Kayaks with the highest weight capacity on the market

Hobie tandem oasis...550lb...super dry ride...super stable....w/turbo fins easily manageable solo....I put both my kids in the front and pedal all day long...not mention tons of space when traveling solo...

Now from what i have come across for the research part of all these yaks is that you aren't getting a bang for your buck factor with Hobie... you are getting a good kayak but you are paying out the rear for it. I am not willing to spend that much nor do i really have the available funds to make something like that happen. there are (in my opinion) better looking yaks for about half the price. I think that if I weighed about half of what i do now i would definitely consider saving up to get one of those rigs but it almost seems like those are made for the smaller guys. just off of what i have gathered from my research and looking at the designs of some of these yaks.

With Hobie, you are paying the extra for the ability to peddal & paddle.  The Mirage drive is, I believe, between $500-600 for a replacement drive.  Cost of a basic kayak by itself!  It's all a matter of what you want, can afford and feels right for your needs.

Has anyone mentioned the cobra fish and dive? 600lb capacity with a little more rocker than an X factor. IMHO the list of best choices would be x-factor, big tuna, cobra fish and dive in that order.

I'm curious about the Big Tuna.  What's left for deck layout and rear tankwell space when converted to single paddler.  Sure, you can convert it, but is what's left really that good of a single kayak.  Why?

-Allen

Now from what i have come across for the research part of all these yaks is that you aren't getting a bang for your buck factor with Hobie...

Hobie owner research???

my trident 15 says 500-550.  At my heaviest I was 287 and had no problems with capacity.  I have heard second hand that x factors that have that lower hatch in the tankwell can leak when weighed down.  The edge of the hatch can go underwater.  Never tested it myself though. 

paddled the big game, and did not really care for the way it paddles.

That is somewhat true about the tankwell hatch, I have sealed mine shut since I never use it on the water anyway. Not a fan of opening any hatch on the ocean unless it is a front hatch that is well above the water line.

my trident 15 says 500-550.  At my heaviest I was 287 and had no problems with capacity.  I have heard second hand that x factors that have that lower hatch in the tankwell can leak when weighed down.  The edge of the hatch can go underwater.  Never tested it myself though. 

paddled the big game, and did not really care for the way it paddles.

That is somewhat true about the tankwell hatch, I have sealed mine shut since I never use it on the water anyway. Not a fan of opening any hatch on the ocean unless it is a front hatch that is well above the water line.

I have not had that problem with my X. I think I would try the KZ Frog's Butt Upgrade (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=5204.msg42513#msg42513) or some semblance of it if it was leaking before sealing it shut.

Actually when you look at what you get with a hobie I think they are right in line with every body else's prices.

I'm curious about the Big Tuna.  What's left for deck layout and rear tankwell space when converted to single paddler.  Sure, you can convert it, but is what's left really that good of a single kayak.  Why?

-Allen

At about 13 minutes he breaks down the features of using the boat solo.  Loads of usable space.

You're still going to have to paddle that big kayak against wind, waves and current. You reach a point of diminishing returns if what you want is just a giant kayak. I don't think anyone needs close to 300 pounds of gear on board. And if you're just concerned with extra freeboard, that extra material is also working against you in the above elements. YOU have to be able to provide the propulsion...

I weigh close to 180 pounds and my kayak has about a 350 pound capacity. Not much for a 16 footer. It's still one of the most seaworthy yaks out there though. Sits pretty low in the water and will take on some water and splash when things get challenging. It is also very fast which makes up for the low water line. You have to be able to provide some forward propulsion or your yak becomes a floating barge of sorts when things turn nasty and you can't really control it.  Again, diminishing returns because of the large size point.

My 2 cents anyway. Good luck in your search!       

 

Barge.

Barge.

+1 my cuda 14 seems like a barge sometimes.Go to the demo event next weekend in oakley!!!!!They will have a ton of demos everything from jackson to hobie.I think your over thinking the whole weight capacity a bit.

I'm curious about the Big Tuna.  What's left for deck layout and rear tankwell space when converted to single paddler.  Sure, you can convert it, but is what's left really that good of a single kayak.  Why?

-Allen

At about 13 minutes he breaks down the features of using the boat solo.  Loads of usable space.

Well, I think that video sort of just proves my point.  I think doubles that convert to singles are "less than ideal".  I used to do this with a Cobra Triple.  Yes, you can do it, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

-Allen

You're still going to have to paddle that big kayak against wind, waves and current. You reach a point of diminishing returns if what you want is just a giant kayak. I don't think anyone needs close to 300 pounds of gear on board. And if you're just concerned with extra freeboard, that extra material is also working against you in the above elements. YOU have to be able to provide the propulsion...

I weigh close to 180 pounds and my kayak has about a 350 pound capacity. Not much for a 16 footer. It's still one of the most seaworthy yaks out there though. Sits pretty low in the water and will take on some water and splash when things get challenging. It is also very fast which makes up for the low water line. You have to be able to provide some forward propulsion or your yak becomes a floating barge of sorts when things turn nasty and you can't really control it.  Again, diminishing returns because of the large size point.

My 2 cents anyway. Good luck in your search!       

 

your not kidding!when I took out my 14 pa 1st time in the ocean it was great.until the wind pick up and the swell started rolling.it seemed I was going nowhere it felt like I was gonna go sideways cause I couldn't get forward momentum.i was just glad the swells didn't get any worse when I reach the kelp beds the swells died down then I learned about hobies and kelp.stayed dried but was a little scary first time out in the ocean

Barge.

+1 my cuda 14 seems like a barge sometimes.Go to the demo event next weekend in oakley!!!!!They will have a ton of demos everything from jackson to hobie.I think your over thinking the whole weight capacity a bit.

which weekend ,dates I'd like to demo a eddy crib 14