So I have seen several posts on these forums detailing kayaks for big guys. Here’s my issue, I’m 300lbs and when I camp I bring and portage with around 100lbs of gear so I am kayaking with at minimum 400lbs of weight. I tried going the SOT way last year and portaging with an 80lb to 100lb yak with no good way to carry it really sucked. So I am hoping someone here can recommend a yak that had a max capacity above 450lbs that is a sit inside and preferably something less than 14.5 feet in length. Based on research I feel like I’m looking for a unicorn but I’m hoping someone here can help.
Thanks for the help in advance.
Edit: Sorry forgot my height, I’m 6’3"
Edit 2: I’m totally fine with a SOT yak if it was less than 65lbs just something manageable wight wise is all.
Less than 14.5 feet. Not likely but who knows maybe there is some massively wide kayak that can take 450 pounds. The Current Design Titan can take 475 BUT is 17 feet 7 inch long and its still 24 inches wide. 24 inch wide in my opinion is wide.
If you are paddling in calm protected waters near to shore, perhaps a recreational style kayak (like the Old Town heron - https://oldtowncanoe.johnsonoutdoors.com/kayaks/tandem/twin-heron) could work for you. It is a boat that switches between a single and double, but you would paddle it as a single.
Recreational class boats have some safety challenges, which is why i said close to shore and protected water. Basically, the majority of those out there can not be self-rescued in deep water, so usually require swimming to shore to get back in. And the bog open cockpit is not make to keep out waves, hence the calm water requirement.
Portaging any kayak is challenging, and a boat like this will be a beast. If your portages are ones that can use wheels, then that may open up you possibilities.
Sounds like you need to be looking at lightweight solo canoes. As with a kayak, you sit down inside the hull and paddle them with a double-ended kayak paddle.
The Nighthawk Columba solo canoe has a capacity of 400 pounds and weighs 33 pounds.
There is no need to haul 100 pounds of gear and food unless you are going to be in the wilderness for a month. You should be able to get your kit down to around half that with lightweight camping gear and dehydrated food. With 50 pounds in a backpack or Duluth pack it would not be difficult for somebody your size to solo carry a 25 or 30 pound Kevlar/carbon canoe.
Another option is inflatable kayaks. The Aquaglide Blackfoot XL weighs 33 pounds and has a 600 pound capacity.
Still you want weight carrying capability and “protability”… and you are a big person. Especially that part that sits in the kayak. I recommend a canoe.
If you ever get the chance to paddle a Current Designs Isle, do it. That will at least give you some idea of what it is going to take for you to have the real kayak experience. It might not turn out to be what you’re looking for, but at least you’ll know what you’re missing if you have to settle for a barge.
@magooch said:
If you ever get the chance to paddle a Current Designs Isle, do it. That will at least give you some idea of what it is going to take for you to have the real kayak experience. It might not turn out to be what you’re looking for, but at least you’ll know what you’re missing if you have to settle for a barge.
I paddle an Eddyline Caribbean 14 SOT. Capacity of 400 lb. and it weighs 50 lb. I seriously considered a pack canoe, but decided to stay with a SOT. I do lots of multi-day trips. Some require me to carry all my water for 4-5 night trips, so the weight can add up…plus I’m a full-figured gal which doesn’t help with the weight total. I’m very happy with my kayak.