Kayaks For Big Guys And Gals
Years ago, kayaking and whitewater were synonymous. It used to be that if you were a kayaker, you were accustomed to frequent hazards and danger as part of the pursuit. Sure, while this style of whitewater kayaking is still popular in certain places, the sport has branched out to become much more than running rapids, dodging boulders, and Eskimo rolls. Kayaking is also a great way to leisurely tour our country’s many waterways and take in the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. Along with that, kayaking has also become a preferred mode of transportation to camp, fish, and hunt. Kayak fishing also allows just about anyone the opportunity to explore and fish without having to spend thousands on a fancy boat.
But no matter how you use your kayak, what all the pursuits have in common is they’re simply a lot of fun! Regardless of age, socio-economic background, or physique, anyone can learn how to kayak. What can make it easier and more pleasurable, though, is choosing the right kayak.
Again, despite the trepidation of some, kayaking can be enjoyed by people of all shapes and sizes. Even if you’re overweight or taller than average, kayaking can be enjoyable. You might wonder about your higher center of gravity, need for greater legroom, seating requirements, boat weight limits, or difficulty getting in or out of a kayak. The first thing to know is there are myriad kayaks on the market designed to accommodate larger people. It simply takes some looking to find the right boat options. Let’s start with a look at multi-purpose recreational kayaks that accommodate larger individuals for a number of recreational on-the-water pursuits.
RECREATIONAL KAYAKS FOR BIG GUYS AND GALS
Looking for a kayak to simply get you out of the house or office and on to the water? Or that perfect boat to stow on top of the vehicle or trailer for a fun weekend at the cabin or a regional or state park or nature preserve? Or perhaps you’re looking to navigate some mellow whitewater rapids in your local stream or river. Old Town has you covered—even if you’re plus-sized! The Loon 126 and Vapor 12xt fit this bill perfectly.
Loon 126
Old Town changed the way paddlesports viewed recreational kayaks when it launched the Loon Series 20 years ago. Still today, the Old Town Loon Series continues to be the choice of countless paddlers of all sizes and ages from all walks of life. With a whopping weight capacity of 450 pounds (204 kg), its wide, ergonomic ACS2 seat, and ample legroom, the Loon 126 accommodates even the largest individuals. The Loon 126 also includes a removable work deck, supplying space for customization, cameras, gear and water; dry storage; and a USB port to keep your gadgets charged, even after hours on the water. Plus, it’s a great-looking boat available in four eye-catching colors: Sunrise, Lemongrass, Photic, and Black Cherry. Learn more about the Loon 126 here.
Vapor 12xt
The Vapor 12XT is another great option for larger paddlers or anyone looking for a roomy cockpit and added volume. Designed to carry a maximum load of 375 pounds (170.1 kg), and extremely stable, this kayak performs well even loaded with tons of gear. Equipped with the comfortable padded Comfort Flex Seat and a stern Click Seal Hatch, the Vapor 12XT is a great choice for bird waters, anglers, sportsmen, modest whitewater, and recreational paddlers alike. And when it comes to getting in and out of a kayak, nothing’s roomier—the Vapor 12xt has the largest cockpit opening Old Town makes, providing easy entry and plenty of space for you and your gear. Like the Loon 126, it’s available in four brilliant colors: Sunrise, Lemongrass, Photic, and Black Cherry. Learn more about the Vapor 12xt here.
FISHING KAYAKS FOR BIG GUYS AND GALS
The kayak fishing scene has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past several years. More and more anglers are taking to kayaks to explore a variety of waters, from smaller, hard-to-reach lakes and rivers to large reservoirs, lakes, and rivers. There’s really no place that the right fishing kayak cannot explore, including saltwater, both inshore and offshore.
Old Town has long factored in different body types during the initial fishing kayak design stage, including accommodating larger individuals both in terms of weight, height, and leg length. That said, Old Town offers more than a half dozen larger-angler accommodating wide kayak options—from the sit-inside Loon 126 Angler to state-of-the-art sit-on-top models like the Sportsman AutoPilot 136 (featuring a Minn Kiota motor) and the Sportsman Bigwater PDL 132.
Loon 126 Angler
The Old Town Loon 126 Angler features a sleek new hull design, which is both zippy and forgiving. Extra width and volume add stability—and the incorporation of the ACS2 seat was intended to make the Loon 126 Angler the most comfortable sit-inside angling kayak on the water. It also features flush-mount rod holders and an anchor system and features a revolutionary work deck with a USB port and built-in storage. Colors include Brown Camo for double-duty fishing and waterfowl hunting and Urban Camo for all-around use. Learn more about the Loon 126 Angler here.
Sportsman PDL 120
The Sportsman line of Old Town fishing kayaks features kayaks of all types and sizes, from sit-on-top paddle kayaks to state-of-the-art, GPS-enabled trolling motors. The Sportsman PDL 120 is exactly the fishing kayak countless anglers had been waiting for… Old Town sacrificed nothing, delivering a comfortable, hands-free performance fishing kayak that’s easy to maneuver and even easier to transport. At 12' long and 36 inches wide, the Sportsman PDL 120 offers large fishing kayak performance in a size that most kayak anglers prefer. A marriage of stability and performance, the Sportsman PDL 120, with the ultra-stable DoubleU Hull, quietly glides through any water condition while providing a stable hands-free stand-up fishing platform. Featuring the award-winning forward/reverse PDL Drive, the most reliable and easy-to-use pedal drive on the market, and equipped with thoughtful onboard rod and tackle management, the Sportsman PDL 120 is a dream kayak for even the most experienced kayak anglers.
For larger anglers, it’s the perfect pedal drive kayak with an impressive 394-pound usable weight capacity. An oversized stern tank well coupled with impressive hull capacity provides one of the roomiest fishing kayaks on the market with wide, comfortable, and infinitely adjustable premium seating to accommodate larger individuals with longer leg lengths. Additionally, the ultra-stable DoubleU pontoon hull design offers unmatched stability and precision handling in an easy-to-transport size. Not only that, the hull is super quiet for approaching fish with stealth. There’s also plenty of space to stay organized and easily access gear with three multi-position rod holders and thoughtfully-placed onboard rod and tackle storage. And for fishing standing up, EVA foam deck pads provide traction for all-day fishing comfort.
When it comes to pedal drive design, you’ll enjoy the benefits of the PDL Drive’s patent-pending easy-docking system, intuitive forward/reverse operation, the best warranty in the industry, and minimal maintenance requirements.
One of the hassles of most fishing kayaks has always been figuring out how to best mount your fishfinder’s transducer. Not with the Sportsman PDL 120. Its revolutionary universal transducer mounting system makes mounting your favorite fish finder easier than ever before and also protects it when navigating skinny waters.
The Sportsman PDL 120 is also a good-looking boat—available in two colors: Photic and Ember.
Learn more about the Sportsman PDL 120 here. If you prefer to paddle, but the Topwater sounds interesting to you, check out our complete line of Sportsman kayaks here.
Sportsman Bigwater 132: A Pleasure to Paddle—Even with Loads of Gear
The Sportsman Bigwater 132 was designed to accommodate up to 450 pounds! At 13’ 2” long with a width of 34”, it is the biggest paddle kayak in the Sportsman line. Kayakers—especially bigger anglers and hunters—have raved about the comfort, ventilation, and built-in tackle storage the Element Seating provides, along with its generous adjustable seat height and leg length.
Beyond that, the Bigwater 132 is rife with numerous features, including three built-in flush mount rod holders, numerous accessory plates, an optional rudder system, and lots more!
Learn more about the Bigwater 132 here.
Sportsman Bigwater PDL 132: The Most Advanced Pedal Drive On the Water
Introduced at ICAST 2016—where it was voted Best Boat of ICAST by buyers and media—the Sportsman Bigwater PDL 132 began life as the Predator PDL. It is now considered the most advanced pedal-driven fishing kayak on the market. It gets you to the spot fast and keeps you on the spot without paddling. With forward, reverse, maneuverability, and stability, the Bigwater PDL 132 provides precise boat control while your hands remain free to focus on fishing. The removable pedal drive installs in seconds and tips up instantly for shallow-water docking.
Its 13’ 2” length, 36” width, and 500-pound maximum capacity (394-pound usable capacity) make it a great choice for larger individuals looking for a pedal driven kayak. The same goes for its wide, ergonomic, and fast-drying seating system, with its 15-inch height and up to 48-inch leg length to reach the PDL Drive’s comfortable, padded pedals.
Learn more about the Bigwater PDL 132 here.
Sportsman AutoPilot 136: GPS-Enabled, Remote Controlled Motorized Fishing Machine
The Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 136 motorized kayak has a hull designed to handle bigger water while leveraging Minn Kota's Spot-Lock technology. Motor to your fishing spot faster, then hold your position over the hole. Command the kayak with a touch of your thumb using the Bluetooth connected i-Pilot remote. If your goal is to work waters like a tournament angler, this is your boat. While you can certainly pop a paddle into the included paddle clip, the AutoPilot is all about motorized flexibility to reach spots fast, troll using GPS-controlled speed and tracks, and anchor your kayak usinf SpotLock, allowing you to spend more time fishing and less time maneuvering your kayak.
The Sportsman AutoPilot 136 has a generous 660-pound capacity - which after the weight of the kayak, motor, and battery are factored in, leaves you with 502-pounds of usable weight capacity. Similarly, its design dimensions of 13’6” long, 37” wide, and seemingly endless leg length make it perfect for larger individuals. Whether sitting or stand up fishing, this is a tournament-quality kayak!
Learn more about the Sportsman AutoPilot 136 here. To learn more about the entire Sportsman line, click here.
PADDLE SAFE: PFDS FOR BIG GUYS AND GALS
We’d be remiss not to mention the importance of wearing a PFD at all times when kayaking. Along those lines, Old Town has spent a lot of time designing and evaluating the most buoyant and comfortable PFDs for kayakers of all sizes—from small children to plus-sized men and women—while making these critical safety items affordable.
Solitude PFD
The recently-introduced Solitude PFD features a 240 denier ripstop Nylon shell, AirComfort System High Back, adjustable shoulder and side straps, two zippered front pockets, hoodie-style fleece-lined pockets, and buoyant, lightweight PE and EVA foam. It’s available in sizes up to 2XL/3XL (54 to 60 inches) to accommodate larger kayakers. Learn more about the Solitude men’s here and women’s here.
Lure Angler PFD
For larger individuals looking for a PFD with angler-specific features, the Lure Angler PFD is the ticket. Available in sizes up to 2XL/3XL (54 to 60 inches), it features seven pockets to organize fishing gear like small tackle boxes, tools, headlamps, cameras, phones, etc. It also has a front Velcro patch for keeping hooks and jigs organized and drying flies and durable Hypalon tabs for retractors. To learn more about the Lure Angler, click here.
Treble Angler PFD
Another great PFD suited for larger kayakers and anglers is the Treble Angler PFD. Available in one universal size that will accommodate chest sizes up to 56 inches, it features five pockets for organizing fishing gear, durable Hypalon tables for retractors, and a Velcro patch for drying flies. Its high-low back is also comfortable with all types of kayak seat designs. To learn more about the Treble Angler, click here.
Old Town Riverstream PFD
If you’re looking for no-nonsense recreational PFD suited for larger paddlers, the Riverstream, which features a thin back design for comfort in all kayak seat designs, zippered chest pockets, a D-ring, and cord loop attachment point, is a solid choice. Its universal size accommodates chest sizes from 30 to 56 inches. Learn more about the Riverstream PFD here.
DON’T LET YOUR SIZE KEEP YOU FROM EXPERIENCING THE JOY OF KAYAKING
Just like how each person is uniquely built, so is each kayak. There are plenty of great kayak options out there to accommodate a myriad of body shapes and sizes as well as uses.
Old Town offers a complete line of high-quality kayaks which have been manufactured in Old Town, Maine, USA since 1898. Use the helpful Kayak Buying Guide to help you find the right kayak for you. By choosing Old Town, you’re investing in products that last. Backed by a lifetime hull warranty, you can trust that you’ve made a great investment by choosing Old Town.