Budget kayak that I will fit in.

[Sharkicane]

Hey all, 

 

So I have been debating back and forth about my next investment in bass fishing. It was suggested a kayak would be the best investment I could make. So I am considering it. Here is my issue I am about 5'10 315lbs (but working on bringing that down  ). I've got a car, no suv or truck. I am working with about a 300 - 350 dollar budget. So I am going to be browsing craigslist, offerup, let go, etc. 

 

What size, length, brands, style (sit in or sit on top), do I need to be looking for? Can I even find something that will fit me and be stable with the budget I have? What do I need to watch out for when buying a used kayak? 

 

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

[Darren.]

31 minutes ago, Sharkicane said:

Hey all, 

 

So I have been debating back and forth about my next investment in bass fishing. It was suggested a kayak would be the best investment I could make. So I am considering it. Here is my issue I am about 5'10 315lbs (but working on bringing that down  ). I've got a car, no suv or truck. I am working with about a 300 - 350 dollar budget. So I am going to be browsing craigslist, offerup, let go, etc. 

  

 What size, length, brands, style (sit in or sit on top), do I need to be looking for? Can I even find something that will fit me and be stable with the budget I have? What do I need to watch out for when buying a used kayak? 

 

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

Length is really up to you, 10', 12', 14' or more.

 

My first yak was a 10' Pelican model for about $299 or so

at a warehouse club. It is still in use by my sons for fishing

and is a durable, lightweight yak, easy to car top.

 

It came with a paddle (heavy, bought new one once I could

afford it), and everything I needed to car top it.

 

When I had enough to buy a better yak, I went with a hybrid

in the Native Ultimate 12. Still using it today. Also light when

empty.

 

In your price range, Craigslist would be a great start, but if 

you have a Sam's Club, Costco, or BJ's nearby, check them

for deals.

 

And when buying used, look for cracks around scupper holes,

and on the bottom back where it would have been dragged.

Scratches are normal, as are some gouges, but too deep and

you could be looking at a future problem.

 

And do not skimp on a PFD. Get one that fits and plan on 

wearing it 100% of the time. I see too many people on the 

water not wearing one - while it is legal, you only have to 

have one on the boat with you - it will only work if you have

it on  .

[Sharkicane]

25 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Length is really up to you, 10', 12', 14' or more.

 

My first yak was a 10' Pelican model for about $299 or so

at a warehouse club. It is still in use by my sons for fishing

and is a durable, lightweight yak, easy to car top.

 

It came with a paddle (heavy, bought new one once I could

afford it), and everything I needed to car top it.

 

When I had enough to buy a better yak, I went with a hybrid

in the Native Ultimate 12. Still using it today. Also light when

empty.

 

In your price range, Craigslist would be a great start, but if 

you have a Sam's Club, Costco, or BJ's nearby, check them

for deals.

 

And when buying used, look for cracks around scupper holes,

and on the bottom back where it would have been dragged.

Scratches are normal, as are some gouges, but too deep and

you could be looking at a future problem.

 

And do not skimp on a PFD. Get one that fits and plan on 

wearing it 100% of the time. I see too many people on the 

water not wearing one - while it is legal, you only have to 

have one on the boat with you - it will only work if you have

it on  .

Would the lengths you listed all typically be rated high enough in terms of weight capacity? 

[NYWayfarer]

I looked at DSG real quick at kayaks in your budget range. Unfortunately the max weight on the 2 I found (both future beach, 1sit on,1sit in) is 300 lbs.

 

you might have to look for something used that has a better max weight range.

[Darren.]

29 minutes ago, Sharkicane said:

Would the lengths you listed all typically be rated high enough in terms of weight capacity? 

It all depends on the kayak, really.

 

What you will be up against is the amount of additional

weight you bring - i.e., is your gear, combined, going

to be 30 pounds, etc. So add your weight and the gear

estimated weight and you'll have a good idea of how 

much you'll be adding to the kayak.

 

This might be of some help to you:

 

http://www.yakangler.com/blogs/on-the-line/item/3067-weight-capacity-explained

 

And here's another to consider. The writer lists several

kayaks with high weight capacity. Used would be your

best bet for these:

 

http://the-crafty-designer.com/how-to-buy-a-kayak-for-a-fat-person/

Edited May 12, 2018 by Darren.

[LadiMopar]

13 hours ago, Sharkicane said:

Hey all, 

 

So I have been debating back and forth about my next investment in bass fishing. It was suggested a kayak would be the best investment I could make. So I am considering it. Here is my issue I am about 5'10 315lbs (but working on bringing that down  ). I've got a car, no suv or truck. I am working with about a 300 - 350 dollar budget. So I am going to be browsing craigslist, offerup, let go, etc. 

 

What size, length, brands, style (sit in or sit on top), do I need to be looking for? Can I even find something that will fit me and be stable with the budget I have? What do I need to watch out for when buying a used kayak? 

 

Any advice would be much appreciated. 

I just did a simple search for fishing kayak under $400 and came up with several sites that let you compare makes/models. Here are some  links to get you started.

https://kayakbest.com/best-fishing-kayaks-under-400/

https://waterkayaks.com/best-fishing-kayak-under-400/

http://kayakerstribe.com/fishing-kayaks-under-400/

 

Best of luck in your search, and let us know how you make out.

LM

[Hawkeye21]

Check out the Sun Dolphin Boss 12 or it's rebranded name, Ozark Trail Pro Angler 12.  Walmart has had them on sale for as low as $379.  It's the best looking new kayak I've seen in that price range.

[Dtrombly]

$350 "should" be able to get you a nice used Ascend kayak (bass pro brand) 

[J Francho]

16 minutes ago, Dtrombly said:

$350 "should" be able to get you a nice used Ascend kayak (bass pro brand) 

Most models max out at 300 or 325 lbs. capacity.  Their least expensive kayak is $470, so yeah, used for sure.  He's definitely going to travel light for this to work.  Might be better to look at the used market in a little higher end boats.  I sold my Prowler Big Game for $400, max weight cap. was like 650 lbs.

 

[kjfishman]

A used Old Town Loon 138 is a good choice. Huge cockpit, seat and pedals move, indestructible polylink 3 hull and very stable.

[Happy Girl]

Hi - Pre memorial day sales are here.  I just found Sun Dolphin Journey 12 (capacity 395#) is on sale for $350 at Tractor Supply.  Pelican challenger 130t (tandem or single  - 500#) for $399 at Academy. Field and Stream Blade 120 (390#) at Dick's $349. Pelican Mustang 120 (375#) $399 at Dick's. 

[MN Fisher]

Check the manufacturer of the F&S Blade - if it's KL Industries...it's a re-labled Sun Dolphin. Sun Dolphin is KL's 'home brand'. A lot of what F&S sells is actually Sun Dolphin products.

[Harold Scoggins]

On ‎5‎/‎14‎/‎2018 at 2:20 PM, J Francho said:

Might be better to look at the used market in a little higher end boats.  I sold my Prowler Big Game for $400, max weight cap. was like 650 lbs.

@Sharkicane, take J Francho's advice on this one. There is a correlation between weight capacity and stability. Don't push the limits with a lower end kayak.

[kjfishman]

Find one yet?

[mrstangblb]

I still have my first kayak - a Field & Stream Eagle Talon sit on top, and I see it’s on sale now for $399.99 at Dick’s. If you can sign up for their email list you may still get 10% off, and I have always enjoyed mine. I’m just too tall for kayaks to be comfortable so I’m selling mine.

[haggard]

On 5/18/2019 at 1:14 AM, Happy Girl said:

Hi - Pre memorial day sales are here.  I just found Sun Dolphin Journey 12 (capacity 395#) is on sale for $350 at Tractor Supply.  Pelican challenger 130t (tandem or single  - 500#) for $399 at Academy. Field and Stream Blade 120 (390#) at Dick's $349. Pelican Mustang 120 (375#) $399 at Dick's. 

I got a Sun Dolphin Journey 12 about a year+ ago for $185, new on sale. Bought it as a "last resort" yak that I can throw in the truck and carry anywhere to the water (43 lb or so). It's a sit-on-top style with two rod holders.

 

I love it for its intended purpose but I would not recommended it for a 315 lb paddler. I'm just under 200 lb and find it quite tippy. Your 300-350 budget should be able to get you a sturdier, more stable yak. I would keep stability and sit-on-top style the two biggest priorities. Unfortunately they often work against each other but keep searching.

 

EDIT Just realized mine is a Journey 10' not 12' for what it's worth

[Allen Der]

This thread is over a year old and op hasn't posted since July

[Carol Knowles]

On 5/12/2018 at 9:06 AM, Darren. said:

Length is really up to you, 10', 12', 14' or more.

 

My first yak was a 10' Pelican model for about $299 or so

at a warehouse club. It is still in use by my sons for fishing

and is a durable, lightweight yak, easy to car top.

 

It came with a paddle (heavy, bought new one once I could

afford it), and everything I needed to car top it.

 

When I had enough to buy a better yak, I went with a hybrid

in the Native Ultimate 12. Still using it today. Also light when

empty.

 

In your price range, Craigslist would be a great start, but if 

you have a Sam's Club, Costco, or BJ's nearby, check them

for deals.

 

And when buying used, look for cracks around scupper holes,

and on the bottom back where it would have been dragged.

Scratches are normal, as are some gouges, but too deep and

you could be looking at a future problem.

 

And do not skimp on a PFD. Get one that fits and plan on 

wearing it 100% of the time. I see too many people on the 

water not wearing one - while it is legal, you only have to 

have one on the boat with you - it will only work if you have

it on  .

That is so helpful! I never thought about checking places like Sams!