Not sure what to do with my boat selection, boat that might be too small, sell or keep trying?

Advice
#1

Hello, I’m trying to look for advice on what to do with my sea kayak. I have been kayaking since I was a kid but got really into it, and into sea kayaks for the first time a little over a year ago. Wanting a good boat, I got a new wave sport hydra 145 I got in October. Now despite every possible adjustment with the outfitting I’m having a really hard time fitting comfortably inside. I find within an hour I am looking for a place to get out and stretch. If I go out for several hours, when I get back I am sore and my legs half asleep. It goes away after a minute but it feels awful and I feel decrepit, despite only being 36.

I have gotten used to the backband, but I’m finding my legs are so secure inside (I’m 6’3 210 lbs) I can barely move them at all. I have spent a good deal of time, hours and hours, trying to make sure my posture and paddle form are correct. I’ve tried stretching and I am trying to lose weight, but its just a painful experience right now. Something about the seat just seems off for me but I’m not sure. I have tried adding foam/towels/ect under different parts of my legs, I’ve tried moving the foot pedals up and down, and I’ve tried cushions and none of these seem to work. I have moved the hip pads up, or tried removing. These only variously move the areas of pain around.

I know you should sit inside every boat first, but this one the discomfort more so creeps up on me. It seems fine at first and then the seat starts hurting my dominant leg.

I haven’t had this issue with any of the other sea kayaks I’ve tried (an old 17’ perception, a current designs whistler, a prijon kodiak (too big for my needs) all bought and sold on marketplace). Missing those I got an old (2002) ocean scupper pro last month. I can paddle that thing for hours (I’ve done some 3-4 hour trips) with not 5% of the discomfort and jump right out no problem. I can easily stretch my legs out all over the place. It doesn’t track as well and isn’t quite as fast as the wave sport, but I’m making pretty similar times on the normal routes I do.

So should I sell the wave sport or keep trying to make it work? I got it for half off from a kayak store closing in georgia, so I think I could put it on consignment in a store here and not lose a ton of money. I’m not as concerned about the cash as I am having a boat I like, and right now I’m not sure that will be possible with this.

I see some other boats I know are larger on marketplace for like $200, I wonder…

I am thinking I want to try something like a stellar puffin/kingfisher/egret, or maybe a high volume or XL type kayak. What would you do? Thanks.

#2

If you aren’t comfortable in a boat, there isnt much you can do to expand it. Nobody can answer that but you. Even if it was free, it’ll turn you against kayaking if it isn’t comfortable.

Every person has a different criteria for picking a boat. Mine must be roomy, solid primary stability, and a high back seat. I adapt my paddling environment to the conditions the boat can handle. I enjoy speed, but won’t compromise on comfort. If your goal is speed, then you need to find the most comfortable boat that offers the best performance. If your goal is to paddle the shorelines, a stable boat serves better than a tippy boat. Backbands ate better for spray skirts, rolls, reentries and so on, but I wouldn’t paddle five miles using one. Since I have a high back seat and don’t use a spray skirt, I only paddle in areas that allow me to handle conditions. I have a 145 and a 175 that I use exclusively, depending on conditions. If you want to paddle in gnarly water or surf, your boat has to match the conditions. I want a boat that tracks straight, while many kayakers look for turning ability. I typically only turn more than 90° only once on a trip. You call the shots.

The only advice you can gleen from the forum is how a specific boat behave under certain conditions. Make sure the boat is in your weight range and that you enjoy paddling in it.

1 Like
#3

Looking at the specs online, the deck height is 14" and the cockpit is 36.5"x20.5". Those are all in the roomy, not snug, range. So, it seems like the comfort issue is probably coming from the design and shape of the seat and back rest. If it has a fairly rigid back rest, that could have a shape that just doesn’t work for you. I have had a couple of kayaks where the back rest was just torture no matter what I did. On one, I replaced the back rest with a more flexible back band, and suddenly, it’s one of the most comfortable seats I’ve been in.

#4

A picture or two of your seat and foot pegs might be helpful here. A lot of us have modified by not using a commercial seat, but custom shaped closed cell foam. White water boats and surf kayaks fit very tightly, so this is one way to increase comfort. How close is the forward bulkhead to your seat back? Lots of times those highly engineered supposedly comfortable kayak seats are literally a pain in the a __. If the seat is easy to remove, take it out and experiment a bit.

#5

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#6

are these like the redfish custom seats, are their other options? Reading some of these comments I’m thinking is the bottom id seat itself, and not the backband or kayak

#7

Well, you could always go sit in some other kayaks and see if you find them a better fit. Just go to compare fit, not buy. Even better, find a dealer that offers test paddling. Or better yet, take lessons and/or go on a tour where boats are provided. Often the instructor or leader can look at your fit and help you with adjustments. Unless you compare boats, it is hard to know if it is the size or the specific seat, or the position of things. You could take your boat for lessons and see if the instructor can give you insight into how well that boat fits you.

There are many ways to adjust your fit in a kayak. But it takes some experimentation. Seats can be replaced. Foot rest rails can be repositioned often. But if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, then purchasing a different kayak is always an option.

#8

No, I was talking about fitting and carving your own custom seat. This video isn’t real useful about dealing with design for best fit but it’s pretty good.

#9

I have to put cushioning under my thighs/knees to support them, if I don’t within an hour getting tingling in my feet. (Delta now offers an aftermarket kit that allows you to adjust the angle of the seat, accomplishing the same scenario…support the thighs/knees
.)