Wat about a…
canoo? Bit more skill needed but seems like a canoo wood soot yer better!
FE
Weight
It really depends on the kayak how it handles weight. My first rec kayak was a Dagger Blackwater 10.5 when I loaded it close to the weight limit it was not trim (level in the water) was a bit sluggish (but was never a speedy kayak) – still I didn’t have any problems kayaking it in mellow ponds or down lazy rivers. My LiquidLogic Remix XP10 handles great even at its weight limit on class 1-3 white water and moving water but very slow on flat water (which is more the kayak design). I have seen guys much larger and heavier than myself (also more skilled) have no problems in the XP10.
Generally as you approach the max weight it will suffer in performance but it is not going to sink just from you sitting in it. If you are taking it on a mellow pond or lazy river it will not matter much but as you increase the risk – faster water, open water, ocean, etc, it will matter more and not a great idea.
It sounds like you want to do more rec kayaking – you probably don’t want to consider anything smaller than a 12 footer but would be better off in the 14-15 foot range. The problem is the 12 footers tend to have larger cockpits, are wider, and can handle more weight. As you move up many get very narrow and you may find the fit too tight. There will be less choices for you as they get longer.
There are a number of great SOTs for big guys and they can hold a good amout of weight and gear. The Tarpon is really popular. The Ride might be another option due to the seat – it will be slower but the seat comfort might be better for you.
In the sit-ins I am a big fan of the Dagger Axis 12 (I own one and good overall but still I would like something longer for flat water).
In the 14 foot range you have the really huge cockpits of the Pungo 140 and Hurricane Expedition 140 Sport. It would be better to get a smaller cockpit if you can but both of those would be good kayaks for what you want to do – they fit everyone as long as you like having a huge cockpit.
You can also try out the Dagger Alchemy 14L, WS Tsunami 145 and Perception Carolina 14 which have smaller cockpits but you are pushing the weight limit a bit.
Just sitting in them in the store will give you a bit of an idea what size cockpits and deck heights work for you.
Same problem with Delta
32.5" cockpit will be too small for the OP, especially if his knees have limited range of motion.
Price range?
If price is no object check the Eddyline Denali.
http://www.eddyline.com/kayak-models/denali
The 14.5" depth at the front of the cockpit should allow you to get your knee out easily.
Kayak
– Last Updated: Mar-12-14 11:09 PM EST –
One of my kayaks is an Emotion AdvantEdge -12.5 for length. It has a good size cockpit and has some nice features. Would be a good starting out kayak and they are reasonable in price.
CD Solara 135
Budget
– Last Updated: Mar-13-14 11:00 AM EST –
If the budget doesn't have a ceiling then the Valley Etain 177.
A Venture Islay has worked well for linebacker builds.
I'll have to let you know of the Venture Jura once they get here. The new Skudder System on it should be interesting.
See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
Hyde Park, NY
www.the-river-connection.com
hudsonriverpaddler.org
Big Guy Boat
I was a big guy; at nearly 280 on a 5’10 frame, I qualify. I too went through the “big guy boat search” looking for a cockpit that I could get into and out of with out struggling. I bought a Wilderness Systems Tempest 180 Pro and love it. http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/expedition/sea_kayak_tempest/tempest_180pro_seakayak/
I use it on lakes, flat rivers and occasionally Monterey Bay when it’s calm, and multi-day camping. The boat has good maneuverability. It was my first boat so it works for beginners and it will work for much more advanced paddlers. IT JUST SO HAPPENS I recently lost 80 pounds and the boat is now to big. I am in the SF Bay area and would sell the boat to finance something smaller. $1700 with skirt.
If you like woodworkng
a Chesapeake Light Craft Chesapeake 18 has the capacity you are looking for.
If yo buy one, just be sure to order your kit with the optional larger cockpit because the standard cockpit is the same one they use on the smaller Chesapeake models and it would be a tight squeeze for anyone who is over 6’ and weighs over 200lbs to fit in that thing.
Take the time to rent
It really depends on how you carry your weight as to what fits and what doesn’t. Each of us will have our preferences regarding how tight we like the outfitting but the proper hull volume is what matters. You need to go rent and see for yourself as to what fits and what doesn’t. There are boats on this thread being mentioned as too small for you that I find too big myself.
I should add that I’m still looking for that “right” boat. Hopefully I’ll find it next week…
new eddyline denali
I never do this (post w/o reading thread), but I’m going to do it now because I’m in a big hurry – so forgive me if this has already been said or if it is irrelevant.
http://www.eddyline.com/kayak-models/denali
might consider Verlen Kruger boat
Kruger Seawind or Eddyline Shasta, both provide easy in and out, good speed, with tremendous flexibility and adaptation.
Swifts Kiwassa 14
Swift has a new, wider transitional kayak with XLg hatch just for your situation, the Kiwassa, 14.
Swifts Kiwassa 14
Swift has a new, wider transitional kayak with XLg hatch just for your situation, the Kiwassa, 14.
Big guy boat suggestion
I’m about 6’2" and around 250 lbs. I checked out the Current Designs Kestrel 120 X. Built for the bigger paddler in mind, it has a large roomy cockpit, comfortable seat and a wide beam at 28". The Kesrel also has 2 storage hatches for overnight trips. I love paddling in this boat because it is very stable and streight tracking. I’ve had this boat for awhile and it has taken me in my skills from a nervous novice paddler to a confident kayaker. Hope this helps.
Pungo 140
Pungo 140. Large cockpit a good paddling boat. It we the fastest of the plastic yaks I had owned. It is a little hard to turn. I used mine for flat water fishing and it was my favorite. I’m 6’ 275# and it handled me fine. I don’t th ink you could pack for a weeks trip in it but should do ok for a weekend if you watch your gear weight.
Thanks
I think I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to a Pungo 120 or 140. I haven’t had the chance to sit in the 140 yet, but have been in the 120. The new 140s have the double bulkhead which will probably be the option that makes the decision. Thanks for the input.
Friends who have the Pungo 120…
Unfortunately for these guys every time they get a checkup, I suspect their weight is not far off of yours. But they are carrying it on a shorter frame. Having seen how they fit into the Pungo 120, I suspect you want to spend time sitting in the 140.
I did this 2 years ago
I went at this from a different angle… what was available and cheap (I’m not going to sink $2k+ into something I’m trying out). In my case, I found a pair (wife and I), and I’m in a Dagger Blackwater 10.5. Now, it has a “maximum” load of 235 and I was 245~255 all last summer, not counting the overnight camping gear on the 3 multi-day trips we took.
I didn’t have one single issue. Or, if I did, I don’t know it at this point. Yes, it’s slow. Yes, I can swamp myself easily when not using a spray skirt and not being careful. But I’ve had a lot of fun on what was essentially a $350 boat (and knowing that I can easily get my money back at any time, probably plus some).
I like it, the limiting factor is simply my willingness to drive the hundreds of miles to Get to water I want to paddle. So I’ve been watching for something longer (I like speed), and hopefully more comfortable for my size 13 feet and 34" inseam. Maybe if I find something I enjoy paddling more, I’ll invest the boring transit time.
Good luck!
re big man yakay
test out the new ocean kayak big game proweler, u will love the stability and weight capibility,down size, its a heavy kayay to transport, good luck