Yak for bigger guy

[NCfishboy]

I'm looking at getting a new yak, I have the little green scrambler and being 250+ I tend to flip that sucker a lot and its not comfortable to paddle. I use it in the ocean to paddle a couple of hundred yards out to dive wrecks. Truth be told I would rather swim 300 yards than paddle that damn thing 100 yards. So does anyone have any suggestions? Just looking for something really stable, easy to get in and out of and not looking for long trips, maybe a mile tops. With room for my fat ass and freediving gear. Here are some that I was looking at.

Cobra fish n dive
Big Yak

But I really have no clue

[Putmeincoach]

I responded to a similar thread a few weeks ago, going to copy and paste my response. Sorry if you've already seen it.


I'm a larger guy also, and I'd have to endorse the OK Prowler/Angler 15. I did a ton of research before I bought mine, I found that for anybody close to 250 lbs, there really aren't a ton of options, but that's ok, because the ones that can take your size are going to be kick ass kayaks. I have been more than pleased with my prowler 15. I bought the non-angler version and installed the rod holders and rod pod myself. The kayak itself is extremely stable, I've yet to roll it. Getting in and out is also pretty easy. It has an extremely high weight capacity, so you don't really have to worry about how much your gear weighs, and between the front hatch and the rod pod you could stowe pretty much anything. I see that you're in Jupiter, but if you find yourself in the North Miami, Fort Lauderdale area before making your decision, you're more than welcome to borrow my yak and see how you like it.
In general, I highly recommend persuing kayak spearing, it's extremely convenient.

Here is a link to a more in depth review of the same yak:
http://spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=101740

[bluesquids]

The Malibu X-factor is very popular w/ real big guys. It has to be the biggest yak on the market at 3 feet wide a foot tall and almost 15' long. It still paddles pretty good for it's size unlike the fish and dive which is a dog in the water.
Look at the Wilderness Systems 160 and OK Trident(Prowler 15-T) also. They paddle even better but just a little less payload.

[Mike Cloonan]

I'm just finishing up on my newest design, the Talon SUP. It's 12'6" x 35" x 6" (nose) 4 3/4" (cockpit). I've been spearing off my SUP's for 3+ years. Standing up, I can see so much more. Try it out sometime, it's pretty cool. I'm running right around 225 and have been on a 12'6" x32" x 4 1/2" with no problems. The Talon will handle easily up to 250+ and all your gear no problem.

Mike

http://pelagosdesign.com/

[wlkconsulting]

I may be to late...If not, here is my 2 cents...I own a Cobra "Fish n dive"..trust me when I tell you, I am a big guy..bigger than you..I dont dive out of mine however I rod and reel..Reason I dont dive out of its because were too far from blue water...However,this Yak is designed for divers...stable as hell..the best...the "fish n dive model" is the one you want to consider out of cobras other models...good luck

http://www.cobrakayaks.com

[U/C Spearo]

Cobra Marauder !!

[sriver]

the ride from wilderness systems is by far the most stable kayak for diving. It has a twin tunnel hull that grabs the water when you try to roll over. I would take one for a test ride. They just updated the model and now have a 11 and 13 footer.

[Otis Driftwood]

I'm 261lbs @ 6'2". For a very long time I used a Costco Mainstream 9' kayak. I used this for diving, crabbing and playing in the surf. It's not nearly as fast as a longer kayak, but that doesn't matter for your short paddles. you'll be on the spot by the time the other guys get there big yaks off the car and to the water. I rolled it twice, once while waiting for the crab pots just sitting there guess I was the relaxed, and once while I was surfing in with 5 collapsible traps and a limit of dungeness and 15-20 rock crabs.

[Diablo Loco]

I have either owned or tried just about all the kayaks mentioned. I now own a WS Tarpon 160. I feel it is the best kayak for diving off of, even for bigger guys. But in your case, with your weight and height, the kayak will sit too low in the water. It would not be a good one for you. No matter what you get, it should be at least 14' or longer. There is nothing that will be fast for you, but will be faster than most. The best kayak for you would be the OK Prowled 15 or the Cobra Marauder, like U/C Spearo mentioned. They are more faster and stable for someone of your size. I would recommend trying them out.

[AndyzFshn]

OK Prowler 15

[fishhunter561]

hobie makes the most stable kayaks ever! I dont have it my freind does and with 5 people on it doesnt tip only problem is there more expensive than the others

[DaveG99]

My trident 15 has a 550lbs capacity. Im 275 and it handles me and all my camping gear just fine. Plus its fast as heck and is made for rough water in the ocean. And the best part of it is that you can store everything below deck easily which makes running through the surf easier and safer.

[Rhodyhunter]

Prowler Trident 15 Angler initial review
Hello All, I just purchased a Trident 15 angler and wanted to share my review of this kayak. I was told that there might be a few people on this board that would be interested in this information. I have searched and didn’t see an all inclusive review of this product with the Spearfisherperson in mind, and thought I might give some insight into the product. Seeing as I committed to buying one.
First and foremost I will give you a brief back story leading up to the purchase. Last year, while I was sitting in the desert, I decided I was going to take up the lifestyle of spearfishing. I had dabbled with this when I lived in Rhode Island, in my youth, shooting Tatoug and stripers with friends during the summer.
My wife decided she didn’t want to live in the cold any longer so she moved all of our stuff to Miami. Great, new town, didn’t know anyone, didn’t know what the town had to offer for recreation. Except to spend a lot of money in clubs with rich twenty somethings that I have nothing in common with. So, like the man said, when dealt lemons, make lemonade. So, the idea of Spearfishing came to mind. Awesome! What better place to undertake this sport? I had heard of the clear visilibilty of the waters here. 50,60, 100ft. of visibility and warm water! I had grown up diving in water that, on a good day, would only be thirty feet max and during the height of summer would possibly approach seventy degrees.
It took me a while to find places to go out here. I had zero knowledge of the area. I didn’t have a boat. I didn’t know anyone with a boat. So I was pretty much stranded. I tried beach diving once at Miami beach solo, and I won’t do that again. I won’t dive solo. During my tenure in the middle east I had internet access and had been lurking In the shadows reading the daily entries on Spearboard trying to glean any information I could.
I had visited a few places that had been recommended to me and see what they had to offer. I found some very good yaks online, but nothing that looked like it would easily accommodate a heavy spearfisherman. I looked over the offerings of a few manufacturers and decided that the Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 would be it. I found authorized dealers online and went to go check it out. When I got there I found that nobody had the prowler 15 in stock, only the 13’s. No problem I tried to fit the guns in the 13. It worked. So, after a brief deliberation (one day) I ordered one. I got a call from the dealer a day later saying that the distributor didn’t have any in stock, so I would have to wait for another run. So, another week went by and I finally got the kayak. So here we go.
I am 6 feet 2 inches and 248 pounds. So, a shrinking violet I am not. The Ocean kayak touts itself to carry a maximum capacity of 550 pounds. It doesn’t disappoint.
The first launching was at Meade street. All my gear fit inside the kayak. The “rod Pod” facilitates my putting my 55” Wong hybrid, pole spear, mask, water, etc. A problem that I encountered with all this room is that things tend to shift. It is open from stem to stern. So if by chance any of your gear tends to shift aft under the seat, then you would be hard pressed to retrieve it under way. (this happened with my water bottle). Other than the aforementioned situation, I feel that, because of this feature, this is what nudges this model above the rest.
The weight of kayak is 60 lbs. and easily carried by one person due to the handles that come standard with the angler edition. I haven’t yet purchased the trolley, so I was required to drag it across the beach to the waters edge. This was no problem.
Again, everything, with the exception of the anchor and anchor line, which was in the rear cargo well behind the seat, was stored inside the yak, so it wasn’t able to be lost if the kayak tipped over in the surf. The surf was 1 to 3 ft. sets and with a few strokes of the paddle I was through the surf zone without incident. I didn’t have problems with the acceleration, as I have read in previous reviews( I’ll chalk it up to nervous energy or the two cups of coffee I drank before I got there) and it tracked straight. I am not going to purchase the rudder system. The molded in foot rests afforded plenty of leverage to “dig in” if need be.
We decided to go South to second reef I can’t remember how far it was but, it was at a leisurely pace. And the yak performed really well. It tracked straight didn’t take a lot of energy to keep it going. I can say that this kayak will not turn on a dime. It’s more like a battleship than a PT boat. But what it gives up in maneuverability it more than makes up in capacity and smooth ride. I might add that this is a very dry yak. You sit rather high in the saddle compared to a Hobie that I usually borrow and the bow entry carves through the chop. It is also very stable laterally. I dare say if the seas were calmer I would venture to even stand up in it. The brochure says that it is 29 inches wide. That is a plus for me being…ahem…. Big boned.
Now after we had arrived at our destination, and anchored I unbuckled the rod pod to retrieve my gun and essentials. This is when I found out that my water bottle had moved to the rear of the kayak.
Again, the stability of the yak afforded me to easily to don my fins mask and retrieve my gun from the yak. After I was set to go, I moved up from the seat to sit directly on the rod pod, It held my weight and didn’t buckle at all. I was worried about this. But it came through with flying colors.
I would like to comment about mounting and dismounting. There are some modifications I will be making to this yak. I would remove and fill in the holes to the port paddle keeper.(you can choose what side, I get on and off the yak on the port side.) I previously caught my wetsuit on a “nub” and got a small tear in my wetsuit. (I am very careful now to look out for these). So I will fill in any port side protuberances that might tear my suit.
During the time we were out there the seas had deteriorated and we were seeing a solid three foot chop with whitecaps. The visibility was crap so I decide to go in.
Getting back onto the kayak was as easy as getting off. I mounted on top of the rod pod and slid back into the seat. Easy.
It took a few moments to store everything back inside the kayak and I was ready to go.
On the way back in it really cut through the waves. (it helps when the wind is at your back) and kept momentum fairly well when you stopped paddling.
The entry to the beach was uneventful keeping the pointy end in the right direction wasn’t much trouble at all. And a quick egress and it was up on the beach. I pulled it up on the sand near to the parking lot and unloaded and cleaned the kayak to get ready to leave.
Putting the kayak up on the truck was not a chore. It took a few minutes to Tie it down and it was ready to go.
Some of the modifications I will be making to this kayak to make it more spearo friendly:
1. Remove hardware and plugs holes that may catch on wetsuit.
2. I will purchase the seat with the bag on the back to carry water and snacks.
3. I am going to fashion an anchor line system to move the fairlead of the anchor line from the bow, to amidships and vice a versa to facilitate easier deployment/retrieval
4. Fashion a dive flag holder out of a teak cylinder to make it more secure in the rod holders.(I have on attached to an old fishing rod.)

I hope this helps any potential kayak buyers out there. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

__________________
The only Easy Day was Yesterday

Pain is Weakness leaving the Body.

I posted this last year when I bought mine. Hope it helps.

[DaveG99]

thats a pretty good review.

if you want to keep stuff from rolling around you can put the stuff in a small dry bag. The rubber like material of the dry bag will keep it in place while its stowed underneath. You could also strap down a small cooler in the tank well area (area behind the seat) and have ice cold drinks waiting for you when you decide to take a drink.

I love my trident 15. Im actually about to load mine up and go bass fishing on lake grapevine here in Texas.

[Arisaka99]

Man, y'all are making me want to get a yak even more! Being that I'm 16, I have a small budget, and I live in VA Beach, so the best diving around here would be at the CBBT. That's a hike out there! I am a big guy as well, 6'4" and around 250. What would y'all recommend? I also have a thread on it in the South eastern seaboard section.

[Calif_Diver]

thats a pretty good review.

if you want to keep stuff from rolling around you can put the stuff in a small dry bag. The rubber like material of the dry bag will keep it in place while its stowed underneath. You could also strap down a small cooler in the tank well area (area behind the seat) and have ice cold drinks waiting for you when you decide to take a drink.

I love my trident 15. Im actually about to load mine up and go bass fishing on lake grapevine here in Texas.

Except the title say Prowler 15 and his report say he bought a 13:scratch:

[DaveG99]

Check craigslist for a used kayak. Not sure if you guys have these but a store called academy sports has a kayak called the perception pescador for $499 her and it's essentially a older tarpon 12 model. It's a great deal. The ocean kayak scramblers can be had fir $350-$400 on ceaigslist too. The are a but narrow fir a big guy but decent. You got to pay $1100+ for the nice big boy kayaks.

[Rhodyhunter]

Except the title say Prowler 15 and his report say he bought a 13:scratch:
Sorry for the confusion. I ordered and got the 15. The review is for the 15.

[Calif_Diver]

When I got there I found that nobody had the prowler 15 in stock, only the 13’s. No problem I tried to fit the guns in the 13. It worked. So, after a brief deliberation (one day) I ordered one. I got a call from the dealer a day later saying that the distributor didn’t have any in stock,

This is where i was confused,but you did get the 15?
I am pretty sure that is what i will buy when i buy. I liked your review either way. The 13 looked good to me but i didnt try to fit any thing inside of it,it was standing on end when i looked at it.Thanks for the review.

[Diablo Loco]

When I got there I found that nobody had the prowler 15 in stock, only the 13’s. No problem I tried to fit the guns in the 13. It worked. So, after a brief deliberation (one day) I ordered one. I got a call from the dealer a day later saying that the distributor didn’t have any in stock,

This is where i was confused,but you did get the 15?
I am pretty sure that is what i will buy when i buy. I liked your review either way. The 13 looked good to me but i didnt try to fit any thing inside of it,it was standing on end when i looked at it.Thanks for the review.

Do not buy the 13. You will wish you bought the 15. Just take your time and wait or search around a little more for the 15. You'll much happier with the decision.

[Rhodyhunter]

When I got there I found that nobody had the prowler 15 in stock, only the 13’s. No problem I tried to fit the guns in the 13. It worked. So, after a brief deliberation (one day) I ordered one. I got a call from the dealer a day later saying that the distributor didn’t have any in stock,

This is where i was confused,but you did get the 15?
I am pretty sure that is what i will buy when i buy. I liked your review either way. The 13 looked good to me but i didnt try to fit any thing inside of it,it was standing on end when i looked at it.Thanks for the review.

Yes, I got the 15. I love it. It really works well. everything fits inside for those dicey big surf portages.

[Calif_Diver]

Do not buy the 13. You will wish you bought the 15. Just take your time and wait or search around a little more for the 15. You'll much happier with the decision.

Bryan ,the king of modification,the one i saw on CL in Bakersfield does not have the rod pod on it,i think i saw some where that you can cut the center out and mount the new rod pod lid,what do you know about that. IM having a hard time just not buying it the way it is,or is the mold different then the angler model.

[tsutton]

I'm following this post with interest as I'm a big guy, and am looking to buy a kayak for next spring. I had read somewhere that the Prowlers had been discontinued? but I still see them on the Ocean Kayak site. However, I also read that Ocean Kayak had re-issued / modified the Prowler 13 as an exclusive kayak to Bass Pro Shops, and it is being marketed as the "Endeavor" (says Ocean Kayak right on it too. I went into a Bass Pro last week and saw it there. Price is $699 ... seems like a good deal. Any thoughts or input on this? http://www.basspro.com/Ocean-Kayak-Endeavor-Kayak/product/10210335/107636

[Diablo Loco]

I'm following this post with interest as I'm a big guy, and am looking to buy a kayak for next spring. I had read somewhere that the Prowlers had been discontinued? but I still see them on the Ocean Kayak site. However, I also read that Ocean Kayak had re-issued / modified the Prowler 13 as an exclusive kayak to Bass Pro Shops, and it is being marketed as the "Endeavor" (says Ocean Kayak right on it too. I went into a Bass Pro last week and saw it there. Price is $699 ... seems like a good deal. Any thoughts or input on this? http://www.basspro.com/Ocean-Kayak-Endeavor-Kayak/product/10210335/107636

The Prowler is a great kayak, especially for bigger guys. Do not buy a 13, as I have stated previously. Get the 15 or you will regret it later. You will wish you had spent the extra $$$$ for one. :toast:

[alangat]

Check out the Malibu X-factor - I think that will meet all your needs

[Rinaldo]

I have two, an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 and a Prowler big game. The prowler 13 is faster, while the Big game is so wide I feel I can stand in it. I prefer the Prowler for paddling out to dive off of, and the big game for fishing off of, as it is a little more stable and I can fight a large fish without worrying about tipping.

Both can carry 500 pounds, so you don't have to worry about weight issues. Both can be purchased used for less than half of what a new yak will cost you. I can't recommend the two more!

[hammerhead786]

Cobra fish & Dive is the all around best Kayak for Anyone over 220lbs.

[Diablo Loco]

Cobra fish & Dive is the all around best Kayak for Anyone over 220lbs.

Maybe for scuba, but not freediving. It is 36" wide, which will be stable as all hell, especially with a bunch of scuba gear, or even fishing gear, but it will be a slow tug boat in the water. Only thing its really good for is stability. For freediving, you need a kayak that is 30" wide or less for speed and tracking. Still a nice kayak though. :thumps:

I was 250+ lbs and now have lost some weight and I am 5' 7". I use a Tarpon 160, which is 28" wide and do not have really any issues with stability.

[hammerhead786]

You know I've heard that slow comment on forums and on the beach for years. Usually right before I paddle by a bunch of kayak authorities who never dove with me before. I'm no Olympic paddler either. The kayak isn't slow at all. It's so far from being a "tug boat" in the water I can't believe you made that comment. Have you ever paddled one before? If you are a weak paddler maybe... If you're a big guy you should have decent paddling strength. I paddle out 1.5 miles to dive with minimal effort with a steel 120 or LP 121, pony bottle, gear, etc and get there about the same as I do on my Scupper Pro give or take a minute or two. The scupper is so weighted down with all that it looks like a U boat. I have several thousand ocean dives off a kayak. I've had a lot of kayaks over the years and i've tried several one's I didn't own. I had a Tarpon and I liked it but had hatch issues with mine.

It's like another common comment I've heard many times, "doesn't track well" Translation ---> operator doesn't know how to paddle for shit...

It's a silly analogy anyway. It's a kayak... Let's estimate very high and say you could paddle 1mph faster with the same effort on a different kayak. Is that really going to make a difference? Did you take up kayak diving to race out to the fishing grounds? I free dive off my Cobra all the time and I pull it while snorkeling like it's not even there. It glides effortlessly through the water. I pull it during 130' scuba dives spearfishing too and it's not a problem. I also stand up paddle it and stand up cast/fish off it. The problem with the Internet is it's filled with misinformation. The Cobra is one great, stable, fast, kayak for free diving, spearing and fishing. Is it a scupper pro, no. It's for big guys and/or heavy gear.

I just paddled mine against a 15+ KT head wind the other day .5 miles in to shore with a LP 121, 6 lobster and 20lbs of fish + my gun, fish finder & battery, no problems with speed or tracking.

All I can say to potential buyers is try and find the models you're researching and paddle them. If you went by what was said about the Cobra Fish & Dive from the internet you'd be missing out on a great kayak. For the money potentially one of the best models ever made. Diablo it's all good my friend. To each his own. :thumps: :toast:

[Diablo Loco]

You know I've heard that slow comment on forums and on the beach for years. Usually right before I paddle by a bunch of kayak authorities who never dove with me before. I'm no Olympic paddler either. The kayak isn't slow at all. It's so far from being a "tug boat" in the water I can't believe you made that comment. Have you ever paddled one before? If you are a weak paddler maybe... If you're a big guy you should have decent paddling strength. I paddle out 1.5 miles to dive with minimal effort with a steel 120 or LP 121, pony bottle, gear, etc and get there about the same as I do on my Scupper Pro give or take a minute or two. The scupper is so weighted down with all that it looks like a U boat. I have several thousand ocean dives off a kayak. I've had a lot of kayaks over the years and i've tried several one's I didn't own. I had a Tarpon and I liked it but had hatch issues with mine.

It's like another common comment I've heard many times, "doesn't track well" Translation ---> operator doesn't know how to paddle for shit...

It's a silly analogy anyway. It's a kayak... Let's estimate very high and say you could paddle 1mph faster with the same effort on a different kayak. Is that really going to make a difference? Did you take up kayak diving to race out to the fishing grounds? I free dive off my Cobra all the time and I pull it while snorkeling like it's not even there. It glides effortlessly through the water. I pull it during 130' scuba dives spearfishing too and it's not a problem. I also stand up paddle it and stand up cast/fish off it. The problem with the Internet is it's filled with misinformation. The Cobra is one great, stable, fast, kayak for free diving, spearing and fishing. Is it a scupper pro, no. It's for big guys and/or heavy gear.

I just paddled mine against a 15+ KT head wind the other day .5 miles in to shore with a LP 121, 6 lobster and 20lbs of fish + my gun, fish finder & battery, no problems with speed or tracking.

All I can say to potential buyers is try and find the models you're researching and paddle them. If you went by what was said about the Cobra Fish & Dive from the internet you'd be missing out on a great kayak. For the money potentially one of the best models ever made. Diablo it's all good my friend. To each his own. :thumps: :toast:

As the saying goes, "Opinions very." :thumps::toast:

[Topcat333]

I am 6'2 220lbs and use a Hobie Mirage 2 person. Yes they are expensive but I get to take up to 2 tanks, all my dive and free dive gear, and a mid size cooler. no fuss getting in and out and the mirage drive is the shit! on a calm day I can cruse loaded at 2.5 knots with little effort & 4 knots with a bit of a leg workout.