I want to tie down my 25QT cooler on the back deck for some camping but I’m not sure how much weight you think the kayak can hold? I expect the cooler to be about ~ 40-50 lbs loaded up. Can a thermoform kayak handle this weight or would my back deck give out? For reference it is a Delta kayak 15.5GT.
I understand this might be a bit of a stupid question but I’m not sure what to do other than ask the community before trying myself. And yes I know soft coolers can be an option but that is already what I had and I want to upgrade my setup with a nice insulated hard cooler that way I can better seperate my food with a mesh basket and it’s just more stout you know, take a beating. And I intend to use it in other aspects of my life so it’s there so why not figure out a way to use it if possible.
I don’t know the answer, but considering that part of the boat needs to support your body weight during self-rescues, I doubt 40-50 lbs. will be an issue as long as you have a cushioning material under the cooler to prevent pressure points.
Oh yes fair point, forgot some put their whole bodyweight over the rear deck to rescue, I myself just twist myself into the cockpit directly but yeah… that defiintely re-assures me!
And affirmative, my intention was to use one of those moving blankets underneath and I will also be adding some rubber stick on feet to the cooler as it’s just plastic underneath.
I would be more concerned about how twitchy it might make the kayak by adding that much weight high up on the back deck. Usually I would want extra weight as low as possible.
I had tested it a bit with my 52qt version 1/4 full, of this similar cooler and it wasn’t that bad. My kayak is very forgiving I think like in terms of secondary stability. But I can’t really say, this is my first ever kayak for 4 years now! Haven’t compared it to anything else.
I agree with others that I would not want to have something that tall and that heavy on my rear deck in all but the most benign conditions. In addition it would act as a sail in the wind and make rescues impossible. In the event of a capsize it might even make getting the kayak upright again in deep water very difficult.
I wouldn’t be too concerned with structural issues. Many people sit on their rear deck when getting out of a kayak.
I carried a 30 qt. cooler with probably 40 - 50 lbs. in a Tarpon 120 on a camping trip a few years ago. Even with the 28 inch width of the Tarpon and the cooler being lower by being in the tankwell it made the boat somewhat top-heavy. It wasn’t unmanageable, but in waves and going through river shoals it took some effort to keep the boat upright.
Hmm okay I’ll definitely practise before hand but we have a friend who brought their 50 QT ninja drychill cooler and I was surprised they managed to do that… admit you guys a worrying me a bit but on a typical day I’m sure I’ll be fine.
We don’t go in crazy waters to reach the camp site as it’s mostly nearby.
I certainly wouldn’t plan on paddling very far with that type of arrangement, it could turn out to be a nightmare. Calm waters would be a must as well.
