex Drive too.
The Xi3 remote has speed up and down, cruise control, a mode that looks like it follows a route along the coastline, and anchor lock. I hit anchor lock and it held me in place, so I could cast and fish even in current. What I noticed is how smooth it is. There’s no jolt, it gradually brings you up to speed, and that’s safer if you’re standing or sitting because you’re less likely to fly overboard.
My recap from bow to stern: I love the flat area on the bow for a trolling motor, the built-in rod tubes, the hatch design and the tri tracks along the gunwales. The pedal drive is way better than the first generation, and it’s one I’d be happy to own. Behind the seat there’s a live well or bait well area where you can add a pump, and it has a Power-Pole mount. They hit it out of the park.
Key moments
- 0:00 Introduction to the setup
- 0:28 Kayak features and rigging
- 1:36 Operating the motor system
- 3:02 On-water performance test
- 5:14 Final thoughts and review
Quick takeaways
- The Knarr FD has a flat bow area made for a bow mount trolling motor like the MotorGuide Xi3.
- The Xi3 anchor lock held position in current, so you can fish without dropping an anchor.
- The Xi3 ramps up speed gradually, which is safer when you're standing.
- There's a live well area behind the seat for a pump, plus a Power-Pole mount at the stern.
Gear from this video
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