Jackson Kayak announced on February 12, the acquisition of Eddyline Kayaks, an industry leader in thermoformed lightweight recreational and touring kayaks. Eddyline will move production to Jackson’s headquarters in Sparta, Tennessee, and the two companies’ combined lineup will now span fishing, whitewater, touring and recreational paddling.
Eddyline joins Jackson Kayak’s expanding business
“We’ve always built kayaks for the love of the water and the adventure it brings,” said Peter Hausin, CEO of Jackson Kayak. “Eddyline shares that same passion, and together, we’re creating opportunities for paddlers of all kinds to get on the water and make memories.”
“Eddyline has always been about crafting beautiful, thermoformed lightweight kayaks that connect people to the water,” added Eddyline President Scott Holley. “We’re excited to carry that tradition forward alongside the Jackson team.” Holley will stay on as Head of Sales for Eddyline.
Eddyline’s legacy of quality and craftsmanship will continue at Jackson’s advanced manufacturing facility, ensuring every kayak delivers the same performance and durability paddlers have come to love, according to a press release announcing the deal.
“I’m very grateful for the entire Jackson team and the tremendous effort they’ve put into this, particularly CEO Peter Hausin, who along with his team worked through a lot of obstacles to get this done,” Holley said in an exclusive interview with Paddling Business. “I’m excited for the future of these three brands together.”
Holley believes the combined brands will gain efficiencies in everything from manufacturing to technology and dealer support.
“First and foremost, servicing retailers is going to be a heck of a lot easier,” Holley said. “Eddyline and Jackson both value the independent retailer community and being together means that we have more resources to do that. That includes everything from shipping boats across multiple categories and brands for more efficiency, to having shared resources with design and production.”
Hausin agrees. “This is what’s been missing for us here at Jackson,” he said in a statement to Paddling Business. “It’s a fabulous product and it’s exciting to see how all of this is coming together, especially seeing Werner and Eddyline getting back to their shared origins.” Jackson acquired Werner paddles in May 2024.
Legacy brands look toward united future
The Eddyline-Werner connection dates to 1973, when Eddyline founder Tom Derrer began building touring kayaks designed by Werner Furrer Sr., the patriarch of Werner Paddles. Derrer’s pursuit of better sea kayaks led him to experiment with advanced laminating techniques such as vacuum bagging and, starting in 1994, thermoformed plastic.
The technology provided a middle ground for touring boats, somewhere between the rotomolded plastic boats that were beginning to dominate sales volume and far more expensive composite sea kayaks. Eddyline has been a leader in thermoformed kayaks ever since. Eddyline, which moved production to Mexico in 2021, will now share factory space with Jackson and Werner in Sparta, Tennessee, the long-time seat of Jackson Kayak.
Together with Jackson Kayak, Werner Paddles and Eddyline, the commitment to growing the paddling community, protecting our waterways, and all the fun that comes with time on the water is better poised than ever before, stated the Jackson Kayak press release. This partnership isn’t just about business—it’s about creating more opportunities for everyone to embrace the joy of kayaking.
“I think really the synergies are kind of endless,” Holley said. “We really don’t compete against each other in the marketplace. It’s very different customers and very different paddlers that end up buying a Jackson versus an Eddyline.”
Feature Photo: Eddyline Kayaks
