High-volume Kayak for big guy?

[desmobob]

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool canoe guy, but I've been considering a kayak.

I like the Pungo, but I'm concerned about capacity. I'm 6'2" and 245 lbs. The Pungo's rated capacity is 325 lbs.

I know how poorly some canoes handle when loaded up near the limit. How about this kayak?

Are there other suggestions for a large-volume 'yak that would be used mostly for fishing?

Thanks for any advice,
Bob Scott

[Bob Parsons]

check out the post "cobra for sale" farther down the thread list.


It has a link to the cobra's homepage and you can read the specs.

Also being a big guy I like this one 600# rating

[Wes]

Link to site for Big Guys (http://my.dmci.net/~wesboyd/bigguy.htm)


This site is size specific, might be useful for other gear as well. I don't think a Pungo would have trouble with yr size. Cobra FnD or Pungo not especially fast or efficient boats but they do the job very well. The FnD isn't known as "The Aircraft Carrier" for nothing, though.

[ruge13]

I hav ea friend that is about your size...probably a litle bigger. He uses a Necky Santa Cruz and loves it. HE says he fits ok and its a stable dry ride. Just about the on;ly thing he does is fish from it...

[FLYRODER]

Theres 2 sit on top kayaks made for big guys.

1. Cobra Fish n Dive

2. Ocean Kayak Drifter (500lbs capacity)

I tried both of these kayaks out and I ended up buying the Drifter. Both are very stable and both are made for big guys. The Cobra F n Dive is a very dry ride the Drifter can be wet but if you buy scupper plugs($8)the ride is then dry. The Drifter is a lot faster than the F n Dive plus you'll be able to paddle a lot further on the Drifter. In calm water your able to stand up on both of these kayaks. The Drifter seems to be a more popular fishing kayak down south and on the west coast. I'm 6'4" and weigh 240lbs and the Drifter has more than enough room for me.
You should try both of these kayaks out before you make a decision.

[desmobob]

Thanks for the good leads. The website is very cool, Wes. I'll be checking out the Santa Cruz, Fish-'n-Dive, and the Drifter.

A big canoe and kayak shop up here in the Adirondacks just had a huge demo weekend. They had 1000 canoes and kayaks to demo. As usual, I had to work all weekend and couldn't go!

I'm off on two week's vacation after tomorrow. First, I'll spend seven glorious days at Chatham! When I get back home I'm going to check out the shop and see if they'll let me demo a few boats. I'm looking for a new whitewater canoe AND a kayak.

Hmm.... what can I sell to raise some capital? Anybody need a Kawasaki KLR 650 dual-sport? A Colt Combat Elite w/compensator and red dot sight? I better have a yard sale. I need some new boats!:D

Thanks again,
Good fishing,
Bob Scott
Whitehall,NY

[Bob Parsons]

While your down the cape check out Goose Hummock. I not sure what brands they carry but I believe they allow demos.

What are you looking for in a whitewater canoe?

Since I'm over 250 I use a mohawk 15' Pedestal seat. It's been down the Kennebac, Dead, West, Dryway, and a host of others.

[RJ]

Bob Scott,

I have a two seat Palmico (used one season) for sale.

She comes with a mini skirt (stripping), paddle 240mm (I'm a big guy too!) and a factory installed rudder plus a air bag.

I live in Athens, NY (30 miles south of Albany) and hunt ducks just north of Whitehall when there's enough water to get back into some of those little bays along the tracks.

Let me know if your interested! The two seater, set up for a single paddler is very stable and very efficient. Lots of room for duck decoys and fishing gear, etc.

RJ duckboat@capital.net:cool:

[paulyfish]

Hi-
In the past few months I have tested out a dozen or so Yaks for my new kayak eco tour/fishing division. The drifter model was the best one to fish out of by far. Personally speaking, I am not big, 5'10 175 so I like the Scrambler XT better my my body type.
But for you, the drifter model would be awesome.
As far as fishing goes especially in the salt, I find the versatility of a sit on top much better than a sit inside. We swing our legs over the side and strip away >000)'>
Paul

[Wes]

Bob,
See if you can demo a WS Tarpon. It's big enough and performs well. Rated for 325 lbs, friends that are 250 paddle them.

[desmobob]

Originally posted by Bob Parsons

What are you looking for in a whitewater canoe?

Since I'm over 250 I use a mohawk 15' Pedestal seat. It's been down the Kennebac, Dead, West, Dryway, and a host of others.

Bob,

I've been looking at the Mad River Outrage X. I like the Mohawks, too. I still haven't decided if I want an all-out playboat, or just something with a little more volume (and higher gunwales) than my Mad River Eclipse. I'm also looking at the We-no-nah Rendezvous.

Thanks for the input!

I've got to go load the Blazer. I'm leaving here and heading to Chatham at 11 p.m. I should get there just in time for some good fishing, but I hear the weather won't be very nice.... I don't think we'll be fishing the outside of South Beach tomorrow!

Good fishing,
Bob

[desmobob]

Originally posted by RJ
Bob Scott,

I have a two seat Palmico (used one season) for sale.

She comes with a mini skirt (stripping), paddle 240mm (I'm a big guy too!) and a factory installed rudder plus a air bag.

I live in Athens, NY (30 miles south of Albany) and hunt ducks just north of Whitehall when there's enough water to get back into some of those little bays along the tracks.


RJ duckboat@capital.net:cool:

Hi RJ,

There wasn't much water this year, was there?! I couldn't get my canoe back into some of the bigger bays around South Bay!

Thanks for the offer on the kayak. I'm still looking around, seeing what's out there. I don't suspect I'll be buying anything for quite a while. I will do some research on that model.

I've got to run... I just got home from work and I'm starting a two-week vacation. Off to Chatham tonight!

Talk to you later,
Bob

[desmobob]

Originally posted by paulyfish
Hi-
In the past few months I have tested out a dozen or so Yaks for my new kayak eco tour/fishing division. The drifter model was the best one to fish out of by far.

Paul

Paul,

Thanks very much for the tip! It's very helpful to hear from someone that has paddled a bunch of different boats. The Drifter was already recommended, and is on my list of boats to try to demo.

Good fishing,
Bob

[kalamaiofly]

I'm 5,4 & 133 lbs. I'm looking for a scrambler here in Italy. I think it's enogh for me. Am i right?:confused:

[FLYRODER]

Kalamaiofly the Scrambler XT would be perfect for you. You might also try out the Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW.

[swflyfisher]

Desmobob,

I am 6'1, 225lbs and the new owner of a pungo this season. I find that it handles well and is very stable. I have used it about 6 times so far this season, mostly in estuary water.. so no surf or heavy waves. I have fished witha 9wt flyrod and a spiining rod. I was surprised how well it tracks given the wide beam. The best advantage of the Pungo is the new wilderness sytems adjustable seat. i find the seat very comfortable. Good luck in your search!!

swflyfisher

[ekg]

I weigh about 250 and fishn out of an Old Town Loon 138. I use a 240 cm padlle and have a rudder installed. If you try real hard you can dump anything. Dumpimg a Loon takes some doing. The big cockpit makes getting in and out easy . but practice ia few times , These are all little boats and you can get killed in them. The ocean does not reward stupidity. I think the biggest danger is being hit by a bigger boat under power. Stay aware . Good fishing. ekg