Kayak for a fatty

So I'm a fat kid and currently own a wilderness systems ride 115. I bought thE boat when I weighed 30 pounds less  (weight gain is owed to a diffrent job with less physical activity and more food) and lived in north east ca. Now that I moved to the north coast I have gone out on the salt 3 times. Immediately I could tell a difference in stability since the weight gain.
I have been looking at the a hobie pro angler 14 for the stability and the mirage drive system. I was wondering if anyone would share there experian with one of these boats on the ocean. I would much appreciate your reviews and thoughts.


Ps since I mentioned getting a new kayak because of my weight gain my wife made me get a treadmill and take that sucker for a go every night I am home.

cobra fish n dive

Outback?

Not to pry, but what are we talking height/weight wise ? In fairness, I'm 6'3" and pushing three bills, so "fatty" is a relative term. I paddle an OK Big Game and I have never felt tippy in the slightest. I can sit sideways with my legs hanging off, turn around to get stuff out of the live well, and just always feel stable. Its a big cockpit with lots of legroom and just general open space to move around. Its slow and takes some strength to move but that's the tradeoff. I recently used an older Tarpon 140 and definitely felt like I needed to be way more aware of my movement and balance. I'm in the process of losing some lbs and getting in better shape so I'd love to get to where I feel stable in a narrower kayak at some point. But until then ...

I'm 6'5" 180 and Lots of peddling and some paddling keeps the fat off me.  An Outback would work as well and is easier to maneuver than the Pro Angler.  The Kraken was designed by a short round guy so it can hold weight well too.  OK Prowler big Game and Predator are big guy kayaks.

Currently I'm 5' 10" 300 lbs right now it's not so shaky I can't take out my kayak I just can't really move towards the front to grab something or turn around to grab something from the back like I used to.

That's how I am on the Tarpon. I basically have to just focus on paddling and go. Again, its not like I feel like I'm constantly headed into the water, but it wouldn't take too much careless movement to get wet. Do you fish the salt or open water lakes a lot ? The safety consideration in those scenarios are self rescue - could you get yourself back in if you did end up in the water ? I have no problem wrestling my Big Game and dragging my fat butt back up, but the Tarpon is a lost cause even in the calmness conditions. I look like an elephant seal trying to mate with a baby blue whale.

PA14 or Outback. Demo both.

Be sure and try the Predator 13.  Old Town kayaks, but it's really an Ocean Kayak.  super stable surprisingly good paddler.

We took a 50-mile trip down the John Day River before they were officially released.  The other guys were taking rapids standing up! 

I currently have a Predator MX (11 ft) in my fleet and clients love it.

MX in action:



Bushy

Take it from a fat kid an Hobie Outback or X-Factor! 

I will be mostly fishing salt now since I moved to the coast. When I bought my ride 115 I practiced self rescue in deep water with my pdf on until I felt fully comfortable getting in and out. And I'm sure I look the exact same pulling my self in to the kayak. I think I'm gonna spend some money at pro pacific demoing before I buy anything. If anyone one has any more suggestions I'm all open ears or eyes.

Try before you buy!

Take it from a fat kid an Hobie Outback or X-Factor! 

X-Factor has a capacity of 550 pounds. Not fast, but good rocker and insane stability. Even at 300 pounds you can move forward, backward it sideways comfortably.

Definitely try as many different boats as you can.

Try before you buy!

Words of wisdom!!!!!!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim