Jacobsen "Yes" Kite Review: First Impressions of a 3-Strut Freeride & Big Air Hybrid

First Impressions: A New Name with Serious Cred

This is Jeff at MACkite, and I just got my first session on a brand new kite in the shop: the Jacobsen "Yes."

Nick Jacobsen is no stranger to kiteboarding. Most people know him for big air, creative riding, and using just about anything that's on the water or near the water to have fun. So it's pretty cool to see him step into the kite design world with his own brand. And honestly, I'm into the branding: "Yes." Simple. "Say yes" to getting out there.

Conditions & Setup

I was on the 10m in some pretty punchy conditions: around 21 to 28 knots, gusty, with 5–7 foot waves. I was on a twintip, but I did do a little bit down the line. Also worth noting, I've been winging a lot lately, so I'm a little out of practice on the kite. Even so, this felt like a solid test.

Stability & Gust Handling

Right from launch, the first thing I noticed was how well the kite handled the gusts. It absorbed the power smoothly and gave really consistent feedback. I always knew where the kite was, even walking down to the water. No surprises, no weird surging, just stable and predictable. That's a big confidence booster, especially in conditions like that.

Bar Feel & Control

The Yes has a medium bar pressure, which I think hits a really nice balance. You're not fighting it, but you've always got a clear sense of where the kite is in the window. Whether I had it low, sent it up, or looped it, it stayed predictable and easy to track, and it felt smooth and controlled every time, never twitchy or overly aggressive.

Looping & Speed

It's quick, but not overly fast. When I sent it to 12 for jumps, it didn't overshoot or do anything unexpected. I did a few downloops and downloop transitions while I was jumping, and it was an effortless loop. The timing felt natural, and my landings were actually pretty on point even though I haven't been jumping much lately. That says a lot about how intuitive the kite is.

Jumping & Finding the Sweet Spot

This is where I needed a few tacks to dial things in. The kite flies a bit forward in the window, so getting that perfect send took some adjustment. You've got to be a little more aware of your timing and positioning to hit that sweet spot for lift. But once I found it, it was there.

I had a couple jumps where everything lined up—the wave, the wind, the send—and I got that nice tension and lift that you're looking for. My impression is that this kite will really come alive when you're powered up and pushing it.

Who is the Jacobsen Yes Kite For?

This is a 3-strut kite, and it fits right into that modern do-it-all category. Twintip, surf, foil... it's designed to cover a lot of ground. I was only on a twintip for this session, but based on how it flies, I can see it working well across disciplines.

It's also approachable. I'd say beginners could get on this and feel comfortable, but there's enough performance there for more experienced riders to enjoy too.

Final Thoughts

For a first release, this is a really solid kite. It's stable, predictable, and easy to get along with, especially in challenging conditions. At the same time, it's got enough performance in it that once you dial in the timing, you can start to unlock more lift and playfulness.

I always knew where the kite was, I felt in control the whole session, and I had fun on it. So I'd give it a "Yes."

MACkite Subscription Links:

YouTube  |   Instagram  |   Spotify Oddcasts

Contact MACkite Below:

800.622.4655  |   Kiteboarder@MACkite.com  |   LIVE Chat Messenger