Kayaks for Fluffy Folk

Tim

Tim

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I'm in the market for a recreational kayak. Mostly just drifting down river with a beer while getting sunburnt. After borrowing/renting a couple, I'm leaning toward a sit-in rather than sit on top style.

I'm 6'4" 265#.

Go.
 
Well, I don't recommend taking the fur suit out in the water like that. The internal cooling packs need recharging, and the whole suit can become an anchor on you if you fall in the water, and it gets wet.
 
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BurnedOutGeek said:
@DCGallim
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Fat jokes aside. I’m 6’6” 300lbs and was extremely comfortable in my Jackson Big Rig it is a sit on top. For smaller rivers it’s big. If you want something to sit in I’d look at the Native Ultimate, more of a SOT Canoe hybrid. Plus Native is somewhat local to you.
 
I've had both and I wouldn't go back to a sit in for me they were too hard to get in and out of.Plus a sit on top to me is alot better when you need to stretch your legs or back.. If you have a local kayak store I recommend that you go sit on/in a few. If they have a demo day like Get outdoors in GSO does that would be a plus.
 
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You know what you want but I found a sit in Yack to be a bit claustrophobic. More position options with a sit on also.
 
I bought a sit-in, partly because that was what I was used to - didn't grok sit-ons at the time. I am not as big as you...

It's been fun, but next one will likely be sit on top. Some of the shortcomings are 1) harder to get in & out of; 2) less [actual & potential] storage space; 3) harder to accessorize -- all the aftermarket goodies (think: The Comfy Chair) seem to be for sit-ons.
 
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Sit on tops won’t fill with water and sink, just my opinion of course.

I’m on my third wilderness systems kayak that’s a sit on top and I’m 6’1, and about 330.

yes I know, I’m fat.
 
pinkbunny said:
Well, I don't recommend taking the fur suit out in the water like that. The internal cooling packs need recharging, and the whole suit can become an anchor on you if you fall in the water, and it gets wet.
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Indeed! Best to stick with just wearing the head and maybe some handpaws as a partial. A friend of mine does so all the time on his Jon boat! :D
 
I just bought one of each :rolleyes: they both have their place. I have a 12' Ascend FS12 sit on that works great for overnighters and places that I can back the truck up to. Otherwise its pretty heavy and awkward (like myself) but fairly stable and lots of room to stretch out. My pick for floating carelessly down the river and consuming mass amounts of juice boxes. I also have a Pelican 10' sit in that gets the nod for daytrips and places with a long carry or portage. Both are cheaper type boats but work great for my half assed approach at kayaking:D.
 
You looking to buy something new? I actually just am bout to pickup a bass boat and am selling my wilderness systems ride 115x SOT setup for fishing with a center console Lowrance fish finer and GPS as well as trolling motor optional rigged on the back. Pics if you're interested.
 
Infamous1 said:
I just bought one of each :rolleyes: they both have their place. I have a 12' Ascend FS12 sit on that works great for overnighters and places that I can back the truck up to. Otherwise its pretty heavy and awkward (like myself) but fairly stable and lots of room to stretch out. My pick for floating carelessly down the river and consuming mass amounts of juice boxes. I also have a Pelican 10' sit in that gets the nod for daytrips and places with a long carry or portage. Both are cheaper type boats but work great for my half assed approach at kayaking:D.
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https://gearcloud.net/diy-kayak-cart/
 
Love2shoot said:
You looking to buy something new? I actually just am bout to pickup a bass boat and am selling my wilderness systems ride 115x SOT setup for fishing with a center console Lowrance fish finer and GPS as well as trolling motor optional rigged on the back. Pics if you're interested.
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Maybe. send some pics along.
 
Burt Gummer said:
https://gearcloud.net/diy-kayak-cart/
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I have three of those carts. On a point A to a point B trip you have to carry the cart with you and they honestly just don't work great on rough terrain. I tried to make them work for me I really did. I just found it easier to buy a 35lb boat, toss tackle, paddle, life jacket in it and hang it on my shoulder and go.
 
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The top one is a Wilderness Systems 14' I got from a member here or there. Works well but like others have said hard to get out of my knees are bone on bone no cartilage left so sometimes I have had to roll out to get out of it. Short and fat with bad knees is no joke. A lot of open storage. The wife's is rated to 375 lbs Emotion Stealth Pro Angler 11'6".
 
xRHINOx said:
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The top one is a Wilderness Systems 14' I got from a member here or there. Works well but like others have said hard to get out of my knees are bone on bone no cartilage left so sometimes I have had to roll out to get out of it. Short and fat with bad knees is no joke. A lot of open storage. The wife's is rated to 375 lbs Emotion Stealth Pro Angler 11'6".
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Was down in Florida last winter and we got some kayaks and went through some of the Mangroves. The fist one they gave me was not rated for me and I was falling side to side had to fight to keep balance. Very unstable. Got a larger one they had and things were smooth again.
 
Tim said:
I'm in the market for a recreational kayak. Mostly just drifting down river with a beer while getting sunburnt. After borrowing/renting a couple, I'm leaning toward a sit-in rather than sit on top style.

I'm 6'4" 265#.

Go.
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Anything from Wilderness Systems with a 5 on the end or a Pungo 120. I have an Aspire 105 and and a Pungo 105. Both have roomy cockpits and are rated for 350-400# and stable as all getout... With WS, the number is the length and it ends with a 0 or a 5 if it's a light load rating or heavy.
 
I have a Field and Stream Eagle Run from Dick's. It has a 500 lb capacity and it's carried me and quite a bit of camping gear. I'm not small at 6' 1' and around 300 lbs..
It's very stable and while I hate the politics associate with the store I do like the product.
 
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xRHINOx said:
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The top one is a Wilderness Systems 14' I got from a member here or there. Works well but like others have said hard to get out of my knees are bone on bone no cartilage left so sometimes I have had to roll out to get out of it. Short and fat with bad knees is no joke. A lot of open storage. The wife's is rated to 375 lbs Emotion Stealth Pro Angler 11'6".
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I miss that boat... Impossible to flip that Commander... If you ever sell it remember I get dibs and first right of refusal!
 
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Oh and I prefer a sit in for many reasons. Lower center and more stable (depends on the boat), sealed hatches with more storage, no sunburned legs, protection when pushing through brush and such, less worry about my stuff falling off the boat since it's in the boat and not sitting on the top of it, they tend to be a bit lighter and you can carry them loaded easier, you stay dryer going through light rapids... The list goes on.
 
Tim said:
I'm in the market for a recreational kayak. Mostly just drifting down river with a beer while getting sunburnt. After borrowing/renting a couple, I'm leaning toward a sit-in rather than sit on top style.

I'm 6'4" 265#.

Go.
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If you don’t plan on doing a lot of fishing a sit in will be fine. I have a 10 footer rated ate 325#. I’m around 260-270 6’ 1” and have plenty of control and buoyancy and what not, to be able to go in to as shallow as 8ish inches of water, and choppy water. Would I take it on the ocean, or down any mild or higher rapids? Nope

If you have a Dunham’s near you, they are always having sales on them

you’ll need to get a paddle sized to you, plenty of calculators out there for that.
 

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Also look at the NuCanoe Frontier or Pursuit. I have a 12' Frontier and I can stand up and dance in that thing. She probably doesn't paddle as well as a Big Rig but you won't find anything more stable. Big fellas seem to like them. Oh, and it will take a 5hp motor if that appeals to you.
NuCanoe's customer service is absolutely stellar. I contacted them once about buying some clips or something (don't remember) and they sent me a bag of them no charge.

If you were closer, I'd let you take it out for a spin.
 
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Spartan01 said:
So, is it a good one? Or el cheapo?
Seriously asking-
5’6, 200 lbs
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I'd say cheapo. Look at Jackson, Wilderness, Native, Kaku, NuCanoe. Get Outdoors in Greensboro use to do demo days and rentals. You're close enough to go try some out, they also have nice used, Blem, and Demo boats for sale. Also Rock Outdoors in Lexington has a large selection.
 
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Tim said:
I'm in the market for a recreational kayak. Mostly just drifting down river with a beer while getting sunburnt. After borrowing/renting a couple, I'm leaning toward a sit-in rather than sit on top style.

I'm 6'4" 265#.

Go.
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I'm 6'4" 245#.

I have a Jackson Kilroy, which is a sit-in fishing kayak. It has a very roomy, open cockpit, and is stable enough to fish standing up. The original Kilroy has been phased out, replaced by the Kilroy HD.

But, they have a recreational model based on the original Kilroy hull called the Tripper 12 that would meet your criteria.

Jackson's ain't cheap, but they are extremely nice. The fishing models are really well thought-out. Used ones hold their value surprisingly well, but you can find a deal if you keep your eyes open. I got my Kilroy used, one year old, for less than half the cost of a new one.
 
DCGallim said:
I'd say cheapo. Look at Jackson, Wilderness, Native, Kaku, NuCanoe. Get Outdoors in Greensboro use to do demo days and rentals. You're close enough to go try some out, they also have nice used, Blem, and Demo boats for sale. Also Rock Outdoors in Lexington has a large selection.
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@Spartan01 This ^^
 
I had $800 or so in my 12' Ascend by the time it was mostly rigged. I could not justify one of the high end boats for what I use them for. I tried a few different kayaks and the Ascend fit monetarily and performance wise. I have several buddies with them and no issues thus far. I sit in one of the Ascend H10s and I felt nice and roomy but it was on the floor so IDK about stability in the water. My wife has an Ascend 10T and it has a more rounded bottom so it is not nearly as stable as mine but she doesn't drink so she stays in it better than me. Mine has been known to do some work though.
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Infamous1 said:
I had $800 or so in my 12' Ascend by the time it was mostly rigged. I could not justify one of the high end boats for what I use them for. I tried a few different kayaks and the Ascend fit monetarily and performance wise. I have several buddies with them and no issues thus far. I sit in one of the Ascend H10s and I felt nice and roomy but it was on the floor so IDK about stability in the water. My wife has an Ascend 10T and it has a more rounded bottom so it is not nearly as stable as mine but she doesn't drink so she stays in it better than me. Mine has been known to do some work though.
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Can’t trust someone’s opinion who wears shoes with individual toes.
 
If you are only going downstream..... I really like my Old Town Guide 119. It’s under 50 lbs and you can bring anything you want. Coolers, gear, tackle boxes. I normally wind up carrying all my friends stuff who use sit on tops. Way cheaper than a name brand sit on top too. They’re on a Craigslist a lot.

Goes downstream great, but not great for long paddles. Catches wind, doesn’t track well.
 

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I can stand up in my wilderness systems 115x all day long, stretch my legs, cast, reign in fish. A stable higher end kayak is a lifesaver. Its the difference between enjoying the day or just doing it to say you did it. Imo
 
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