kayak weight capacity

noob question,
How close to the rated weight capacity of a kayak can you get before it affects the preformance of the kayak and how does it affect preformance, (slower,lower in water, more likely to take on water, not as safe) ?
kayak rated for 350#
human rated at 225#
fishing gear rated at 50#??
fish rated at 30+??
=305#, =45# leftover
would it be better (safer, faster) to get a kayak rated for 400# (hobie revo vrs hobie outback weight capacity)
Thanks for any info,
Redfred

Morning Redfred!
To answer just a few of your questions, your yak will sit lower in the water and perform less efficiently the closer you get to the weight capacity. 350-400 is what I've found to be a good average for a fishing style SOT kayak. You want to make sure you don't go past the weight rating as it could mean bad news when on the water.
I own a Hobie Outback (rated 400 lbs) and one thing I still struggle with is remembering to try to practice "minimalist" kayak fishing.  Meaning taking only what I think i will need with me to reduce weight and also reduce clutter. It's not a perfect science but the lighter I pack the more I enjoy my trip because it's easier to operate my yak (not to mention not feel suffocated by stuff when in my yak).
Paul


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I weigh 210# and have no problems in my revo. 

I weigh 210# and have no problems in my revo.

I weigh the same as Lee, and concur that my Revo handles that weight (plus gear + fish) just fine. The Revo lists capacity at 350# - I estimate that I  fish at about 250 - 260. My buddy who fishes out of Tarpon 140 with a 350# capacity, and fishes at about the same 250# weight, appears closer to his max limit than do I. So I think there is some manufacturer discrepancy to take into account, too.

I look at the rated weight capacity of the yak. Then use my body weight plus 20lbs to cover the gear i am wearing ( personal fudge factor) . If it's 60% of the yaks capacity i look for a bigger boat. This is before factoring in tackle, battery, ff, anchor system if used, water and food, etc.

Like others here I'm a heavier guy and having some personal pride, i dont want to swamp the boat just cuz i'm a fat ass.

This self imposed cautionary formula has also helped me go more minimalistic after my first two hears of kitchen sinking it.

Remember if you're harvesting you're adding to your boats weight. So plan accordingly.

Morning Redfred!
To answer just a few of your questions, your yak will sit lower in the water and perform less efficiently the closer you get to the weight capacity. 350-400 is what I've found to be a good average for a fishing style SOT kayak. You want to make sure you don't go past the weight rating as it could mean bad news when on the water.
I own a Hobie Outback (rated 400 lbs) and one thing I still struggle with is remembering to try to practice "minimalist" kayak fishing.  Meaning taking only what I think i will need with me to reduce weight and also reduce clutter. It's not a perfect science but the lighter I pack the more I enjoy my trip because it's easier to operate my yak (not to mention not feel suffocated by stuff when in my yak).
Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

+1

as most here knows I had a weight rating issue with a kayak and had to move up to a better weigt rating.I now have a wilreness ride115 it's a great kayak very happy with it it rate to 500 lbs..TEST RIDE, TEST RIDE ,if you are looking for a peddle drive type , I don't know yet which has the best weight rating, Good Luck..try your friends and see how they work for you,but if your 250 or more try to almost double your weight as a rating ,Worked for me..

at 225# and being an older person, and never kayaked, except to demo a revo and outback out for about an hour, i am looking at an outback or pa for fishing from. will demo and ask lots of questions, thanks for the replys.
redfred

redfred......I am 70, 192#, 6' and love my Outback.......if you pick this kayak, make sure you add the turbo fins and sailing rudder.
I also replaced  the Mirage drive foot straps,  with home made heel straps, made  out of a old heavy duty nylon dog leash, 1" wide, .....there are past posts you can search to see what other guy's have done.....this makes it easy to pedal and not use extra muscles keeping your feet on the pedals.

Though I doubt it is an issue with the better known / quality manufactures,  I wonder if others are VERY optimistic with the weight capacity ratings they give their products.
 
When I was shopping for kayaks,  I was using the Weight Capacity to Price formula.  When I had it narrowed down to a couple of choices, I read reviews and found others had put the weight capacity as a priority when making their purchase of these same models.
I can't help but think the marketing value of higher rated weight capacities do not influence what some manufactures will claim.   

I have Perception Pescador 12 which is built from the older Tarpon molds.
I and my gear come in at an easy 100 lbs less than it's claimed 350 lbs weight capacity.  Yet with the scupper plugs removed,  water comes up to where you can not remove the center day hatch cover that sits just in front of the seat, without water coming in.   
If I were to add an additional 100 lbs,  that hatched would almost be completely submerged.   I can't help help but think this is a case the design not meeting its claimed weight capacity.

Though I doubt it is an issue with the better known / quality manufactures,  I wonder if others are VERY optimistic with the weight capacity ratings they give their products.
 
When I was shopping for kayaks,  I was using the Weight Capacity to Price formula.  When I had it narrowed down to a couple of choices, I read reviews and found others had put the weight capacity as a priority when making their purchase of these same models.
I can't help but think the marketing value of higher rated weight capacities do not influence what some manufactures will claim.   

I have Perception Pescador 12 which is built from the older Tarpon molds.
I and my gear come in at an easy 100 lbs less than it's claimed 350 lbs weight capacity.  Yet with the scupper plugs removed,  water comes up to where you can not remove the center day hatch cover that sits just in front of the seat, without water coming in.   
If I were to add an additional 100 lbs,  that hatched would almost be completely submerged.   I can't help help but think this is a case the design not meeting its claimed weight capacity.

My first yak had the same issue. I was never comfortable enough tho take into anything but perfect conditions. I never took out the scupper plugs. Something about sitting in 2 inches of water bugged me. When I purchased it the rating was 300 -325#. The next years model (no change) was rated at 250. Quite a change and marketing snafu. My friend who weighed in at 240# swamped it.

I know have an Outback and am completely comfortable with a combined fishinging supplies, clothing and human weight of 250#.  On lakes I will even take my dog who weighs 80# with no adverse effects.

Steve

Much the same looks to have taken place with the new perceptions which are longer 13' and 15' models. Despite the extra size,  they are now rated 50 lbs less than the smaller 12' version I have.   They have also moved the problem center hatch up closer to the seat which puts it higher and out of the flood zone.

       One of the things I learned from my experience manufacturing kayaks is there's a formula on the Coast Gaurd site for determining the weight capacity.    I think it gets sort of vague when it comes to SOT kayaks.   
   Take the amount of weight it takes for water to top the coaming,  divide that by three,  subtract the weight of the boat to get the weight capacity.     Example  say it takes 1200 lbs loaded on the deck before water begins to fill.  ( scuppers don't count I guess )  1/3rd = 400 lbs  ,   subtract boat weight of 60 lbs and you have a  340# weight capacity. That would be the " safe" load limit for a boat.     
   My guess is most manufacturers use the cu volume determined from a CAD drawing to figure the displacement weight.  I doubt any have actually piled real weight onto their kayaks to get these numbers.    I've seen 600# weight capacity statements on some kayaks....  that would mean you could just about park a car on it without it going under.  Anybody ever try this at home?    LOL.