Kayaks are very popular among anglers and especially they are loved by those who prefer moving silently on the water. But kayaking is not as easy as it seems to be.
It requires skill and knowledge about kayaking. That’s way nowadays people have a common question before choosing kayaks.
Is there a weight limit for kayaking?Obviously, kayaks have weight limits. Whichever kayak you choose for your trip, it has a weight capacity. It varies depending on the types of kayak. This number helps everyone to decide which kayak is safe for their weight. It also helps them to know how many equipments they can carry on the kayak.
Every kayak has a weight capacity number and this certain number is assigned by the manufacturers. In this article I will provide all types of kayak and their weight limit.
Related: Best Fishing Kayak Under $700
Is there any industry standard for Kayak Weight Limit?
Well, no. in fact there is a kind of confusion about the weight capacity number. Different companies approach with different conceptions to detect the maximum weight capacity of the kayak.
This different conception makes people confused about the number and they struggle to decide with the number would be best for them.
For example, if a kayak’s listed weight capacity is 280 pounds, does that refer a 280 pounds person can paddle the kayak or does it mean that a paddler can carry maximum 280 pounds weight including his own weight with all of his equipment?
How to determine the weight capacity of a kayak?
When there is confusion we don’t sit back, right? So here I am going to help you to determine how much weight you can carry on a kayak. If your kayak has 300 pounds of weight capacity it can still float when you carry 300 pounds of weight in total.
But the problem is kayak will be a little bit above the water surface and you will lose the stability of your kayak. So generally you can carry the weight in total that is listed in your kayak. But it will not give you the opportunity to have that manoeuvrability that you would prefer in your trip.
So what can you do to get that manoeuvrability? You just need to subtract 25% of the listed weight capacity to ensure your stability and safety. That means if you are 225 pounds, guy, you should look for a 300 pounds weight capacity in the kayak. And yes, don’t forget to subtract your equipment’s weight from the listed weight.
But this save zone will not ensure you to have a dry kayak. No matter what you do you will never get 100% dry kayak. Even your sitting position will not help you to stop the water coming from scupper holes. But yes your total weight in the kayak can determine to get you less water in your kayak.
To get better results you should subtract 50% of the listed weight capacity. It will help you to manoeuvre easily and you will be more comfortable to paddle your kayak. You will also get less water in your kayak. If you start to add weight in your kayak, its performance will degrade.
You will find some company who will give you two types of listed weight for a kayak- one is based on performance and another one is safety. You just need to choose your preferred one to get your desired trip.
Before going on a trip you need to measure the weight of your clothes and gears along with your own weight and then calculate the weight capacity based on the performance or safety of your kayak.
Just remember that you are going to paddle the kayak and so you need to ensure that your kayak is not just above the water surface, otherwise it will act more like a submarine than a light weighted kayak!
Weight Capacity of Different Type kayaks:
Though different companies have their own standard for weight capacity and they try to explain the weight capacity according to their designs, there is an average capacity of different types of kayaks. These different types of kayaks are used for different purposes and so they require different weight capacity.
Recreational Kayaks Limit (250 lbs to 300 lbs):
Recreational kayaks are designed for casual paddling. People choose this type of kayak for recreation. This type of kayak is used on the flat waters such as in a lake, slow-moving river or flat-water stream. They cannot be handled efficiently on open water. Windy and troublesome weather condition is not suitable for recreational kayaks.
They are beautifully designed for a day touring and have enough space in the bulkhead for storage. If you are a photographer, an angler or just a casual paddler, recreational kayaks would be a good choice for you. This type of kayak is usually 12-15 feet long and has a large cockpit so that you can easily enter or exit from the kayak.
This type of kayak has the lowest weight capacity among all types of kayaks. They can carry 250 lbs to 300 lbs weight.
Expedition or Touring Kayaks Weight Limit (350 lbs):
These types of touring kayaks are designed for multiday trips. They are just the opposite of recreational kayaks. They can be used in windy and turbulent water. They are stable even in open water and that’s why they are also known as sea kayaks.
What do you carry when you go for multiday tours? You carry lots of stuff with you. As it is for the expedition or touring, it has a large storage capacity where you can carry cooking equipment, tent, sleeping bags, various types of expedition gear etc.
This type of kayak has a decent weight capacity of 350 lbs. you will have enough room and weight capacity for your multiday trips on an expedition or touring kayaks.
Sit-on-top Kayaks Weight Limit(350 lbs to 400 lbs):
Sit on top kayaks are a perfect example for ‘lazy men’s boat’. They are perfect for beginners or children as they are very stable in the water. You can easily get in and out of the kayak. They are especially stable in calm water and they are also slower than the other kayaks.
Sit on top kayaks added stability makes them great for diving. They are user-friendly and can be great for nervous paddlers. They are usually 10-15 feet long and are generally wide and ultra stable. Their weight capacity is 350 lbs to 400 lbs.
If you are satisfy with this weight limit you may consider to see this list of top sit on top kayaks under 500$.
Tandem Kayaks Weight Limit (500 lbs to 600 lbs):
Tandem kayaks are basically for recreational purpose. They are designed for two people which enhances the fun of kayaking. These type of kayaks are designed in sit-on-top style so that two people can easily mount on it.
They are wide framed obviously to accommodate both people and so it is very stable on the water. They are usually 14 to 18 feet long and thus have the highest weight capacity which is 500 lbs to 600 lbs. This highest weight capacity makes it more popular among the paddlers.
Kayaking for big guys:
Big guys need big things, right? Or should I say the best things? Well, if you have heavier weight you seriously need to think about choosing the right kayak for you.
You cannot just go for a cheaper one. I know people love kayak especially for their cheaper rates, but still, you need to consider it.
Kayaks’ price can vary according to its weight capacity. So when you want to buy a kayak according to your weight you need to seriously ask for the right one and assess the weight capacity of the kayak. I know no-one wants to be embarrassed for his weight, especially when they are in the water.
You also need to think about the accessories and gears you are going to carry on water. The weight of your excessive gears can force you to get a bigger kayak. So consider your pieces of equipment wisely and only carry the essential ones in the kayak.
Conclusion:
Well, weight does matter in kayaking but it does not mean you have to be frustrated about it. There are various types of kayaks with different weight limits so that all types of people can try them. Your weight plays a crucial role until you are unaware of it.
The moment you learn about it, you are already aware of how to deal with the weight limit. However, the weight limit cannot stop you from kayaking, right?