Best Kayak For Us Big Boys ...

[Felix77]

I would love to get into fishing from a Kayak but I am over the weight limit for most of the smaller Kayak's.  Suggestions for fishing kayaks for the "Fluffy" guys.  

[HeavyDluxe]

As a portly guy myself who just got into kayak fishing, there are tons of models to try...

 

WS Commander (hybrid) and Ride (SOT)

Jackson Cuda (SOT) and Big Tuna (tandem-able SOT) 

Old Town Predator (SOT)

Native Ultimate series (hybrid)

 

And others, I'm sure.

 

I wound up buying a WS Ride 115 and I love the thing.  I detailed my evaluations elsewhere, and would link the post if you think it would be helpful.  

 

Best advice:  Find a good retailer, and get as much butt-time in the seat of the candidate boats as possible.  You'll be surprised how 'different' the boats can feel and how quickly you'll find things you love/hate.

[J Francho]

My #1 choice would be a PA 12 or 14, but the following will work fine.  Fishing kayaks are designed with big guys in mind.

 

Ride 115x or 135, Prowler Big game, Big Tuna, Malibu Stealth, Commander 12 or 14, and Moken 12.5 or 14 are a few reputable models that come to mind.

[Felix77]

I would love the PA 12 but MAN ... what a pricetag!

[Darren.]

I would love the PA 12 but MAN ... what a pricetag!

 

Indeed! I'd love a PA, but for the price of entry.

 

Native is releasing new Ultimate models with new design and even greater stability to an already phenomenally stable kayak.

 

If you want to stand and fish, Native Ultimates, Slayers are models to consider. The Wilderness Systems models mentioned are solid as well. But do try to either get out in each, or at the very least, see if they'll let you sit in the models to compare them.

 

I also looked at Moken yaks, but settled on the U12 even over the WS Commander, as I much preferred the standing ability in, and seat in the U12. That's why you want to try 'em for yourself. What fits my taste may not fit yours.

[Felix77]

Indeed! I'd love a PA, but for the price of entry.

 

Native is releasing new Ultimate models with new design and even greater stability to an already phenomenally stable kayak.

 

If you want to stand and fish, Native Ultimates, Slayers are models to consider. The Wilderness Systems models mentioned are solid as well. But do try to either get out in each, or at the very least, see if they'll let you sit in the models to compare them.

 

I also looked at Moken yaks, but settled on the U12 even over the WS Commander, as I much preferred the standing ability in, and seat in the U12. That's why you want to try 'em for yourself. What fits my taste may not fit yours.

 

Thanks ... Native Ultimates is one I have never heard of before.  I have all winter to look so I will try and get out to these places and sit in them at the store to weed out some of them.  

 

If I can find demo days that would be ideal!

[J Francho]

You need to get seat time to really get a feel for what you like best.  Otherwise, you'll just learn to settle with what you know.

[martintheduck]

NuCanoe frontier 12'. Some ridiculous weight rating of 500-600 lbs? Super solid platform too... it is a bit pricey though

[jsc4324]

X2 on the nucanoe. I love mine. Can easily stand up in without the slightest hint of tipping. Can even stand and paddle around. Tons of rigging options and space for gear.

[Boomer_bassin]

Did y'all go with the 10 or 12 model Frontier?

[jsc4324]

Did y'all go with the 10 or 12 model Frontier?

I went with the 12 ft. 10 footer wasn't out when I bought mine. I dont think I would sacrifice the 2 ft for the few lbs difference.

[Glenn]

Hobie Pro Angler 14 has 600lbs capacity.

 

Game

 

Over

[Boomer_bassin]

Had been looking at the old town predator but the nucanoe looks promising

[J Francho]

Pay attention to the hull weights.  Not all are measured the same, and remember - you have to get the thing on top of your ride after a long day of fishing.

[Khong]

I was thinking about getting a Freedom Hawk Kayak 14 footer.    I think it will balance pretty well for anyone under 300lb.   

 

I was also thinking of putting an I-Pilot in the front and just remote around.  Including that, I would put in the new Micro Power Pro anchor in the back.  

 

Anchoring the kayak and using the "N button or North Button" on the i-pilot to pivot in one direction for balance fishing.  

[J Francho]

I used to paddle a FH 14 and 12 Ultra lite.  Great, stable boats for fishing.  If you are going to paddle distance, I'd look elsewhere.  Not the fastest or best tracking boats.  I like to fish off the back, between the kick out sponsons, with my back leaning on the casting rail.

 

I really liked this boat for small waters:

[Master Bait'r]

The Wilderness Systems Ride 135, not as fast as the Tridents, but with its weight capacity of 550 lbs and superior stability, it's one tough kayak. I love the new knotright camo.

 

 

Wow I think I just found the perfect yak for me.  

[lmbfisherman]

Wow I think I just found the perfect yak for me.  

I own this yak and it is awesome.  Although it is a tad heavy, but I learned how to load it by myself with little trouble on a minivan.  I own the sand color though, love this kayak.  Should tide me over for a few years until the finances let me get a bass boat.

[Master Bait'r]

I own this yak and it is awesome.  Although it is a tad heavy, but I learned how to load it by myself with little trouble on a minivan.  I own the sand color though, love this kayak.  Should tide me over for a few years until the finances let me get a bass boat.

 

 

I have a cheapo FB trophy 126 which gets the job done, but that literally looks perfect for the fishing I do.  Makes me wish I had another $600 laying around 

[Scorcher214]

I used to be about 270lbs fishing from a 10'6 future beach trophy 126. I floated lol. I sold it this summer and plan on getting this. Thing is a TANK

 

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS128T-SitOnTop-Angler-Kayak-Desert-Storm/product/12102505321115/

[Felix77]

I used to be about 270lbs fishing from a 10'6 future beach trophy 126. I floated lol. I sold it this summer and plan on getting this. Thing is a TANK

 

http://www.basspro.com/Ascend-FS128T-SitOnTop-Angler-Kayak-Desert-Storm/product/12102505321115/

 

I was at BassPro just yesterday looking at this Yak.  It does look awesome.  Seat leaves a lot to be desired though.

 

and for the record it is a TANK.

[hoosierbass07]

  I need to get a kayak for my nephew who weighs 320 pounds.  What is a nice but low cost fishing kayak for that kind of weight?  

[Hanover_Yakker]

In all honesty, a person's size is not the true limiting factor in which kayak to choose, so your nephew at 320lbs is only one factor in the decision.  The true factor is his case is which kayak will he be able to enter and exit from while still being able to paddle/pedal and fish comfortably in.  All too often, people focus on how they are going to use the kayak and completely miss the boat (pardon the pun) on sizing the kayak for them and the gear that they carry.  Your gear alone (depending on whether you are a gear junkie or a minimalist) can add anywhere from 15-50lbs to your kayak.

 

In your case, I would venture to say that your choices are going to be limited to one of the following, based simply on a hull's maximum load capacity:

 

Paddle-based:

Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler - 550-600Lbs.

Native Slayer 14.5 - 450lbs.

Native Ultimate 14.5 solo - 450lbs.

Wilderness Systems Ride 135 - 550lbs.

Wilderness Systems Commander 140 - 475lbs.

Jackson Big Tuna - 500lbs.

Jackson Big Rig - 500-600lbs. (planned 12/2013 release)

NuCanoe Frontier 12 - 650lbs.

 

Pedal-based: (pricier but worth consideration)

Hobie Pro Angler 12 - 500lbs.

Hobie Pro Angler 14 - 600 lbs.

Native Slayer Propel 13 - should be the same as other Slayers at 450lbs.

 

Ones that you should probably not consider based upon manufacturer's specs only (no personal bias or experience):

 

Old Town Predator MX - max load is only 375-400lbs

Old Town Predator 13 - max load is only 400-425lbs.

KC Kayaks - no specs available on their site (call them to confirm the load capacity)

Native Mariner 12.5 - max load is only 400lbs

FS128T Ascend - max load is only 350lbs

Diablo Paddlesports Adios - max load 400lbs

 

Now this is not to say that other brands shouldn't be considered, I am just giving you the max load capacities as a means to help you narrow down your realistic options while still affording your nephew room to move about, fish comfortably and feel safe on the water.

[Felix77]

Thanks for that summary Hanover_Yakker!  This is very helpful being a buff 325 myself.  

[J Francho]

If you get seat time, consider the gear you'll be bringing.  Some boats behave dramatically different the lower they sit in the water.  For instance, big boys don't have as many issues with tracking in the Prowler Big Game as I do, at a buck-fitty wet, lol.  For me, a steerable skeg was required, whereas it isn't for bigger guys.  That's a case a case where weight is better - there are cases where it's worse.  The Freedomhawk boats come to mind here.