--- Quote from: bogueYaker on September 23, 2021, 04:05:56 PM --- --- Quote from: pmmpete on September 23, 2021, 02:58:56 PM ---Why are kayak manufacturers making so many of their pedal fishing kayaks so heavy?
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I suspect it's a combination of current manufacturing methods (rotomolding) lending themselves to weightier boats and the fact that the US market is probably hungrier for jon boat type builds (I think only the Revo 13 in your list is below 30" width?), which also lends to heavy boats. I guess that second fact probably stems from the fact that most of the US market is landlocked and restricted to small water?
I'd do terrible things for a light, skinny, and long pedal kayak. There seem to be some neat things coming out of SA (Stealth, Vagabond). If there's ever even just a light pedal kayak introduced to the market, I wouldn't be surprised if it came out of SA.
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To answer the original question, I agree with what BogueYaker said. That and most people in this country like to bring a tackle shop with them when they fish and then require all kinds of mounting positions for all that gear which adds weight. Then there are the mounting points required for all the cameras. ;D
INSAYN:
Almost that entire list of "kayaks" given right there tend to lean more towards the definition of a "small boat".
Get past that aspect and you'll see the problem.
HuyFishin:
Us guys with heavy boats ask for lighter boats to save our backs.
The guys with the light boats will eventually be asking for a boat that is wide and stable, dryer ride, track straight with more weight capacity so they can bring more tackle or even bring a big dog with them.
its always a win some lose some situation.
craig:
--- Quote ---The guys with the light boats will eventually be asking for a boat that is wide and stable, dryer ride, track straight with more weight capacity so they can bring more tackle or even bring a big dog with them. --- End quote ---
The guys with the light, narrow, and faster kayaks will not be switching to a heavier slower boat. They have those boats for a reason. I have seen more people go away from the heavy kayaks like an Outback than the other way around.
The new Hobie Outback -- a "wider" kayak-- is definitely NOT a dryer ride than a Hobie Revo. That nice concave deck of the Outback channels all the water that comes over the deck from waves to spray right into your chest in rough conditions. Whereas, a wave breaking over the bow of a Revo will rarely make it back to the cockpit. In fact, it rarely makes in past the front hatch. As for tracking, the predominant case among kayak designs will be a longer narrower kayak will track much better than a short wide one. Wider boats are not necessarily more stable. They may have better PRIMARY stability so people feel like they are more stable. However, a narrower boat will usually have better SECONDARY stability. In other words they are more like a log. When a wave hits them from the side, they do not roll as -- and potentially flip -- as easy as a wide boat with good primary stability. I will take my narrow kayak with better secondary stability out in rough conditions all day long over a wider kayak because in reality, it is more stable in rough conditions. Also, when the wide kayak with good primary stability gets flipped in the surf or ends up upside down in another way, it is much more difficult to get it flipped back around. They also hurt more when they land on your head. ;D
So, if you feel the need to carry a tackle shop with you and do not need to cover a lot ground with ease, a wider boat is probably your boat. If you do not need a lot of gear to catch fish, you like to cover ground in a hurry, and fish rough conditions or strong currents, then a narrower kayak is probably a better fit for you. That is the beauty of it. Lots of choices.
Or, buy one of each. The manufacturers and retail shops will appreciate it!
dampainter:
I did buy one of each ;D but then turned right around after a trip or two in the outback and luckily for me the shop took the outback back and gave me another revo 13. the outback was too sluggish, i remember it seemed to push the water where as the revo cut ?thru.