kayak for a fat guy

[driftwood]

I always worry when 300 pounders take up kayak fishing.
Can you easily get back on the kayak if you flip in the middle of the ocean?

Have you gone to the bay and practiced flipping and getting back on?

[alanw]

I have no experience with 300# on a yak but in addition to the Hobie PA I might look at the Malibu Stealth 14 (550# capacity), Malibu X-Factor (625# capacity), Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game (600# capacity). I think Jackson makes a few bigger models with good weight capacity as well. These will be wide (stable) and slowish but you don't want to max out the kayak with you and gear or it might be a wet ride so look at something with plenty of reserve capacity.

[skrilla]

I'm sorry but !

Originally Posted by driftwood

[Dirtyernie]

I'd like to thank all of you that have given me your ideas on different boats. I am comfortable with my balance, but worried about getting back onto the boat if I do get flipped outside the bay. I will be taking Driftwood's advice on practicing when I get another boat this weekend. I'm looking at an older 12' Scupper Pro Dive model by Ocean Kayak. The specs say it'll carry 400 lbs and I don't mind getting wet. The reviews I've read by some other big guys have been favorable. Does anybody know if the Scupper Pro is the predecessor to the Prowler?

[Bryan Griffin]

i'm 6' 4" 270 pounds I have a hobie revo 13 it is a little tippy for me. it is easy to self rescue. i'm as new to kayaking so the tippy part could come from my inexperience. good luck.

[Kayak_Bernie]

I am an ex college FB player 6'2" and 300lbs and I have been fishing in my OK Prowler Big Game for 8 years. I've never had any problems with it, I even have a 6 gallon live well on the back. Which can sometimes make it a wet ride when you get a swell or wake from the side. I practice self rescue regularly, and I suggest that you do as well, preferably in shallow warm waters like Mission Bay. My kayak will never be the fastest boat out there, but I'll sacrifice speed for stability any day. I can paddle from LJ shores out to kelp and down to bird rock and back without much problem. I've had the kayak out in every corner of the country, and I have been in 6 foot wind swell on Lake Superior, and big swell in the Pacific NW's cold waters. The new OK big game is even more comfy and it has a few more features than the 2006 model, but I'm not trading in anytime soon. Hope this helps!!

[driftwood]

Originally Posted by skrilla

I'm sorry but !

What? you think the fat lady in the video life preserver vest on her is useless?

Do they even make life preserver vest for 300 pound guys?

[Kayak_Bernie]

Yup, I have several big guy life jackets, the one I wear right now is made by MTI and is a xxl and it fits great with even more room if need be