Get me in a kayak- Big boy kayak? 2024

dgkasper58 reply :

I hear that I may be able to fit in one @ 6'4'' and 300 lbs.

I have no experience with kayaking but with trailer fees skyrocketing and maintenance going up I feel its less and less likely that I get a boat until I save up for my dream boat. Until then I wouldn't mind being able to run around and have some more freedom with the yaks as I don't have a boat locally.

I've heard big rig/vibe sea ghost and looking for more options

Any big guys have experience with any makes/models?

TIA

SuperDuty reply :

Paddle kayak or peddle? What are ya gonna fish mostly, ocean, lakes, rivers? If it's a paddle kayak, are you going to mostly paddle or plan to put a trolling motor on it? Will you paddle long distances or mainly in one general area where you launched at? Do you want to stand and fish too?

Lots of variables to decide before you can narrow it down.

dgkasper58 reply :

Don't care- if it is paddle or peddle. Prefer peddle just to keep my hands fishing.

Lakes and rivers

No trolling motor.

I would be fine paddling/peddling wherever I go.

I would love to stand especially flipping/pitching- Concerned with stability on setting hook

SuperDuty reply :

For me choosing a peddle yak, it'd be a hard choice between the slayer propel max and the Hobie Outback.

But if extreme stability is a major concern, the Native Titan ,feel free Durado, or Hobie PRo Angler. Or the new Kaku Zulu would be a contender as well.

Dens228 reply :

There's a huge price range too, so it depends on what you want to spend.

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/21/2020 at 9:26 AM, Dens228 said:

There's a huge price range too, so it depends on what you want to spend.

Well, I am open for whatever. As always I would be most interested in best bang for my buck. As I would not want to put a large deposit on that glass boat I am interested in, into a yak that I may not get back.

Hook2Jaw reply :

I know a guy about your size who fishes a Hobie Outback, for what that's worth. I believe it's a bit small for a man of that stature. I'm a little over 6', so moving into my new boat wasn't an issue, but for a big man these are the boats at come to mind for me.

You'll note I only suggest boats capable of being pedaled if they're in your budget, you said they were.

Hobie PA12 if you're looking for roomy, open decks with a large weight capacity, and excellent stability.

Hobie PA14 if you're looking for what the PA12 has to offer but require more speed.

Native Titan Propel 12 if you're looking for roomy, open decks with that same weight capacity and stability. The Titan is, from all reports I've ever read, slower than the PA series. Do not underestimate how much a boon instantaneously going into reverse is, however.

Native Titan Propel 13.5 if you're looking for the above with more speed.

If you've got decent balance, the Native Slayer Max 12.5 Propel is also a viable option and if you've got good balance and don't mind the idea of maybe rolling one day, the Old Town Predator PDL(my boat) is a speedy, speedy pedal kayak.

I haven't read about the Nucanoe drives enough to suggest those, but the base boats are excellent, stable, open, and incredibly customizable. They're one of the few kayak brands that offer a hull prepared to handle a bow mount trolling motor or an outboard on the rear.

Bluebasser86 reply :

You can absolutely get into one. I (was), 240lbs and took my 70lb golden retriever in my kayak with me, plus my gear, and felt I could have taken quite a bit more. I've got an Ocean Kayak Big Game Prowler II. It is not a kayak that I'd recommend for standing and fishing though. It can be done, but it's not one of the more stable yaks for standing.

Deeare reply :

Lots of great feedback above. I have an old town predator (I’m 6’2”. 210) and it’s great. I can stand in it if I’d like with no problem

Be aware of the weight of the kayak. Not sure how you plan on getting it to the lake but putting a heavy kayak on the roof of a car can be a pain and then dragging it 100 or so yards to launch are things to think about.

good luck!!

SuperDuty reply :

If you aren't in a hurry, I'd seriously wait until the kaku zulu is released in March and check it out. The stability and comfort will be 2nd to none. It is a brand new peddle system but with the owners prior professional history in bikes, I would imagine that peddle system will be top notch. And its a sub 2k boat so very affordable.

Kaku is well known for quality and customer service. It's a very sharp boat, too.

J Francho reply :

Peddling pedal paddlers is no joke. Another vote for the OK PBG II. I had an OG PBG, and it was stable and had a ridiculous capacity. Invest in the rudder kit, for sure.

Hawkeye21 reply :

NuCanoe Frontier 12

Hobie PA

Native Titan

Jackson Big Rig

Bonafide SS127 (look up videos of Chad Hoover, he's a big guy too)

HookInMouth reply :

Can't help with the pedal yaks. My son is a big dude though (6-2" and 300lb) and can stand and fish from the Kaku Voodoo. I think you would be fine on a lot of larger yaks from Bonafide, Nucanoe, Hobie, Old Town, Jackson, Native, etc. Find one with a capacity of 425 or more and you should be good.

CountryboyinDC reply :

On 1/21/2020 at 10:23 AM, dgkasper58 said:

As I would not want to put a large deposit on that glass boat I am interested in, into a yak that I may not get back.

I don't think you'll see too many kayaks appreciate, although the Hobies seem to increase in price about 3 times a year, so it may be feasible. The really stable kayaks are a bear to paddle any distance. If I were you, I'd look at a Jackson Big Rig HD/FD. You can probably get a 2019 model for $2,700 out the door right now. The Native Titans are another good option, and you should be likewise able to find last year's models on sale (both the 12 and 13 foot models). If money is no object, the Hobie Pro Angler is a favorite. They have a new 360 drive that allows propulsion in every direction, and promise to lighten your wallet by 5 grand or so. Stability comes at a price - all of these have some heft about them, and the Hobie is pretty fast and maneuverable, but the other 2 are going to be much less so.

Dens228 reply :

I had a Wilderness Radar 115 that I sold to a friend just getting into kayak fishing. I didn't believe it was big enough for him. I'm 5-09 240 and paddled it out for him to see, I rocked side to side like crazy, sat sideways in the seat, stood on it and casted, and when I got back to shore I just stood up and walked off the bow to get onto the land.

He then went out on it and did the same thing except for standing because he just wasn't confident yet, it was his first time ever in a kayak. He bought it and loves it, he's 6-03 315 pounds.

SuperDuty reply :

I've done quite a bit of kayak fishing and one thing I've realized is bass fishing with a paddle kayak can be tough at times. You're constantly having to lay your rod down to adjust the kayak, or being pulled into something when fighting a fish. And it doesn't take a very big fish to pull ya around. If you aren't laying your rod in your lap, then you're laying your paddle there. Just constantly fidgeting back and forth which can be aggravating. The pedal kayaks just really frees you up to concentrate and enjoy the fishing.

Reverse is so important on pedal kayaks. Just imagine fighting a fish and being able to just peddle backwards without a second thought. I have read enough and watched enough videos now to know that the instant reverse without having to pull any cords makes life soooooo much easier when fishing.

A guy really needs to decide his budget and what type of fishing he will do the most, and that would decide which yaks to look at.

If I was buying a pedal kayak today for fishing, it would be the slayer propel max hands down. If it was this spring, I'd have to test ride the kaku zulu and compare it to the slayer before I bit the bullet.

I watched a video just yesterday of a pro kayak bass fisherman who has fished out of a hobie for years. He could fish any kayak he wanted to and recently switched over to the slayer and gave a 14 video on why the slayer was such an amazing fishing machine.

JLewis134 reply :

Hobie PA easily.....

The Mirage drive for fishing is leaps and bounds the best drive.

SuperDuty reply :

It just seems like going from forward to reverse is such a pain with the hobies and I'm constantly seeing fisherman complaining about that. It's definitely not hands free reverse and if you're fighting a fish and need reverse, a hand has to come off the reel or rod to go to reverse.

In every other aspect, I think the mirage drive wins hands down, just not for hands free fishing. If I was fishing salt, I wouldn't pick anything but a Hobie PA

CountryboyinDC reply :

The 360 drive is probably as close to hands free as there is. With my pedal drive (Predator PDL), I often have to touch the rudder when I get a fish on too. The old 180 Mirage Drive is the reason I have a Predator rather than an Outback (they were the same price when I bought the Predator).

Boomstick reply :

I am about the same size as you and after a bunch of research I'm going to get myself a Bonafide SS127. The plus side is that it's as stable as they come, but the downside is that they are not the fastest. They also do not have a pedal drive system, although it is possible to modify them to be pedaled but I doubt that will work as well as it does on kayaks designed to pedal. The Old Town Topwater is also similar. Adding the rudder to either would probably be a solid investment. There is also a Topwater PDL version as well.

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/23/2020 at 9:37 AM, Boomstick said:

I am about the same size as you and after a bunch of research I'm going to get myself a Bonafide SS127. The plus side is that it's as stable as they come, but the downside is that they are not the fastest. They also do not have a pedal drive system, although it is possible to modify them to be pedaled but I doubt that will work as well as it does on kayaks designed to pedal. The Old Town Topwater is also similar. Adding the rudder to either would probably be a solid investment. There is also a Topwater PDL version as well.

Is there a reason you want to go non pedal drive? I thought that would have been a necessity for fishing?

J Francho reply :

On 1/23/2020 at 9:24 PM, dgkasper58 said:

I thought that would have been a necessity for fishing?

I fished for a dozen years without a drive system. It's a different set of challenges, but it's pretty much how many of us started. Many do not like drive systems as well.

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/23/2020 at 9:27 PM, J Francho said:

I fished for a dozen years without a drive system. It's a different set of challenges, but it's pretty much how many of us started. Many do not like drive systems as well.

Have you done both?

If so, which do you like more?

Dens228 reply :

On 1/23/2020 at 9:24 PM, dgkasper58 said:

Is there a reason you want to go non pedal drive? I thought that would have been a necessity for fishing?

I fished for four years with only a paddle. It actually gets to be second nature, keeping the paddle across your lap and becoming the master of one handed steering and moving forward and backwards a bit while fishing, not as easy as peddle but not all that difficult after you get the hang of it.
I have a Bixby now, I skipped the peddle part because they are just as expensive.

I have a Shearwater on order so if I decide to go the peddle route I can add it later.

J Francho reply :

On 1/23/2020 at 9:47 PM, dgkasper58 said:

Have you done both?

If so, which do you like more?

Paddled around 7 different models regularly (tried many more) from the early 2000s. Two summers ago, I got a Hobie Compass. There are times when positioning is easier with a paddle. Getting from spot to spot is much nier using the Mirage Drive.

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/24/2020 at 12:40 AM, J Francho said:

Paddled around 7 different models regularly (tried many more) from the early 2000s. Two summers ago, I got a Hobie Compass. There are times when positioning is easier with a paddle. Getting from spot to spot is much nier using the Mirage Drive.

I would assume you keep a paddle with you in the compass. Do you end up using a paddle for positioning or do you just settle with what you get from the Mirage Drive?

Boomstick reply :

On 1/23/2020 at 9:24 PM, dgkasper58 said:

Is there a reason you want to go non pedal drive? I thought that would have been a necessity for fishing?

A necessity? Absolutely not, but I will admit they are nice to have. The primary reason I am not going for a PDL system is that I feel that it is not a necessity, and I like the Bonafide's stability. I'm also a big guy and sometimes my ankles get stiff (probably arthritic from having gout too many times) so the more stable it is, the least likely I am to take a bath. The secondary reason is simply money. I too would like to buy a bass boat someday and I have other financial obligations and concerns to potentially worry about, and since I'm buying a kayak and a SUP for each of my kids this year as well, that extra $1k+ per kayak adds up fast.

Most of the lakes I will fish are fairly small. You can row across it in ten minutes if you row hard, find a spot to anchor down and work for a while. The largest lake in under a hour drive is 617 acres and you would only want to work no more than half of that lake in any given day, depending on the time of year and and the shoreline is pretty well cut out. There is one that is large I fish periodically, but the prime structure of the lake is a giant crevice that runs along the north side and is not far from the boat launch and there are no weeds at all-- if I'm going to catch a ten pounder there, I would bet my life savings it would come from around that area so most of the time, I'll work the shore along that crevice! So getting spot to spot is not the largest concern for me as it might be for someone using it on larger lakes.

As far as positioning yourself when fighting a fish, that is easier in theory with pedals, but not always. For example even going forward to reverse on Hobie kayaks is a chore. Sometimes a hard one handed paddle can turn the boat in the right direction a lot faster, because you can turn hard. Now of course you can do both, but should you go PDL, I would get a high angle paddle as you'll be able to turn a lot quicker!

Finally, another reason I chose not to get a pedal drive system is you will burn more calories rowing, and I could use that.

Choporoz reply :

I paddled for a number of years and often said that I had little need for pedals. I was lying to myself.

After 12 months with Mirage360, I can't imagine going out without it anywhere other than rocky rivers.

The 'wire-pull shift to reverse' has never left me wishing I could just pedal backwards instead...it takes less than a second....but, what do I know? Could be lying to myself again.

I take a full size paddle strapped alongside that never gets unstrapped -- just there in case the drive breaks.

I also take a hand-paddle that I use maybe once every twenty trips -- usually when I get too tight into docks and marinas and mangly laydowns

Boomstick reply :

On 1/24/2020 at 1:23 AM, Choporoz said:

The 'wire-pull shift to reverse' has never left me wishing I could just pedal backwards instead...it takes less than a second....but, what do I know? Could be lying to myself again.

I don't know from personal experience, but I have seen numerous complaints about the system and some video demos as well. Apparently the pull to drive system doesn't engage for some people and the time to slow down was significant enough to the point they were unsure that it engaged and keep going forward as a result. Honestly it's probably the #1 complaint about Hobies rather easily -- then again it may also be nitpicking since they have nothing else to complain about. This is what I was referring to as well as the fact that you can simply turn with a paddle quicker should you start drifting hard.

The hand paddle is a good idea, but if you're on a budget just guy a two-piece paddle and you can literally use half of it.

Choporoz reply :

On 1/24/2020 at 1:35 AM, Boomstick said:

I don't know from personal experience, but I have seen numerous complaints about the system and some video demos as well. Apparently the pull to drive system doesn't engage for some people and the time to slow down was significant enough to the point they were unsure that it engaged and keep going forward as a result. Honestly it's probably the #1 complaint about Hobies rather easily -- then again it may also be nitpicking since they have nothing else to complain about. This is what I was referring to as well as the fact that you can simply turn with a paddle quicker.

The hand paddle is a good idea, but if you're on a budget just guy a two-piece paddle and you can literally use half of it.

I know the tech refreshes pretty often, so my equipment could well operate very different from one sold just a couple years ago. But, you only need a few times out to get a 'feel' for the wires -- when you pull, you can feel the fins flip -- granted, in the early days, I didn't instinctively have my feet together and there were times when only one turned --- still more than enough to move in reverse, but it felt weird not getting resistance on one pedal. Mine, I can most certainly feel that it engages and not have any doubt that I can immediately pedal backward - I appreciate that it might be nice not to have to pull a cable...(especially down the road when I have a wire or hardware failure)...but I just don't have an issue with it when fighting fish -- I'm sure the some of the non-Hobie guys must put a hand on the rudder with a fish on at times....or grab a net....or fishgrips....or, like me, ash my cigar...without losing a fish

Boomstick reply :

On 1/24/2020 at 1:49 AM, Choporoz said:

I know the tech refreshes pretty often, so my equipment could well operate very different from one sold just a couple years ago. But, you only need a few times out to get a 'feel' for the wires -- when you pull, you can feel the fins flip -- granted, in the early days, I didn't instinctively have my feet together and there were times when only one turned --- still more than enough to move in reverse, but it felt weird not getting resistance on one pedal. Mine, I can most certainly feel that it engages and not have any doubt that I can immediately pedal backward - I appreciate that it might be nice not to have to pull a cable...(especially down the road when I have a wire or hardware failure)...but I just don't have an issue with it when fighting fish -- I'm sure the some of the non-Hobie guys must put a hand on the rudder with a fish on at times....or grab a net....or fishgrips....or, like me, ash my cigar...without losing a fish

Yeah, I know Hobie makes good kayaks and if money wasn't an object I would own a Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 in a heartbeat. The complaints and videos were all mid-late 2019, so it seems to be a newer issue. That said I would imagine it will be resolved pretty quickly. There's also a video of how to fix the problem yourself on YouTube as well, and it doesn't seem to need any parts which is good.

J Francho reply :

On 1/24/2020 at 12:51 AM, dgkasper58 said:

I would assume you keep a paddle with you in the compass. Do you end up using a paddle for positioning or do you just settle with what you get from the Mirage Drive?

Yes, and yes. Would you only fish in a boat using the outboard?

dgkasper58 reply :

On 1/24/2020 at 2:24 AM, J Francho said:

Yes, and yes. Would you only fish in a boat using the outboard?

Thank you. Just getting more info as I have never done the whole kayak thing and wasn't sure with that system, if people used a paddle with it. It seems 1 out of 2 use a paddle/hand paddle still.

Thanks guys for all the info. I will definitely still be looking at these for a while so feel free to continue to contribute and open my eyes a bit more! Trying to find a few places with demos.

rodandreel2010 reply :

Of course you are going to get answers based off of what everyone owns or has owned. Personally my vote goes to jackson. I was 295 lbs last spring. I have owned two coosa HDs, a big rig, and just purchased a coosa FD. If you're going to be in lakes mainly you're going to want a pedal drive. Boats for big boys are like pontoons. And paddling them SUCK!! Not gonna sugar coat it. If you are in a river or not going far sure but not for moving much. Now the great thing about jackson is you can buy a big rig HD, paddle it around and then when you have more funds buy the flex drive. It has a 500lb weight capacity. The coosa HD is also a very stable boat but I live mainly on the rivers so that's why I stuck with the coosa. If I was gonna be in mainly lakes and ponds I would have bought a big rig HD/FD. You can find some awesome deals on 2019s right now that places are closing out. If you are interested in a few places let me know. I have a few Saved that I know still have 2019 models. My brand new 2019 was $1000 off.

SuperDuty reply :

Several of the makes of kayaks will allow you to buy the kayak now and later down the road buy a pedal drive. But I agree, big heavy wide barges are definitely not meant for much paddling.

YoTone reply :

that 2020 PA is a dream kayak. When i saw one i drooled. it has a steering rudder on both sides! i hate steering with my left hand. makes it so hard to be efficient when using a right handed bait casting set up. but when i saw the price tag i almost fainted. its a heavy beast too but if you got a truck and a decent dolly set up and dont mind dropping $4-5K on one go for it.

I think the Native Titans are badass that wont break the bank but im a biased Native water craft owner.

the used market is a good place to look as well.

J Francho reply :

On 1/24/2020 at 2:35 AM, dgkasper58 said:

It seems 1 out of 2 use a paddle/hand paddle still.

I don't know how you couldn't use a paddle for tiny positioning adjustments. Its an advantage of using a kayak, being able to quietly move around things to make a perfect cast. You are essentially sneaking up on them. I can't tell you how many fish I've caught that I've seen first. Sort of debunks that myth that if you see them, they see you so don't bother.

dgkasper58 reply :

OK so I have reached out to a few vendors and it seems most are around the same price with various details. Being in chicago it is difficult to try every one of them...

Obviously I will be looking at reviews but what specs should stand out? A lot of the yaks have width differences and depth at beam...

What type of seat should I be looking for?

SuperDuty reply :

On 1/29/2020 at 2:41 AM, dgkasper58 said:

OK so I have reached out to a few vendors and it seems most are around the same price with various details. Being in chicago it is difficult to try every one of them...

Obviously I will be looking at reviews but what specs should stand out? A lot of the yaks have width differences and depth at beam...

What type of seat should I be looking for?

I think you should look at one of a minimum of 12' as far as the other dimensions go, I don't think they're as important. Reason being, you can have 33" wide kayaks that can have very different stability due to the hull shape (flat, cathedral, V). But I think the real stability starts in the 34" area and goes up.

I think the most important thing you can do is narrow down a few yaks your interested In and research them in great deal. And obviously test rides are the best way to decide.

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Get me in a kayak- Big boy kayak? 2024

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