Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Hello, I'm new to this forum stuff and kayak's.
I'm 6 foot 2 inches tall and weigh about 245.
I want to buy and use a kayak for mostly saltwater fishing here in SoCal. I can't really afford a brand new one and would like to be able to find one used and already rigged if possible. I'm also hoping to find one around 12 feet long and very stable.
What brand or model would you suggest that I look for for my needs?

Thanks in advance...I'm excited to started Kayaking!

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Cobra fish&dives are pretty cheap and stable. Jack

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

I would go out and test paddle different yaks before buying one. Check out OEX Mission Bay and other shops around SD if your down this far. Also check the other kayak web sites for the classified section.

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Hey thanks guys..much appreciated!
I've looked at the fish n dives and I'm leaning towards them I think.
I just haven't found one in my range yet..I'd like to be able to get one for no more than $600 rigged...I actually need to get two as my father in law wants one as well.

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

How does the Malibu X-factor stack up to the Cobra Fish n Dive?

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

The Fish n Dive is going to be like paddling a bath tub around not a fast yak and not for long distance paddling either.

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Ocean Kayak makes a line of Prowler kayaks i love alot i am 6 foot and 230 i have a prowler 13 which is nice weight capacity is what i looked for in purchasing that one it was like 475 max weight. Its sweet

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

I hear that but it seems like most are willing to compromise the speed for stability and weight capacity. Is that generally the rule:
Slow and stable or fast and squirly?

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Yes it is very stable but at the end of the day your beat up ask me how i know...

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Well, I'll guess you have owned one?
Are they really that much slower? Is it a significant difference?
Are all the "big guy" boats going to be significantly slow?
I keep saying significant because if it's only a small difference I would definitely be that guy willing to compromise speed for comfort, stability, space and load capacity.
This place is great, glad I found it before blowing my money.

Thanks!

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

I should add that I'm 6' 2 inches tall and 245lbs but I'm in decent shape (about 18% body fat) so working a little harder wont kill me either.
Are we talking 10% slower? 20%? 30%?

Thanks!

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

I always tell people who ask - you can learn stability, but ya can't learn your kayak to go much faster. :driving:

I'm a couple inches taller and a few pounds lighter, but not by much...my first kayak was a Fish & Dive & it was fine for a while...but I outgrew it pretty quickly. It's more than most kayak fishermen would ever need as far as stability. I was never that impressed with the quality of construction, the plastic seemed a little less resilient to wear and 'oil canning' etc. in the heat. It was however a great workout...which is a fancy way of saying it didn't glide all that well. And the way it slapped waves instead of cutting them could really get ya wet on a windy day.

My next kayak was a Hobie Adventure. The first time I got in that I thought I was going to fall out for sure. But it took about 2 days and it felt like the most stable kayak in the world to me...but it was a little wetter than I liked and I eventually switched to the Revo.

For your price point I'd say take a look at used Ocean Kayaks, Malibu, or Wilderness If you can find them. Also maybe try and contact one of the OEX shops and see if they have any of the factory seconds from Malibu or a deal on a used yak. The factory seconds are often cosmetic from what I understand.

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Good points and thanks for the tips

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Brokeloser: I have an Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game for sale, drop me a line, kayakfisherman73@yahoo.com

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

I think I've narrowed it down to either a Malibu X-Factor, Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game or a Cobra Fish N Dive. Let me know if you have one you want to cut loose with!

Thanks!

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/spo/2224737274.html Up your price about $100 and you can get this.
or
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/spo/2218908141.html This one seems to be in your price if it is available still.

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

If you can make it to Mission bay come test paddle. Youll likely find you dont need as big of a boat as you think.



And if you decide you do need the big boat......

I have a used FnD at OEX Mission bay for 650 with seat and paddle among with rigging (believe it has a fish finder even).

Have a few other used boats and also some killer deals on New Malibus/ Blem Malibus.

CJ
619-518-9174

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

There you go Brokeloser. Siebler would know and you can even test paddle some yaks for free.

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Iam big i like my f-n-d and end of the iam a little beat up

Re: Big guy and want to buy a kayak?
 

Malibu X-Factor for sale

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/spo/2290558049.html