I am a big guy, 6'8 320 lbs, and want to get into kayaking. I am looking at a few differnt types of boats. I have always liked Old Town, and their store is 20 min away from my cabin up in Maine. However, earlier this week I looked at some of the Perception Kayaks, Acadia 12.5 and Sundance 12.0, and they seem fairly nice. How would peole rate these against an Old Town Loon 138, or Nantucket.
I am also looking for PFD's for big sizes 54in chest, and paddles on the cheap, I am putting myself through grad school,and dont have any money, but want to kayak this summer. Thanks for all the help in advance, and I am glad that there is a resource for all of us here.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted:09:44:53 05/12/04 Wed
I'm 6'2, 268 lbs, and I got the Old Town Adventure XL 139 last year, and I love it. It was by far the most comfortable fitting boat in my price range and it's very stable. I haven't taken it on really large bodies of water yet-so I'm not sure about performance, I believe Wes wrote somewhere that it tends to swamp- so take that into consideration as a possibility. This boat was recommended to me as a beginner boat and I'm very pleased with it-especially since I didn't have to spend a ton. My chest is 52 and my Lotus Designs fits great. Hope this helps. If you need any more info let me know.
>Hello everyone,
>
>I am a big guy, 6'8 320 lbs, and want to get into
>kayaking. I am looking at a few differnt types of
>boats. I have always liked Old Town, and their store
>is 20 min away from my cabin up in Maine. However,
>earlier this week I looked at some of the Perception
>Kayaks, Acadia 12.5 and Sundance 12.0, and they seem
>fairly nice. How would peole rate these against an
>Old Town Loon 138, or Nantucket.
>I am also looking for PFD's for big sizes 54in chest,
>and paddles on the cheap, I am putting myself through
>grad school,and dont have any money, but want to kayak
>this summer. Thanks for all the help in advance, and
>I am glad that there is a resource for all of us here.
Date Posted:15:43:18 05/13/04 Thu
>Hello everyone,
>
>I am a big guy, 6'8 320 lbs, and want to get into
>kayaking. I am looking at a few differnt types of
>boats. I have always liked Old Town, and their store
>is 20 min away from my cabin up in Maine. However,
>earlier this week I looked at some of the Perception
>Kayaks, Acadia 12.5 and Sundance 12.0, and they seem
>fairly nice. How would peole rate these against an
>Old Town Loon 138, or Nantucket.
With your height -- and your weight -- I think you're going to want something bigger than the Acadia or Sundance. The Loon 138 is a good place to start, but so are the Nantucket or the Adventure 139 -- just make sure you can fit in the cockpit by trying it on! At 6-8, you want to make darn sure there's room for your legs.
>I am also looking for PFD's for big sizes 54in chest,
>and paddles on the cheap, I am putting myself through
>grad school,and dont have any money, but want to kayak
>this summer. Thanks for all the help in advance, and
>I am glad that there is a resource for all of us here.
Big PFDs are a little hard to find. Try Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop websites, they make them up to like 7x. You might also try West Marine. The back of the PFD is going to interfere with the seat back a little. Paddles -- you can buy them in the $30-$40 range, but those aren't too good.
Date Posted:17:30:40 08/04/04 Wed
I'm in the market for 2 kayaks for my family. I'm 5'10" and 265 lbs but the wife is a petite 5' 110 lbs and 9 yr old son (and growing) 59 lbs. Wife and son fit into anything and paddle w/ ease...While on vaca I rented a wilderness systems pungo 140 for myself and we all paddled around Lake George, NY with ease...But need help looking for a purchase: 2 kayaks (or maybe 3?)one a tandem (can be used solo - is this realistic?)? Under $1000 or so for all? Going crazy with all info on internet before driving around to try them out. Help please.
Date Posted:10:34:18 10/05/04 Tue
I got into kayaking a couple of summers ago. Being 6' and 260lbs I had a good look around first, and settled on an Acadia 12.5 for my first boat. Very stable, good to learn on and most importantly I can get in and out (planned and unplanned) with ease. Light to carry and car-top too.
I am also now looking at a second-hand Captiva (replaced by/as the Carolina 16) which gets mixed write-ups, but I am keen to find out for myself. Has similar width and cockpit dimensions to the Acadia so I know I will fit, but is a bigger boat with better touring options.
Date Posted:10:26:21 10/21/04 Thu
Bill, I bought a well-used(had been a rental for a year or two) Captiva as my first boat eighteen months ago, and love it.
I'm 6'4" and 250 pounds and have plenty of room.
Since the name, at least, is an orphan (Perception now sells the same boat as the Carolina 16), I'd think you shouldn't pay more than four to six hundred bucks for a used Captiva, depending on condition.
But of course, paddle it(or go to a dealer and paddle a Carolina 16) before you buy--it's no bargain if it doesn't "feel" right for you, or if you really want a faster or more agile boat.
Don Shively
>Hello everyone,
>
>I am a big guy, 6'8 320 lbs, and want to get into
>kayaking. I am looking at a few differnt types of
>boats. I have always liked Old Town, and their store
>is 20 min away from my cabin up in Maine. However,
>earlier this week I looked at some of the Perception
>Kayaks, Acadia 12.5 and Sundance 12.0, and they seem
>fairly nice. How would peole rate these against an
>Old Town Loon 138, or Nantucket.
>I am also looking for PFD's for big sizes 54in chest,
>and paddles on the cheap, I am putting myself through
>grad school,and dont have any money, but want to kayak
>this summer. Thanks for all the help in advance, and
>I am glad that there is a resource for all of us here.
Date Posted:09:35:52 11/01/04 Mon
An update - I bought the Captiva mid last week, and managed to get out on the river on Sunday. It is an American import, in excellent condition, about 3 years old. I think I got a good deal Don, at £250 (roughly $430) in full expedition spec plus rudder (the rudder alone here is a £100 cost option).
We get a very limited range of Perception boats in the UK, certainly I had not even heard of the Captiva until told of this second hand one recently (the boat I have bought) and the only Carolina model sold is the 14.5, so I had no opportunity to try other boats first. It is a great boat though - I managed six or seven miles getting used to it, and although surprised that I have less room than in the Acadia (largely the result of having thigh braces which the Acadia does not, although foot room also feels a little more limited), I soon felt very at home and had a great mornings paddle. It is a little cumbersome, but felt great on the water, so I am very pleased.
New to kayaking
Re: New to kayaking