Fishing Kayak Weight Capacity

[@lowlifeangler]

I have a cheap sit on top fishing kayak with a 300lb capacity. I only 4 plugs. I notice taking in alot of water in the tank well due to the weight of the crate. So I started plugging up those holes and leave my front holes my feet open. Made alot of different. That you for the video. I'll be upgrading to a Native soon

[@LunaticPariah]

As I've been doing my research on which yak to buy as a big boy this is an awesome video. Thank you!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@LunaticPariah thank you for watching!

[@michaell1665]

Great video and subject matter!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thank you for watching

[@southernsouloutdoors]

Great video on a much needed topic! Keep it up!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Thank you for watching!

[@JustFishing1489]

I appreciate this video and the industry needs to be a lot more transparent. I disagree on one point. Water coming through the scuppers doesn’t necessarily mean the kayak is sinking. Some kayaks have a larger difference between the kayak floor and bottom of the hull making for deep scupper channels. Others have much shallower scupper holes because of very low floors. Water comes in scuppers when the height of the floor is below the waterline. The hull can still have significantly more floatation at that point. One that comes to mind is the titan x 12.5 which seems to almost always have water on the floor even when loaded well below the useable capacity

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Titan X issues are more due to weight distribution than anything. When water is coming through the scuppers and the deck is below the water level you will see substantial performance drop and water starting to collect in more places that it cant drain out. thank you for your feedback. This discussion really needs to be had

[@Noneya-z8j]

100% correct

[@TheZX11]

This. My Perception Pescador 12 (Wilderness Tarpon 120) normally has a wet seat due to the scuppers and seat being close to the water line by design. Stability. It is a low and narrow kayak. Also, the front two scuppers by the feet regularly have a bit of water over them. Depends on waves and how hard you are paddling. That is 190lbs person in a 250lbs rated kayak.

[@truecrimson1]

2012 Wilderness Ride 135 usually water in the scuppers. It may come up and go down with waves or movement or current but it doesn't stay on the deck. I do a lot of creeks and moving water. 500 pound capacity, person has ranged from 200 to 300 pounds and gear is

[@Flippencz]

Great topic. I totally maxed out on my Oldtown sportsman PDL 106. I use Oldtowns valve scupper plugs and they work great. I do leave the two at the bow open completely. Most of the weight is on the stern. The first day I had The yak on the water, water would flow in through the scupper plugs while standing, this being bone dry with no accessory’s. I mean the water leaves the kayak once you sit down or make a run. I don’t know if other kayaks do the same, but this is my only complaint. No that I have a NK180pro w/ battery, I feel I need to lose some weight cause I believe I could go faster than 5.5 mph. I can almost hit 6 while pedaling. 😎🤙

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Not a huge deal. It's when the water comes in and doesn't leave that you have a problem! Be safe out there!

[@DennisReynolds]

I'm 300lb and in an unlimited. I run a deep cycle battery with a 55lb thrust trolling motor and at least another 100lbs of gear on top of that. I run with scuppers out, but I have water in the "scales". The unlimited is definitely built for big guys.

[@TheZX11]

Is that the kayak with the 400 lbs useful load? As long as it is stable and can handle some waves splashing over it, seems like it is good to go at whatever weight.

[@granvillej3316]

Excellent video I think that kayak retailers really must be truthful to these realities. I feel it’s a retailers responsibility to be honest to the buyer and make sure they are going to purchase the best kayak that is going to not just fit their budget, but to really keep them safe on the kayak and hold off before they decide to add all these really cool gadgets and mods to their kayak, correct me if I’m wrong! We don’t want anything serious to happen out there on the water the goal is for everyone to be safe and enjoy an incredible outdoor activity forever and to pass it on to their children. I so much showed interest into the Nucanoe unlimited just for that reason I want to be safe and secure on the water, but be aware of and know what to do when an unexpected accident may happen! Now watching Chad Hoover and Gene Jensen floating on the water both on the new Bonafide XTR 130 and move around so well on it I have found my new love interest! LOL. I’m also going a step further taking some swimming lessons and trying to get out of the water in the side and not the ladder just to see how I can pull myself out of the water and if I’m steering enough to do when I’m wearing clothes and fully engulfed with water. Tight lines sir take care and God bless!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@granvillej3316 absolutely! Keep in mind that retailers really only know what the manufacturers tell us. Sometimes the people we talk to don't even truly know. Sometimes it's just guesswork. Nucanoe does separate the capacity so I definitely don't throw shade at them

[@jonbullard7074]

Good stuff. I think usable weight capacity is the only way to go.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Its the most accurate i think. As long as everyone is using the same scale it will shed some light on things

[@jeromehebert3184]

I think that you are right the industry should come together to get a standard which would be must better than the government telling them what to do,

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@jeromehebert3184 yes 100%

[@commonpatriot7595]

What I researched a long time ago is that the weight capacity listed on a kayak is listed at that number for the best performance of that kayak. Yes. All kayaks can handle more weight than what is listed on that specific kayak. But once a kayak capacity is over the weight listed affects the performance of that specific kayak.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

@@commonpatriot7595 that is not the case with all kayaks.

[@cackler119]

And here my wife and both got into our little 8.5 yak that has 225 lb limit molded into it, paddled it around the pond, giggling like (insert offensive phrase here). However, we seeing what would sink the small craft. It didn’t draft in 3 inches of water with both of us on it, but it didnt turn into a submarine or the U.S.S. Guardian either.

[@TheZX11]

The Lynx is rated at 275lbs. Me at 200 lbs, a 9 yr old kid on the back end, and a cooler were fine on the Hobie Lynx. Later, I tried to get on the back of the Lynx with my 220lbs neighbor in the seat. The whole back end was stable but totally submerged a few inches under water. I was wondering if I could rescue another adult kayaker/boater in an emergency with it. Not so much. Drag them to shore? Oddly, our Bote HD inflatable paddle board rated at 315 lbs, was fine with two adults 220 each and a 40 lbs dog. But they were just sitting on it and not standing.

[@rex_ad_regum7540]

This very issue is what put me off the Jackson Knarr. It has almost given me buyers paralysis. Its so much to spend and I dont want to mess it up.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

I run into guys all the time that are bigger fellas and cannot understand why they can’t put 400 lbs of stuff in their kayak. 🙄 If the capacity is 400 lbs and you weigh 350, ya probably need to think twice about adding a motor and a battery 😳 They blame the kayak bc it is taking on water through the scuppers…duh.

[@robbiejohnson3698]

I bought a old town 136 Took the battery and trolling motor out and it still weigh 132 pounds I sold it I didn’t want to buy a trailer

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Those are huge for sure

[@raysgonefishing3271]

So what's a good kayak for some one that's like 350?

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Nucanoe Unlimited and the Bonafide PWR129 are some of the best at the moment.

[@raysgonefishing3271]

@@thebeardedpaddler thank you sir

[@Ryan-cn4ol]

@@raysgonefishing3271 I disagree with @thebeardedpaddler about those being the "best" at the moment. They're good but the pa14, the big rig fd and the AP136 are better for bigger guys in my opinion. I'm sure the new XTR will be the king soon though

[@AnAngryAngler]

@@Ryan-cn4ol Possibly, yet consider weight distribution, higher overall weight capacity does not always equate to that weight being in one position of the boat.

[@adwhite804]

@@Ryan-cn4ol those are bigger , heavier boats as well. Oman's they will be a lot harder to control and paddle ( when and if needed. More like when.. cuz batteries and electronics will do some weird stuff) . Best thing to do is hopefully find a local retailer who offers demos! Or has a demo day. Test that you're interested in, and ask the pros.... they have been on a ton of yaks, and they know hat works. PS- this board you mentioned are usually good for lakes and such. But how well do they perform in rivers or skinny water? Maybe that something you don't fish or care about though. So, consider where your gunna fish, how your gunna fish, not just how big or how much weight capacity is. I can tell you from experience, we sweet alot more crap out there than we really need to. I like to be prepared for anything. But!!! I've found even in bad days when I'm changing baits to find patterns... you still only use less than half of what you bring. Consider learning to go a bit lighter on tackle than you think! I promise you, the at saves you weight, hassle of diggin thru multiple things bus saving time & getting in more casts. I'm just a schmuck who loves to fish. Luv my yak... but! After 2.5 yrs now. Definitely see things I'd have preferred and how to make a wiser choice. Ofcourse I'd probably made a wiser decision if anyone within 100 miles demo'd or hade a demo event. Renting for a day for 100$ to try something out wasn't in the cards. Would have cost me more than the yak I bought, lol. Woulda tried too many and burned up the kayak money. lol.tight lines guys

[@AnAngryAngler]

My view is there not a ‘Standard’ industry wide for weight capacity. An industry standard much like MPG would end this non-issue. As a consumer it is your duty to do your own Due Diligence. Investigate the true specifications before you buy.

[@wciii3591]

Bonifide uses the "you have to figure it out yourself," method. In my eyes, that is deceitful.

[@thebeardedpaddler]

I disagree, it's clearly on their website as the definition of the capacity.

[@Itsawonderfulllife]

If industry doesn't self regulate, Big Brother will sooner than later. It'll happen because of an accident. Industry, please figure it out before litigation happens!

[@thebeardedpaddler]

Man I hope not.

[@raysgonefishing3271]

As a big fat guy myself this is something I lay attention to very closely

[@thebeardedpaddler]

same here.

[@NewDayExcavating]

So as a 6'2" 330lb guy should I not get the Nucanoe Unlimited? I'm looking at purchasing my 1st kayak and was hoping the Nucanoe Unlimited would fit the bill in case I ever wanted to add a motor. But listening too your video now I'm unsure.

[@raysgonefishing3271]

@@NewDayExcavating I'm the same size as you and that's what I was thinking. Cause I know the unlimited weight with seat us 105 from Alex putting it on a scale .

[@Flippencz]

Great topic. I totally maxed out on my Oldtown sportsman PDL 106. I use Oldtowns valve scupper plugs and they work great. I do leave the two at the bow open completely. Most of the weight is on the stern. The first day I had The yak on the water, water would flow in through the scupper plugs while standing, this being bone dry with no accessory’s. I mean the water leaves the kayak once you sit down or make a run. I don’t know if other kayaks do the same, but this is my only complaint. No that I have a NK180pro w/ battery, I feel I need to lose some weight cause I believe I could go faster than 5.5 mph. I can almost hit 6 while pedaling. 😎🤙