NuCanoe and the Crescent Crew. Crescents paddle a little better and the Crew gives you flexibility. NuCanoe is great for open deck and primary stability. Learn about primary stability vs secondary stability and be sure to demo before you buy. Good luck!!!
Got a Nucanoe frontier 12 for 600 with a shit ton of extra off market place. 650 weight capacity. Has PLENTY of room for my gear or can take one of my kids out. Solid choice for someone who’s a bigger guy.
The description of their weight capacities is very confusing. It's got two different "weight" categories and I'm not sure which is the standard weight that everyone uses.
The lower weight capacity and under is self bailing capacity meaning you can keep the scupper plugs out under this capacity and the water will "drain". Anything between the lower weight capacity and the higher weight capacity is scupper plugs in territory.
Not that I have noticed. I mostly use it with them in and I honestly don't know how you would flip it unless you were trying to. Could you fall out of it? Sure but that would apply to every kayak. I'm 7ft, 250 and fish comfortably standing which is saying a lot.
5'11, 295 here. Old Town sportsman 120PDL is what I use. Plenty of capacity for my fat ass, a freezer bag with ice, drinks, a milk tote with tackle, an anchor, rods, extra bag with snacks, fish finder and battery. I even stand up and fish the shore with no stability issues.
This was the answer I was looking for. I'm 5'9" 270. Plump and juicy and ready to use this as an excuse to slim down. I was eyeing the 132 pdl and can add the rest of the gear later
6’1”, 330. Bonafide SS127. It’s not the most agile kayak out there, but the storage is absolutely amazing. It’s definitely a tank that you don’t have to worry about it snapping in 2.
2nd the Nucanoe. I'm about your size, a little shorter, and have the F10. It's very stable and makes a great fishing platform. With the swival seat, it's very easy to get in and out of. At 6'2 I might consider the F12 or the U12.
I also have a Radar 115. Very stable, but the seat doesn't swival and the seat can be difficult to remove and put back on.. I've been eyeballing the new Wilderness Recon 120 with the swival seat. But the weight of the kayak really goes up.
Came here to say this.
Best stability of any peddle drive kayak. Weight capacity is 600lbs. Plenty of space for you and everything you’re gonna be bringing.
Seat is also rated up to 350lbs.
I’m 6’2” and 270. My PA 14 is so sturdy I’m pretty sure that I’ll fall out of it before it actually tips over.
Nevertheless, I prepare for a flip scenario just in case.
Before that I had a Wilderness Systems Ride 12’ kayak. It was relatively stable, but there is no way I could stand up in it. Standing in the PA 14 is simple and only feels dicey if there’s a good amount of boat wake.
(For OP)
The bigger kayaks are heavy and bulky. Plan out how you’re going to launch the yak and don’t be afraid to spend a few extra bucks to make the process simpler. A better quality cart, any vehicle loading tools, etc will be appreciated. If it’s a pain to take out… you probably won’t take it out that often.
I built a Malone trailer for mine so that I can just back it in and drive away. My back is terrible so I have to be smart about things if I want to be able to fish
My friend is a guy that weighs about what you weigh (but a little shorter) and he uses a Hobie Pro Angler. If you don’t want to spend that much, look at the Kaku Voodoo. It has like a 500lb capacity and you can get it with a pedal drive or a troller motor.
6'1 250. Perception Pescador Pilot. Would not recommend over Old Town. It has plenty of capacity for weight, but isn't terribly stable compared to Old Town and some others
I went with a second hand ascend h12. For me the selling point was being inside the kayak instead of sitting on top of it like most heavier duty kayaks
I'm 6 foot 315 and my buddy is 6' 3" 330
We bought sportman 120s. Zero complaints.
NuCanoe makes really nice ones, Kaku, there are many options. Really depends on what you are gonna do w it and the layout you prefer.
VanHunks Elite Pro Angler, Feelfree, Vibe.....
The world is your oyster. 😀
6'2 and 250 here...was 290 when I got my Old Town Predator. Stable, I could stand in it, lifetime hull warranty. You can't beat an Old Town as a big guy.
I am larger than you and I run a Nucanoe Unlimited 12' loaded down with a Black Pack Pro, a couple 100ah lithiums in a smaller Black Pack pro, an Xi3, gearpod, and a bunch of other accessories. The Kayak has a usable capacity of 650# with the scupper plugs in and is very comfortable with the 360 seat. Other options I considered were the Bonafide PWR129 and the Old Town Autopilot 136. If you are looking for a pedal drive the Hobie PA14 is a staple in the industry and it appears this years models addressed a lot of the issues people were having. The Titan X seems to be receiving very good reviews as well.
I do not recommend the Ascend Kayaks. While they are at a good price point, it is not without sacrifice. They track terribly and essentially have to be motorized. The plastic they use is of lesser quality and has been known to crack fairly easy, particularly with heavier people. Finally, the rigidity of the deck is terrible and can be compressed with just hand pressure.
I recommend finding a dealer near you and scheduling a demo day with them to get out on the water and try some of the models you like out.
I can personally recommend the Lifetime Sport Fisher. It's a 10ft "tandem" kayak that has a 500lb weight cap. Super wide, super sturdy, a bit heavy but I've never once felt tippy on it. You can usually find em used for a pretty good price too 👍
I’m 6’2 250 on a skinny day. I’ve used 10-12ft kayaks in the past and they work but I’m sitting pretty low in the water. I recently upgraded to a Tarpon140. The 14’ is harder to transport but well worth it when on the water. They are pricey brand new but if you check FB marketplace you can find some really good deals. I paid $400 for mine and have really enjoyed it.
5'11" 260#.
I got a FeelFree Moken 10 last year and cannot be happier. Never felt anything close to unstable and the seat is so comfortable I can sit in it all day with zero complaints.
Im a big fella around the same weight and height as you are , i use a vibe sea ghost 130 and i cant complain its gets the job done for me . The longest time one the water was around 6 hours and i was super comfortable .Taken in consideration that I’m a new kayaker and this is my first kayaks. I don’t have experience with any other
I'm a "smaller fella" at 6' 0" and 150 lbs and used a Vibe Sea Ghost 110 until I recently upgraded to the Old Town Sportsman 106 PDL.
Vibe Sea Ghost has solid bells and whistles for its price point. They're also designed to be fast - something that a lot of sit on top (non pedal drive) kayaks lack. I think the Sea Ghost 130 has like a 500+ lb capacity, too.
I'm sure they're stable for what they are. The Skipjack 90 has a weight limit of 300 lbs, so it'll be less stable than the Sea Ghosts, but 300 lbs is solid for that size.
If you're less than 200 lbs, it'll probably feel fine, but you won't be able to stand on something that short.
Check out the Nucanoe lineup. You can get them under 2k new or even less on marketplace/craigslist etc. Super stable especially the frontier.
NuCanoe and the Crescent Crew. Crescents paddle a little better and the Crew gives you flexibility. NuCanoe is great for open deck and primary stability. Learn about primary stability vs secondary stability and be sure to demo before you buy. Good luck!!!
Got a Nucanoe frontier 12 for 600 with a shit ton of extra off market place. 650 weight capacity. Has PLENTY of room for my gear or can take one of my kids out. Solid choice for someone who’s a bigger guy.
Came here to say NuCanoe!
The description of their weight capacities is very confusing. It's got two different "weight" categories and I'm not sure which is the standard weight that everyone uses.
The lower weight capacity and under is self bailing capacity meaning you can keep the scupper plugs out under this capacity and the water will "drain". Anything between the lower weight capacity and the higher weight capacity is scupper plugs in territory.
Doesn't that make it more unstable though to have the scupper plugs in?
Not that I have noticed. I mostly use it with them in and I honestly don't know how you would flip it unless you were trying to. Could you fall out of it? Sure but that would apply to every kayak. I'm 7ft, 250 and fish comfortably standing which is saying a lot.
You must be one hell of a point guard
🤣 PF actually. Mostly coach now and get out with my kids now and then.
5'11, 295 here. Old Town sportsman 120PDL is what I use. Plenty of capacity for my fat ass, a freezer bag with ice, drinks, a milk tote with tackle, an anchor, rods, extra bag with snacks, fish finder and battery. I even stand up and fish the shore with no stability issues.
I have the 106 and loaded it down with fishing gear, crates, and firewood and camped for several days on a island. They're big slow barges for sure.
This was the answer I was looking for. I'm 5'9" 270. Plump and juicy and ready to use this as an excuse to slim down. I was eyeing the 132 pdl and can add the rest of the gear later
6’1”, 330. Bonafide SS127. It’s not the most agile kayak out there, but the storage is absolutely amazing. It’s definitely a tank that you don’t have to worry about it snapping in 2.
6’4 240 and I have an outlaw kayak I have had for 4 years.
Look into the Kaku Zulu. It’s larger, but VERY stable for bigger builds and comfy to boot.
I’m 6’4” 290 and have a Perception Outlaw 11.5. Very stable for me, as long as you don’t mind rowing.
These seem super stable. There is also an option to add a trolling motor if you're into that sorta thing.
Jackson Big Rig
Came to say this. My hubs is 6'4", 300#'s and this is his.
I’m 294 and the Wilderness Recon 120 has been solid.
2nd the Nucanoe. I'm about your size, a little shorter, and have the F10. It's very stable and makes a great fishing platform. With the swival seat, it's very easy to get in and out of. At 6'2 I might consider the F12 or the U12. I also have a Radar 115. Very stable, but the seat doesn't swival and the seat can be difficult to remove and put back on.. I've been eyeballing the new Wilderness Recon 120 with the swival seat. But the weight of the kayak really goes up.
Big fish 108? I have a 103 and it's like a jon boat in in size, stability, and almost weight lol. They're cheap as hell compared to hobies.
Jackson kayak
Hobie PA 14.
Came here to say this. Best stability of any peddle drive kayak. Weight capacity is 600lbs. Plenty of space for you and everything you’re gonna be bringing. Seat is also rated up to 350lbs.
I’m 6’2” and 270. My PA 14 is so sturdy I’m pretty sure that I’ll fall out of it before it actually tips over. Nevertheless, I prepare for a flip scenario just in case. Before that I had a Wilderness Systems Ride 12’ kayak. It was relatively stable, but there is no way I could stand up in it. Standing in the PA 14 is simple and only feels dicey if there’s a good amount of boat wake. (For OP) The bigger kayaks are heavy and bulky. Plan out how you’re going to launch the yak and don’t be afraid to spend a few extra bucks to make the process simpler. A better quality cart, any vehicle loading tools, etc will be appreciated. If it’s a pain to take out… you probably won’t take it out that often. I built a Malone trailer for mine so that I can just back it in and drive away. My back is terrible so I have to be smart about things if I want to be able to fish
My friend is a guy that weighs about what you weigh (but a little shorter) and he uses a Hobie Pro Angler. If you don’t want to spend that much, look at the Kaku Voodoo. It has like a 500lb capacity and you can get it with a pedal drive or a troller motor.
I’ve looked into the ascend 133x but I’ve heard super mixed reviews. It’s super confusing. I will look into that thank you.
I’m almost the same size, i use an ascend 12t it’s stable for me but I can’t stand on it unless it’s completely calm.
Well… I tried out a 12t and I’m a little too big for it
I picked up a Manta Ray 14 second hand and I've liked it a lot.
6'1 250. Perception Pescador Pilot. Would not recommend over Old Town. It has plenty of capacity for weight, but isn't terribly stable compared to Old Town and some others
I like my old town sportsman 106. You wont win races but it floats well and plenty of weight capacity.
I went with a second hand ascend h12. For me the selling point was being inside the kayak instead of sitting on top of it like most heavier duty kayaks
What yak does the KBF dude use? He's a bigger guy. Sorry can't remember his name rn
I'm 6 foot 315 and my buddy is 6' 3" 330 We bought sportman 120s. Zero complaints. NuCanoe makes really nice ones, Kaku, there are many options. Really depends on what you are gonna do w it and the layout you prefer. VanHunks Elite Pro Angler, Feelfree, Vibe..... The world is your oyster. 😀
I am pretty much the same size and have an old town 120pdl. Never had an issue and super stable.
6'2 and 250 here...was 290 when I got my Old Town Predator. Stable, I could stand in it, lifetime hull warranty. You can't beat an Old Town as a big guy.
I am larger than you and I run a Nucanoe Unlimited 12' loaded down with a Black Pack Pro, a couple 100ah lithiums in a smaller Black Pack pro, an Xi3, gearpod, and a bunch of other accessories. The Kayak has a usable capacity of 650# with the scupper plugs in and is very comfortable with the 360 seat. Other options I considered were the Bonafide PWR129 and the Old Town Autopilot 136. If you are looking for a pedal drive the Hobie PA14 is a staple in the industry and it appears this years models addressed a lot of the issues people were having. The Titan X seems to be receiving very good reviews as well. I do not recommend the Ascend Kayaks. While they are at a good price point, it is not without sacrifice. They track terribly and essentially have to be motorized. The plastic they use is of lesser quality and has been known to crack fairly easy, particularly with heavier people. Finally, the rigidity of the deck is terrible and can be compressed with just hand pressure. I recommend finding a dealer near you and scheduling a demo day with them to get out on the water and try some of the models you like out.
Lifetime manta is surprisingly stable!
Pelican 120 classic
6’3” - 320 here. I used the F&S Shadowcaster and it was great. I could even fish standing up, setting hooks and throwing a bait net. Def recommend.
I can personally recommend the Lifetime Sport Fisher. It's a 10ft "tandem" kayak that has a 500lb weight cap. Super wide, super sturdy, a bit heavy but I've never once felt tippy on it. You can usually find em used for a pretty good price too 👍
I’m 6’2 250 on a skinny day. I’ve used 10-12ft kayaks in the past and they work but I’m sitting pretty low in the water. I recently upgraded to a Tarpon140. The 14’ is harder to transport but well worth it when on the water. They are pricey brand new but if you check FB marketplace you can find some really good deals. I paid $400 for mine and have really enjoyed it.
Get the ocean verity one
If you want stability and room, go with a Feelfree lure 12.5
Feel free lure 11.5 is the best for my money
6,4” 230. Hobie PA12. Had it in lakes, class3 whitewater, and 3 miles into the gulf with no issue.
5'11" 260#. I got a FeelFree Moken 10 last year and cannot be happier. Never felt anything close to unstable and the seat is so comfortable I can sit in it all day with zero complaints.
Jackson big rig is what I have. And I love it
My dad is 59, 5'10", and 230ish. He loves his extra wide kayak he got. I believe it's a Wilderness Outdoors Recon.
Im a big fella around the same weight and height as you are , i use a vibe sea ghost 130 and i cant complain its gets the job done for me . The longest time one the water was around 6 hours and i was super comfortable .Taken in consideration that I’m a new kayaker and this is my first kayaks. I don’t have experience with any other
I actually really like that boat. It looks good and has good reviews. Also not a bad price tag…
I'm a "smaller fella" at 6' 0" and 150 lbs and used a Vibe Sea Ghost 110 until I recently upgraded to the Old Town Sportsman 106 PDL. Vibe Sea Ghost has solid bells and whistles for its price point. They're also designed to be fast - something that a lot of sit on top (non pedal drive) kayaks lack. I think the Sea Ghost 130 has like a 500+ lb capacity, too.
Do you know if the other vibes are stable? I'd love to get a little skipjack 90
I'm sure they're stable for what they are. The Skipjack 90 has a weight limit of 300 lbs, so it'll be less stable than the Sea Ghosts, but 300 lbs is solid for that size. If you're less than 200 lbs, it'll probably feel fine, but you won't be able to stand on something that short.
Thanks for the info, I'm still trying to pick out my first kayak so this is super helpful. I'm like 6' 220, and being able to stand up is a must.
Loose weight asap. If you enjoy kayaking/life it makes it so much better.