FS Digest

I have been wanting to get a fishing kayak for a while now and I am finally financially able to get me a entry level yak. I had read that you want to get one that is rated 125 lbs over your body weight. Is that the general rule of thumb? I'm 6'2" and weight about 270 lbs. Should I be getting a 400lb limit yak?

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by Meshiggy

FS Digest

125lb is a reasonable bit of cushion, but being able to demo the yak you’re looking at or even one that’s close to it by dar the best.

If you Don’t have a store near you that carries fishing yaks then look around online for a fishing forum or local Facebook group to see if somebody has the yak you’re looking at and will let you demo it in exchange for a six pack or whatever.

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by 5uper5kunk

FS Digest

We have an Academy and a Dicks about an hour away. I'll be swinging by those today but I'd been seeing different things on the weight suggestions. We dont really have much of a scene I guess locally so not sure who I'd reach out to nearby to demo with but I will keep an eye out. Thanks!

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by Meshiggy

FS Digest

It’s really worth poking around online and seeing if you can find a local group, or whatever. And addition to just the raw weight, the amount of room in the cockpit and how stable it feels reaching behind you for tackle and stuff really makes a huge difference.

Weight matters a lot more for butt-bucket yaks vs lawnchair ones, you can use scupper plugs to keep your butt dry on an overloaded butt-bucket yak but it’s far from ideal.

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by 5uper5kunk

FS Digest

I don’t think that’s a rule you should be worried too much about. I think the manufacturers give out their weight ratings pretty conservatively, and that there is a significant safety factor added.

I am a fairly large dude as well, 6 foot and 220. My kayak is basically a plastic bathtub toy. An old 10 foot Pelican that I bought at the big box warehouse store. Official capacity is 300 pounds. When I go out, I have a crate and rods that weigh about 20 pounds sitting in the rear well. My total loaded weight on the water is probably around 250 with all of my gear. Because the boat is so short, and all of the weight is basically located in the rear 1/3 of the boat, the ass drags a bit. My crate sits in about an inch of water, and my ass is definitely wet.

I would recommend that you consider a boat with at least a 300 pound rating, 350 would be better. One that comes to mind, which I’m actually considering as an upgrade, is the ascend 12T from Cabelas. The 10T is pretty good too, but you’re a pretty big guy and I think you do better in the 12T, and it will track better in the water as well.

I have stubbornly used my Kayak for almost a decade, but honestly I would not recommend such a cheap boat. I have definitely felt unsafe in it at times when winds picked up and waves reached 2 feet tall. Also, the raised seats on the newer boats are a total game changer for both comfort and dryness. I will be joining you shortly, good luck.

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by iron40

Iafierman

If you look around, you will find all kayaks have weight capacity ratings. Typically a sit on top kayak will have a 350 to 400 lb. rating and a tandem kayak will be rated 400 to 600 lb. I, my opinion, like wilderness kayaks. Rated to suit to most of us that love kayak fishing

Dadeaux Loc: Florida Panhandle

Depends how wet you want to get...float check the sucker before you buy one. I'm 215 & haven't had any problems with any of the ones I have. Have ride on tops & inside, one is nothing but a shell with inflatable bladders which acts like a wind-vane it's so light.

mick cieply

Purchase nothing shorter than a 12-foot-long, sit-on-top angler's kayak if you plan to fish from a kayak.
You need room and stability. I have a Perception Pescador; works well ! See AUSTIN KAYAK.

mccarthyges

I'm 66, 6 2, 260 lbs. I kayak fish in Boston Harbor and local Tidal Rivers for Strippers. I bought a used 14 ft. Pungo yak from a local Kayak Rental company, for $350.Yak is sit-in type. Its all about safety,safety,safety.
Get a yak that has stability for big guys like us. I concur with other writers here to stay away from cheap yak's @ Dick's or big box stores.

Iafierman

That's a great kayak and unbeatable price. You are absolutely right, don't go cheap, go safe. You got a high end kayak for a great price.