big man, 6'3'', 300 pounds. looking for first kayak

txbirdman01 · Post by **txbirdman01** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:47 pm

hi all. Ive been trying to get out on to the water for a couple of months now. at first i wanted a float tube, then a kick boat, or anything to get me out there, and so i went to bass pro shop in san antonio. and the man in the fly shop told me to check out this sight first, and to consider a kayak.(also want to say thanks to that man. i didnt get his name. but thanks.) well now im sold, i really really really want a kayak. but....im a big man. im 6'3'' and just over 300 pounds, although people always say i dont look it.

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i have a couple of questions. i have a friend that offered to sell me his mainstream pelican kayak. I read that the max limit is 300lbs. well including tackle and all, it might be loading to 325 or so. i want to know if the kayak will still perform. or will i be wet with now where to go.

i also want to know then what would a good kayak be for my demensions. ive seen some of yalls pics. i know yall all aint triathalon runners so ide like yalls advice on a good starter kayak thats not pricey. i think i saw the speck was 350lbs max load. at 325lbs would i still be tipping the scale on this one to the point that it wont perform?

ide really appreciate any info or opinions from all of yall. this is such a cool forum that i cant seem to turn my computer off with out checking in for a couple of hours. lol. I plan to use this kayak everywher. im interested in rivers, ,mainly lake, but also the bay and maybe out past the surf or near the south jetties. so thanks again yall.

Night Wing · Post by **Night Wing** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:09 pm

For lyour size, physical weight and the ability to carry gear, which will add more weight to the yak.....if it were me, I'd demo a Malibu X-Factor. Here is the link.

http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayak_xFactor.asp

Once on the page, click on "Features/Specs". The only drawback, it's not inexpensive, but it will meet all of your requirements.

Mythman · Post by **Mythman** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:35 pm

I am very close to your size and I started with a yak which I pretty much maxed out and it was wet (water always in the cockpit and footwells) most of the time. I was very uncomfortable fishing in a bathtub half full of water......I traded up to a Malibu X-Factor and have never been happier. Now I paddle all types of water (bays, surf, rough,etc) and carry everything but the kitchen sink and I am dry.

There are a couple of other boats that will keep you dry the Cobra FishnDive and the Malibu Pro Explorer. Most others are very suspect to keep anyone our size dry.......however there will be others stating their yaks are dry or that being wet doesn't matter......and that my friend is a lot of BS/hogwash.

Save yourself time and $$$, get a dry yak for your first one.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

medlin88 · Post by **medlin88** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:54 pm

These guys are right, do your research first best to spend your $$ right the first time. They have some great deals in the classified section here.
X-factor and some others are great kayaks for big guys.

jgsatx · Post by **jgsatx** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:08 pm

Welcome to the site Birdman,

There are many kayakers in the San Antonio area. There is going to be a get together on New Years day at Blanco State Park. If you click on top on Chapters, scroll down to the TKFSA Forum. Click on request access and you can access the site as soon as a moderator approves the request. Most if not all of the people there will be happy to let you try out their kayaks. Some people may even have extras that they may bring along. I know the X-factor and Ocean Kayak Big Game among others are made for big guys. They have high weight capacitys and are very stable. Check the classifieds and craigslist for good deals on used yaks also.

Justin

FIREMAN · Post by **FIREMAN** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:46 am

I am very close to your size. My first yak was a WS T-140. It is a great boat but I am to heavy and was always wet. Traded up to the X-Factor and I love this boat. It is very stable and dry. I can even stand up and fish if I want to. Once I paddled the X I was sold. Give it a try.

Lollipop · Post by **Lollipop** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:15 am

When looking at the capacity of the kayak, remember the capacity includes the weight of the kayak. Thus if you are 300 pounds, the kayak weighs 70, and you have 30 pounds of gear, you are already at 400 pounds. Throw in an extra 100 pounds for free-board and you are limited to the kayaks that have been discused above.

Sit-on-top kayaks are designed with scupper holes. These are drains to allow water that comes into the cockpit to drain out. If you over load a kayak, water comes up through the scupper holes. The scupper holes can be plugged, but then be sure to carry a sponge.

Lollipop

Mythman · Post by **Mythman** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:33 am

Lollipop wrote:When looking at the capacity of the kayak, remember the capacity includes the weight of the kayak. Thus if you are 300 pounds, the kayak weighs 70, and you have 30 pounds of gear, you are already at 400 pounds. Throw in an extra 100 pounds for free-board and you are limited to the kayaks that have been discused above.

Sit-on-top kayaks are designed with scupper holes. These are drains to allow water that comes into the cockpit to drain out. If you over load a kayak, water comes up through the scupper holes. The scupper holes can be plugged, but then be sure to carry a sponge.

Lollipop

Lollipop makes a very good point. Another consideration, for maximum protection and flotation some recommend not exceeding the maximum capacity by 70-80 %. Using this theory, a kayak with a 600 lb. capacity should not exceed total carrying weight of 420-480 lbs (which includes kayak 70 lbs, person 300 lbs and gear of 50-100 lbs). It doesn't take long for your gear to add up.

Post by **Tombo** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:11 am

Be open minded and test out some of the kayaks mentioned above. Think about other aspects such as a PFD (don't be cheap here), paddle, seat, outer wear, anchor. Try not to buy a bunch of extra stuff in the begining and make its simple.
Welcome aboard, and use the Search Icon above to research any questions you have. With 6,000 + members, chances are your questions have already been asked.

Electric Water Boy · Post by **Electric Water Boy** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:29 am

Big boys need big boats.

Malibu - XFactor or eXtreme

Ocean Kayak - Prowler Big Game

Cobra - Fish N Dive

There are a bunch of the Malibus in SA so testing one of them is no problem. Think you'll like them. Not sure if anyone has the Cobra. Negatives to it are no rudder capability and the footwells are narrow. I've only paddles the Big Game once for a few minutes. I liked it, but not as much as my eXtreme.

Check'em all out out and they go buy one and join our addiction.

CavassoCruiser · Post by **CavassoCruiser** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:56 am

Don't overlook the Malibu eXtreme, either...not a surfboat, but awesome for flat water, and it will tote the weight. That said, I'm 6'2" and 280, and love my Malibu ProExplorer; I feel it's one of the smallest boats that will work for me in most conditions. Paddle a lot of boats!

fowlwaters · Post by **fowlwaters** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:27 am

I would not look at the Speck I had one and I am only 180lbs. and the seat is small and my legs would go to sleep after about 20-30 min. of yakking then I could not walk when I got to my wading spot.The Speck is a great boat if you fit in it. Go to some of the chapter get together and try some out you might have to save alittle longer but you will happier in the long run.

txbirdman01 · Post by **txbirdman01** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 12:16 pm

thanks for all the info yall, this is great. Mythman, i appreciate that 70-80 percent theory, i wouldnt have known otherwise.

and jgsatx, thanks for the reminder of the blanco park get together. i will defenitly be going to that, so if anyone can maybe keep me in mind for that, ide really like to try out some kayaks.

i also received pms from southwestpadd and skinnyfeet thanks yall, i will probably take yall up on yalls offers sometime, not immediatly though, gotta find some time off from work. also, thanks for the link night wing very helpful.

ill see yall at the get together for sure then, thanks again yall.

man i love tkf. thanks all.

TheBert · Post by **TheBert** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 12:20 pm

cobra fish n dive...great kayak for us big guys.

Lumberhound · Post by **Lumberhound** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:00 pm

welcome txbirdman01,

I bet you were talking to Richard at bass pro. I super nice guy about 6'4 or so?

Also I have a heritage Marquesa and love the the way it handles and preforms.

Electric Water Boy · Post by **Electric Water Boy** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:26 pm

You do the Blanco thing and Skinnyfeet will make sure there's a yak for you there.

Lollipop · Post by **Lollipop** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:26 pm

Electric Water Boy wrote:You do the Blanco thing and Skinnyfeet will make sure there's a yak for you there.

I was going to bring my 8' long Mainstream Jazz for him. After that any kayak would seem like a good kayak.

Lollipop

Electric Water Boy · Post by **Electric Water Boy** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 5:40 pm

An ironing board with pool noodles duct taped to it would be better than...

Skinnyfeet · Post by **Skinnyfeet** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:51 am

Electric Water Boy wrote:You do the Blanco thing and Skinnyfeet will make sure there's a yak for you there.

Yep, I'll have an X Factor, Extreme, Pro Explorer and a couple of Mini X's there for anyone who'd like to give 'em a test drive

.

No tater salad this trip though .........

Electric Water Boy · Post by **Electric Water Boy** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:12 am

No tater salad this trip though .........

Dang, then what's the point in going?

Bluffer · Post by **Bluffer** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:35 am

I 2nd the Cobra F/D you can really load them down.

txbirdman01 · Post by **txbirdman01** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:49 am

does anyone have any opinions on the wilderness system Ride? or what about the ok drifter?

Lollipop · Post by **Lollipop** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:03 pm

txbirdman01 wrote:does anyone have any opinions on the wilderness system Ride?

Will anyone have a Ride at the Blanco State Park? If not, I may throw one on my pickup.
Lollipop