As an overweight guy, I've tried all sorts of physical activities to have fun and lose some weight at the same time. But few other activities offer both benefits as kayaking does. However, if you've ever gone shopping for a kayak, you know that it's hard to find ideal models for heavier people. Most people dismiss it as a pastime for slim athletes. But that's not entirely true. There are great kayak models that are meant for us heavier users. And today, I'd like to share the best plus size Kayaks (400lb Capacity)
The best thing about kayaking is that it can be a low-impact or an intensive activity based on your choice. So, that means you can work on your strength, aerobic fitness, or even flexibility. It’s a great way of increasing upper body strength. Also, there’s always a marked improvement in cardiovascular health. The peaceful tour of your watery surroundings is an added plus to all of this.
My search for the best heavy-duty kayaks began several years ago. I picked up the hobby but had difficulty finding kayaks that could support my weight. With years of kayaking now, I’m glad to share this list of the best plus size kayaks in the market today.
Best Heavy Duty Kayak 400lb Capacity:
- Sea Eagle SE330 Inflatable Sports Kayak 500 Lb Capacity
- Wilderness Systems Aspire 105
- Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K 140
- Perception Pescador Pro 12
- Pelican Sit-on-top Fishing Kayak
Sea Eagle SE330 Inflatable Sports Kayak - Best Inflatable Kayak
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Kayaks differ in make, features, and quality depending on their intended use. The Sea Eagle SE330 is undoubtedly the best in the inflatable category. So, you can easily carry the kayak around as you scout or look for kayaking routes. With inflatable kayaks, you also get more width, which means, more stability. So, it's harder for the kayak to tip over or capsize while moving.
The Sea Eagle SE330 measures 11’2’’ x 34’’ on the outside. Additionally, the interiors measure about 9’6’’ x 15’’. The diameter of the tube is around 10’’. The kayak's hull weight is about 26lbs. This load makes it one of the most lightweight kayaks around. Along with the stable width, it's a great choice for paddlers who're just starting out. The material is Polykrylar, and the seam is held together by a high-frequency weld.
Wide inflatable kayaks are a great choice for beginners because they’re really convenient and safer. However, the Sea Eagle SE330 also has a whitewater rating of Class 3. So, this means even experienced users can use it for moderate rapids. But if you're a beginner paddler, I would suggest staying away from river rapids for now. Either way, it’s the convenience and portability that make it stand out.
Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 - Best Recreational Kayak 400 Lb Capacity
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As a heavy guy, my kayaking began on slow and flatwater bodies. Recreational Kayaking, as it's called, is incredibly peaceful and easy to learn. So, it's a great starting point for those who are new to this activity. And the Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 gives you an unparalleled experience in this type of relaxing kayaking.
The Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 measures 10'6'' x 29''. It has a heavy-duty capacity of 400lbs, and the kayak weighs about 48lbs. It has a spacious cockpit with an Airpro seating design. So, you get full comfort and relaxation even as you paddle your way down flat waters. You get a storage hatch in the back that keeps water out. Also, the adjustable skeg control gives helps you navigate easily. Additionally, it comes with a sidelock Footbrace system in the front and a replaceable skid plate in the back.
Navigating the rapids is not for everyone, especially if you're just starting out. Suppose you'd rather be a casual paddler enjoying the sights and sounds of a calm river, this one's for you. The Wilderness Systems Aspire is unmatched in maneuvering and ease-of-use. So, if you're a beginner confused about where to start, this kayak is the perfect starter choice.
Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K 140 - Best Kayak for Angling
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This one's a personal favorite for me because it brings together two activities I really enjoy – kayaking and angling. When I say angling, I mean the treasured art of fishing with a rod for a good catch. While especially useful for angling, this kayak is still a versatile unit. I say that because I've used it for recreational paddling, and it worked great there too.
The Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K 140 has a flex pod that can hold your battery, fish finder, or transducer. The Airpro seating gives you full adjustability and mesh fabric for extra comfort. Also, the mounting bases allow you to store and organize your accessories in different ways. Furthermore, the easy-access storage can hold your beverage, tackles, and tools. The low-profile makes the kayak more stable, walkable, and nimble.
The A.T.A.K. 140 is essentially an open design that can serve any angling need and situation. It's the ultimate angling kayak by any standards if you ask me. But you can still use it for gliding flat and slower waters. However, if you’re a fan of fishing on kayaks, I’d suggest you take a look at the next item too.
Perception Pescador Pro 12 - Best Kayak for extra Storage
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Fishing and angling techniques can differ from person to person. Some people use more accessories while others rely more on technique. If your style involves more equipment, you can’t go beyond the Perception Pescador Pro 12 for storage space. Assuming you don’t need a lot of dry storage, this one provides all the space you need.
The kayak measures roughly 12’ x 32’’, which is an ideal size for easy navigation. The Pro seat is adjustable in two positions depending on your requirement. It's also removable, so you can set it up on the kayak or by the river bank. There are large storage spaces located in both the front and the back. You get two rod-holders for convenience. Moreover, the fish-finder console and gear tracks make it that much easier to fish. Finally, the skid plate allows you to move your kayak around without damaging the surface.
The Perception Pescador Pro 12 is incredibly useful as a fishing kayak or recreational kayak. But no doubt, the stand out feature is the storage compartments you get. It’s just much easier to take and carry a lot more stuff on this kayak. Granted, the storage is an open design. But you can still hold a lot of your equipment there if that’s a priority. If you'd still want some storage space, but as a locked hatch, you can check out the features of the next item.
Pelican Sit-on-top Fishing Kayak - Most Versatile Kayak
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The Pelican Sit-on-top Fishing Kayak is primarily a fishing unit. But its features are so great that it’s usable for any other basic kayaking. While the other kayaks here have specialized benefits, this one can do almost everything. For any heavy-duty kayaking, if you can’t settle on an option, this one’s always a safe bet.
The open cockpit makes it easy to climb on and off the kayak. Also, it has two carriers (retractable) that make it lighter and easy to move around. Moreover, you get extra stability with the Multi-Chine flat hull. You get a quick-lock hatch as well as a storage platform. So, there’s all the space you’ll need to take any equipment or belongings. For the fishing fans, it has a swivel rod holder, flush mount rod holders, and angler ruler. The padded cushion makes it really comfortable to sit on. And it has a paddle holder to keep oars in place when you’re not moving around.
The Pelican Sit-on-top Kayak is great at agility, speed, stability, and tracking. These qualities make it a great kayak for fishing. But they also make it an ideal choice for any other recreational kayaking. The materials and hydrodynamics also make it great for fast and efficient movement. It’s essentially an all-in-one-kayak that can fit into anyone’s requirement.
Conclusion
Kayaking has been the number one source of leisure and aerobics for several years now. And it has taken some time for me to try out different products to see which one’s best. Getting the right kayak for your needs is a crucial part of doing it well. You may not have found these heavy-duty ten years back. But today, they’re as easily available as any other kayak online. So, you would be missing out if you didn’t give them a try.
Each of these kayaks has been able to support my weight along with 60-70lbs of equipment and carry-ons. Now, if they can hold up that kind of weight, they can easily hold up your weight too. I’m sharing this information freely to you with the hope that you’ll try out at least one product here. That way, you don’t have to try them all out before choosing a preference.
They worked for a heavy guy like me. That implies that they’’ surely work for you. But I highly suggest that you don’t just take my word for it. Go ahead and try one kayak here. I suspect you’ll be presently surprised.