I notice from your handle - you’re near the Iron Range of MN? I’m thinking that would also put you near many of the outfitters serving the BWCA. If so, that’s an excellent source of used boats that are suited to pretty much what you’re considering… and lots of experienced paddlers to help with advice. (From six feet away.) The liveries that rent canoes and kayaks usually replace a portion of their rentals every year and there are deals to be had if you don’t mind a pre-scratched boat.
I’m a canoe guy, no expert with kayaks, but I can say I’ve known a few large folks who have gotten by very nicely in the conditions you suggest with Pungo 140s. Pretty much a decked canoe that you sit on the floor of… and a large cockpit that would accommodate a dog. You’d probably want to add a flotation bag in the front unless Wilderness Systems has come out with a variant with a front bulkhead. This is no sales pitch, just an observation that may give you at least a place to start looking.
Good luck and welcome to Pcom!
I am FROM the iron range, but I actually live in southern MN now. Still close enough to check out everything you mentioned though lol! Few people ever catch onto this handle, it’s cool that you did!
Just a few comments in addition to the advice you’ve already gotten.
I agree that you should look at used boats because you’ll get more for your money plus there are zillions of used kayaks out there (actually just 227 according to Twin Cities craigslist).
With a load of 300+ pounds a small tandem kayak paddle solo might fit your needs well. Something in the 14-16 range. I see two of these in your area and in your price range.
A fishing kayak also makes some sense since they are stable with high capacity. But something with a large and smooth interior like the boat shown will work better for a dog since they can move around comfortably. Fishing kayaks often lack any flat area for a dog plus they don’t seem to allow a dog to move around.
You can use dry bags to store your gear like canoe people do and forget about hatches.
I’d be curious to know how you ladies plan to transport your boats to and from the water. Kayaks that fit your needs and price range tend to be on the heavy side. Loading into a pick-up truck bed or small trailer would be much easier than “tossing” a heavy kayak onto the roof of an SUV. Your ease and comfort of loading and unloading can have a big impact on how often you use a boat.
Based on my research I don’t necessarily believe that I require a two person boat— plus from what I’ve read, having efficient control of a two person boat would be much harder. I’ll stick to a kayak.
And between the three of us we own two full sized trucks, two cars, and a Jeep— I think we got hauling down. We’re not prissy city girls by any means— heck one of the gals works a hog farm, one has caught an alligator with her bare hands, and I’ve hauled my fair share of deer from the woods, headed to hunt bear for my first time this next season. We can definitely make do.
However I will definitely check out the used sections on Craigslist and Facebook.
Finding a kayak that will fit your dog is going to be difficult. So is finding one with a big enough cockpit for you to be comfortable in and easily exit if you capsize. Camping equipment is not so easy to fit in a kayak. What you really need is a canoe.
You and your 45lb Liberty would do quite well in that open cockpit tandem that Tom L posted. It looks like the Old Town Loon 160T that I’ve owned since around 2003. I’m mostly out paddling narrow sea kayaks. I use the Loon tandem when I bring my dog along, mostly camping trips. The seats slide to adjust trim. And the front seat, while a dog can step over it, provides a priceless barrier that keeps the dog off of your lap, and out of the way of your paddle.
The questions to answer would be fit, and it’s a heavy kayak. Y’all sound like a tough bunch. Just make sure you’re tough enough.
Outside of a canoe, this is really the style of kayak that will provide the most enjoyment for both yourself and Liberty.
Think about your dog’s name. Wouldn’t Liberty demand its own space?
An open cockpit tandem with sliding seats really will make a huge difference in your paddling experience with Liberty. Y’all are at a good weight where that kayak will feel nicely settled in the wind, and have enough length to allow, not fast, but a reasonable moderate glide through the water even with camping gear. I’d say something like this or a canoe.
Some of those Old Town kayaks are intended for either solo or tandem. Here’s a smaller one near you. My boat weight comment is not gender-specific; I make same comment to all newbies.
I suggest that you read the reviews on this site. I just glanced at the Old Town 160T review and people seem to enjoy it both solo and solo with a dog but they all seem to mention the weight.
+1 on a smaller tandem kayak. They are very popular for solo paddling with dogs, extra gear, or both. Thanks to those who mentioned it, don’t know how I missed it!
I also wouldn’t be too concerned about handling them. Most of my interactions with people challenged by handling a tandem boat tends to be an issue of learning the appropriate skills. My Old Town rep’s teenage son routinely fishes solo (unloaded, and he probably weighs 130lbs) out of the current OT tandem, and I bet most of us (if not all) canoeists here have spent time soloing tandem canoes that are usually even bigger. Paddling skills are indispensable, they can really open up what any boat can do.
The big concerns still come to physical space for everything + dog. Weight is one thing, but it still has to fit somewhere. I would love to keep plugging canoes, but I also don’t want to dissuade from getting what you feel most comfortable in right now (you can use a kayak type paddle in a solo canoe, just have to size them longer). I think there’s something to be said for just getting started and growing from there. I was a tandem only canoeist for years, now you have to bribe me out of my solos!
Per camping, I did have a thought last night, if you intend on portaging during trips that would heavily put you into the canoe category. Every kayak I’ve come across in the BWCA looked like a hassle. Of course, you could always rent a canoe.
Whatever you end up with, I hope we get some trip reports when you get camping out of it!
Buying used is usually good if you have patience. My first kayak was $250. A 14 ft sit in rec boat. 24" beam and easy to paddle. It gets to be like many hobbies. I’m now up to 8 or 9 boats.
Hi Mzungu! Id love to know what you think about the Swell Scupper 14 vs. the Eddyline Caribbean 14 SOTs? A friend lent me her Necky Dolphin SOT and I love it, but it’s not made anymore so trying to find similar - narrow, fast, maneuverable. Need pretty good weight capacity. So many confusing reviews! The lightweight of the Eddyline is pretty attractive, but a reviewer thought it was too flat and slow.
I’m not pushing any particular boat and as a canoe person I have zero kayak knowledge. Just wanted to make sure you see the reviews section of this site. The reviews for the 160T look very positive. A pick-up truck seems like an ideal transport vehicle for these boats.
Your budget is very constraining. Leaving you to only rotomolded incredibly heavy and slow kayaks. I would suggest two boats. The Eddyline 14 is easily the fastest sit-on-top to paddle. It would haul you, a lot of camping gear, and only weigh 50 lbs outfitted for fishing. It would not be my choice for bringing a dog. The Eddyline Shasta tandem which is kind of a canoe-kayak hybrid with a large open cockpit, adjustable sliding seats. It can be set up as a tandem when you are with the dog or as a solo when you are not. It is a favorite of inland expedition paddlers because of its weight capacity and easy loading. It too is very fast and easy to paddle compared to rotomolded boats. I would be very careful buying a used rotomolded boat as they are rarely stored in cool shady places that preserve their original shape. It is very hard to detect a warped boat that only goes right until you paddle it. Good luck in your search. Once your hooked on kayaking you will find the right boat or boats.
Maybe take a look at the Vibe Yellowfin 130 Tandem kayak. For solo paddling, it allows for the seat to be placed in the center of the boat. Plenty of gear area in front and behind. Just not much dry storage.
Hi! Are you talking about the Caribbean 14? I’m also looking at that boat and it looks beautiful…but I’ve read a couple reviews where people thought it was NOT a fast boat??? I want something fast and maneuverable but I also need a weight capacity of probably 300+ lbs. Also like the Swell Scupper 14 but it weighs 68 lbs.!
Yes , The eddyline caribbean 14 compared to rotomolded kayaks is very fast. The man that designed this boat (Tom Derrer) has been building kayaks since the 70’s. When buying a recreational class boat I would always buy from a company that builds and designs high performance sea kayaks. The DNA works it way down from the top performing kayaks. The hard shiny surface of Eddyline’s thermoformed and excellently designed hulls makes an amazing difference in speed over pebbly rotomolded kayaks designed by plastic engineers who have never paddled a kayak. I would suggest trying one before buying something else. You be the judge. But really with the dog the Eddyline Shasta tandem would be better. It is unfortunately discontinued but maybe available used. But mine is definitely not for sale
Ohhh, thank you all for your replies— there’s so much new information to take into account! I think I really need to do even more research and thinking before deciding anything. In the mean time I’ll be exploring these boards and learning all that I can! Thank you!!
A sit on top i think would be your best bet. Take a look at the pelican catch 120, yes its a fishing kayak but has an open cockpit & lots of storage options . Check out there website to check weight capacity but my buddy has one & he is 6ft3inch & 250lbs and he has no issues at all. Good luck
I ended up going with a Tarpon 120 it was the 2019 model and their last one so I got it at Scheels for $599 (originally $999) my friend purchased a Perception Wave 12 she is 5’9” /165 lb.
Both have been awesome for us so far, got them and registered them Saturday morning and already been out twice.
I figured I’m working on losing weight so even if I didn’t get something that could support my current weight, my dog, and my gear— at least my reward for losing the weight and getting in better shape will be having fun finally being able to camp on my kayak.
