Some pedal drive prices and weights

why is it weighed with the pedal drive? who carries around a kayak with the pedal inside of it? who cares how much it weighs on the water, these aren't race cars 

that's a good point! 

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Weight is a direct part of how well kayak will paddle. I have been known to move my kayak a mile on shore to get to where I could launch. Even on wheels weight makes a difference. I pack as light as possible on those days. The drive, seat, and fishing gear all makes a difference.

why is it weighed with the pedal drive? who carries around a kayak with the pedal inside of it? who cares how much it weighs on the water, these aren't race cars 

i don't know why they do it.  all the manufacturers should have "carry" weight listed as well as "rigged" weight, but they don't. 

For example, Slayer Propel 13 - approx carry weight is 85lbs.
Manta Ray Propel - approx carry weight is 70lbs.  I can easily carry the MR12 on my shoulder. the SP13, not so much.  Not only because of the ~15lb extra weight, but because of weight distribution and where the handles are located. 

A lot of people rarely have to pick up their kayak anymore, so extra weight doesn't really matter as much.  It still matters to me even though I have hullavators.  If I owned a long bed pickup, I probably wouldn't care how heavy my kayak was. I would just back it into the water like I do with my excursion and my 10' kayak stored inside of it.

Weight is a direct part of how well kayak will paddle. I have been known to move my kayak a mile on shore to get to where I could launch. Even on wheels weight makes a difference. I pack as light as possible on those days. The drive, seat, and fishing gear all makes a difference.

to be fair, too light of a kayak isn't always great either.  kayak design is more important than anything.  a 50lb kayak with too much buoyancy will bob like a cork on the water and be subject to too much windage, be unstable and track terribly.  kayaks should be designed so that an average paddler, with his gear, will sit in the water at an optimal depth for waterline length, such that the sides are not too high to be subject to windage, be stable enough, and out of preference not be a wet ride.

There's a balance that has to be struck with each kayak, which is why i wish kayak manufacturers would disclose more info on what they believe would be optimal for each of their models as for loaded weight, not just absolute weight capacity.

One more got left off:
Santa Cruz Kayaks Raptor G-2, $1200 and 70 lb without the drive or adaptor pod.

I'm still lovin' my PAID FOR '08 Revo.
I can still dive off of it and still fish off of it.......Go figure?

One very interesting topic here. A lot to think about - thanks everyone.

One more got left off:
Santa Cruz Kayaks Raptor G-2, $1200 and 70 lb without the drive or adaptor pod.

  Thanks Dan !   

      We've bumped up the weight and changed the rudder design.  A G2 with everything except the Mirage Drive is $ 1,640.     Advantage is it can be switched from a pedal to a paddle yak.   The fins can be feathered up to the hull allowing it to pass over kelp, or land on the beach.

        Only the Mirage Drive offers the simplicity of use.   It doesn't get tangled up in weeds,  it's much much easier to pedal with the back and forth style short pedal strokes, as opposed to the cycle motion of prop drives.         Get tangled in the weeds with the wind blowing, and with the time it takes to pull the unit, clear it, put it back in,,, you'll be 150 yards downstream.   

    I've got a few demo models and one brand new one available ( yellow, fully rigged ) for $1,250.       Stop by and demo it at Moss Landing.

There is so thing as peddling a kayak.  Peddle means to sell something.  These kayaks have pedals.

Manufacturers and dealers peddle kayaks, some of which can be pedaled...

         Get tangled in the weeds with the wind blowing, and with the time it takes to pull the unit, clear it, put it back in,,, you'll be 150 yards downstream.   
 

If you're tangled in the weeds, wouldn't you be pretty much stationary?

Bouché

         Get tangled in the weeds with the wind blowing, and with the time it takes to pull the unit, clear it, put it back in,,, you'll be 150 yards downstream.   
 

If you're tangled in the weeds, wouldn't you be pretty much stationary?


   

Bouché

         Get tangled in the weeds with the wind blowing, and with the time it takes to pull the unit, clear it, put it back in,,, you'll be 150 yards downstream.   
 

If you're tangled in the weeds, wouldn't you be pretty much stationary?

Bouché

    Mr Bouche'...    I'm referring to the weeds  torn loose from their roots, hopelessly tangled around the prop. Leaving the pedal'r at the mercy of the elements ,,,wishing they had a Mirage drive.