Kayak Eye for the Economy Size Guy

[Mark Cahill]

Okay, I'm looking. I took a look at the Heritage Kayaks Sunday.

My question to you...what's the best kayak for a larger guy...most of the kayaks, I'd put over the weight limit...

Pretty much SOT is out of the question due to weight limitations.

[ruge13]

SOT out for weight, you mean to lift I assume?? The Cobras are heavy to lift, but can take a lot more weight than most SIKS...
I would check out the newer pungos P140 if you want a SIK thats a little lighter. They have a max listed wt. of 450lbs.

[Ray]

Mark,

Again...it's the Pungo 140 I would go with. The weight ranting is pretty high, 450#. The wide beam offers great stability too. You can try mine if you want sometime. it's a good deal too.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47801683&parent_category_rn=4501486&

Ray

Ps. The Heritage 14 foot Sportsman is a nice boat too.

[Mark Cahill]

I'm more concerned about the capacity. Me, gear, etc...

Those cobras look interesting. Fish n' Dive has more than enough capacity, and the tourer looks like a good all around fit...

[mdrew9]

Ugh stay away from those pungos. Heaven forbid you Economy size guys ever get stuck in that hole! ;) I am sure there are lots of Economy size guys in T160s and Prowlers.
Mike

[Wes]

This non-commercial site specializes in big guy kayaks and gear.

big guy kayaks (http://www.kayakplace.com/)

[Wes]

I think Malibu Extreme is another SOT with huge capacity like FnD

[joev]

Mark
How much weight you talking about ?

Shaun
Why the helll would he want a Sink ?We all know that SOTs are the way to go --125-3


Pungo Pungo Pungo (#$119) :brow

JoeV

[Mark Cahill]

We're talkin' about the full capacity of a Tarpon 120 - if I were to start adding gear (or maybe even clothes...) I'd be over.

The Prowler, Pungo, and the Cobra all seem like good alternatives.

[BluesCruiser]

Boston Whaler --125-3 :brow

[Wes]

Take those manufacturers listed capacities with a grain of salt. There are no uniform guidelines- some may be max recommended capacity for proper handling, some may be paddler weight, some may be displacement just before they sink. Boats will live weight different than dead weight in different conditions.

[Mark Cahill]

I'm planning on doing the test paddle thing to make sure I get something I can live with. But really just starting the think.

[ruge13]

Shaun
Why the helll would he want a Sink ?We all know that SOTs are the way to go --125-3

JoeV
This from a guy that has to fish the side of a little rip at night because his boat can't handle the middle:brow

(To those looking on, Joe knows I am just kidding)

[Todd Benedict]

Mark,

Why don't ya get a Pungo for fishing and a Heritage for a trailer to carry your gear in. Then you would have both and can rotate them.

Todd

[kayakninja]

Mark I have the Malibu Extreme and love it. Its not a fast yak or speedster and does weigh around 80lbs with all the gear I carry. Having a cart works for me. There are no kayak dealers around New England. New Jersey is the closest. You are welcome to test this kayak out when you come out to the Winthrop area. Take a look at Malibu kayaks website at the specs. It does hold a lot. If I was to do anything different I would have got it with a rudder. It turns no problem without the need for a problem but when wind hits your back it will kick out slightly and you will need to correct the problem with the paddle. Before looking at the FND (way overpriced) take a look at the Extreme.

[joev]

Extreme is a high capacity yak.
FnD is also very good with very large people.What is the capcity of the T120 ?
You could aslo check out the Emotion Fisherman.Its supposed to paddle better than a Fnd.

Shaun that seam along the side was very productive ;)
You wouldnt be able to fish that anyway even with a surfing yak (#$119)

[John Wade]

Don't forget Emotion. One month in mine and I am a happy guy.

[RJ]

Mark,

Dast I suggest a rowing dory? Having seen the amout of gear you like to have "just in case, something comes up!" You might wish to consider the rowing dory as a life style alternative! :brow Water proof bags strapped to thwarts would be the way to go! --126-3- --123-3

The Pungo 140 will fill the bill and it has a ton-o-storage space. i suggest a private lesson with Ray is in order. Or go to the Goose Hummock and try a demo on for size. Do not worry about the cockpit size in any Pungo. They are made for manly, men like you and me! --127-3-

You definately don't want to buy anything sold in New Jeresy! Geeze, think of the epa paperwork you would have to complete. That alone would keep me away for anything down there, even if it has a cool name! (#$119)

[AT Grimaldi]

Mark -

I have a cobra Explorer that I love and would be more than glad to meet up for you to test fish it our for a tide or two.

The link can be found here: http://www.cobrakayaks.com/explorer.html

PM me if interested. --127-3-

- AT

[PeteV]

Mark, I've got a couple Wilderness System Pamlicos (both are Tandems). I picked them up used at Goose Hummocks annual clearance sale. One is a very large Tandem called the Pamlico Excel, the other is a standard Tandem. The "excel" is very stable & can handle 2 ADULTS with ease. I used it to handle a ton of gear when I was paddling around the Cape. I always felt safe When I was in the Excell. Now that I'm using a boat I was going to get rid it but it seems to get a lot of use from friends down the cape..and its used as a good beater boat. The regular sized Pamlico tandem handles an adult and a kid. it also has a lot of capacity but I like the excell better because it feels like a stable beamy battle barge as I paddled around with all my fishing stuff. No need to be careful packing it, I just dumped everything in the front seat. Its suprisingly easy to paddle but it is pretty heavy (85lbs I think)..

[teflon_jones]

<snip>There are no kayak dealers around New England. New Jersey is the closest.<snip>

huh? there's more than a few sea kayak dealers in new england! here's one for you:
http://www.billingtonseakayak.com/

i know the feeling of searching for a boat (and other things) for a large person. i'm 6'4 270! i have to buy a darn big canoe to be able to put me and another person along with even a little bit of gear in it without exceeding the weight capacity!

[kayakninja]

huh? there's more than a few sea kayak dealers in new england! here's one for you:
http://www.billingtonseakayak.com/

i know the feeling of searching for a boat (and other things) for a large person. i'm 6'4 270! i have to buy a darn big canoe to be able to put me and another person along with even a little bit of gear in it without exceeding the weight capacity! Easy Teflon. I was referring to the "MALIBU EXTREME", as in MALIBU KAYAKS, mentioned in the same paragraph. There are some great choices for the large folk out there and Malibu is just one. Its more then likely sea kayak people or sea kayak dealers have no "clue" what "our" needs are when it comes to fishing.

[averagejoe]

New England small craft in Rowley has a good inventory of yaks for the big guys- they have a bunch of used ones too. They have a few rigged for fishing - there a nice "Hobie Outback" out front if you got the bucks and the legs.