If you are thinking about how much weight a fishing kayak can hold, then it’s likely you’re staring at a pile of fishing gear and a cooler of refreshments, wondering if the weight of it all will lead to the wet demise of both you and your boat.
Or, perhaps you’re thinking about purchasing a piece of equipment like a pedal drive or motor that will add weight to your boat.
Both are worthy questions. Better you ask now than when you’re on top of the water with your boat filling up like a bathtub.
On average, a fishing kayak can hold 416 lbs and not sink. How do we know? We collected the manufacturer-stated weight capacity of 100 fishing kayaks. To operate effectively however, the average kayak can only hold about 280 lbs. With 30 lbs of gear, the same kayak can only support a paddler weighing less than 250 lbs.
Table of Contents
How much weight can a fishing kayak hold?
On paper, the average fishing kayak can hold 416 lbs and not sink. However, as you likely know, kayaks don’t float on paper.
There is much that is buried inside this single number. Let me explain.
To start, I collected the manufacturer-stated weight capacity of 100 kayaks that are manufactured and distributed by U.S. companies.
I calculated the following average fishing kayak weight capacity for each of the following brands:
Hobie: 450 lbs
Jackson Kayak: 445 lbs
Native Watercraft: 426 lbs
Old Town: 461 lbs
Ocean Kayak: 408 lbs
Wilderness Systems: 462 lbs
Perception Kayaks: 366 lbs
Pelican Kayaks: 334 lbs
Right away, we can see that some brands cater to anglers seeking a premium, heavy kayak, while others build kayaks for anglers working at a lower price point.
The lighter kayaks offered by Perception Kayaks and Pelican Kayaks tend to be shorter and under-accessorized versus the Hobies and Old Towns of the world. This is more of generalization than a rule.
Kayak length. The longer the boat, the better it floats
Note in the accompanying chart the positive relationship between a fishing kayak’s length and its weight capacity.
In other words, the longer the kayak, the higher its weight capacity, on average.
While length of kayak isn’t the only factor that impacts weight capacity, it is clearly an important one when you want to know how much weight a fishing kayak can hold.
‘Effective’ weight capacity. Don’t trick your kayak out to its maximum weight.
First of all, different manufacturers treat their maximum weight capacity numbers differently.
Anecdotally, some manufacturers report a maximum weight capacity (in lbs) which, if exceeded, will see the boat begin to take on water through its scupper holes.
Other manufacturers report the maximum weight capacity at which the kayak can still perform effectively in calm water.
So, not all maximum weight capacity numbers mean exactly the same thing.
To account for this, the paddling community applies a rule of thumb when interpreting the maximum weight capacity of a fishing kayak (or any other kayak, for that matter.)
The rule of thumb is this:
The maximum weight at which a kayak can be effectively operated is 2/3 of the manufacturer-stated maximum weight capacity.
Some might suggest the right number is closer to 75%. Others say that 50% is right. So, I land right in the middle at 2/3 (or 66.66%).
When you apply this rule of thumb, you underestimate the actual maximum capacity of some kayak brands when paddled in calm environments.
Nevertheless, this rule provides a margin of safety when packing your fishing kayak for a day on the water. If you run into waves, current or even the wake of another vessel, you can still rest-assured that the weight on your boat won’t drop you into the drink.
With this idea in mind, the chart above illustrates the average ‘effective’ maximum weight capacity of the boats manufactured by the various kayak brands.
The chart below illustrates the ‘effective’ maximum weight capacity of each fishing kayak in my sample compared to its length.
Too much weight. What happens if I load my kayak beyond the maximum weight?
You’re going to get wet. That’s the first and easiest answer. If you test the actual maximum weight of your fishing kayak, you’ll find that it rides lower in the water. Sometimes a lot lower.
Then, when you encounter choppy water, waves, or the wake of another boat, your scupper holes will let all kinds of water into your kayak and your posterior will… moisten.
So, if you’re carrying a heavy load, you might consider inserting scupper plugs to keep your bottom dry. Remember though, that scupper plugs not only keep water from entering your boat (from the bottom), but they also keep water from exiting your boat.
Scupper plugs do come with safety risks.
Your kayak will become less maneuverable. A heavy-laden boat can actually be quite stable if the weight is well-distributed and the centre of gravity is low.
However, most fishing kayaks are sit-on-top models, so the majority of the cargo weight is stored above the water line.
Therefore, most fishing kayaks become less stable when their maximum weight capacity is tested.
Also, it’s harder to turn a heavy kayak. Because a heavy kayak sits lower in the water, you are forced to displace more water to actually move. That’s one problem.
The other problem is that it simply takes a lot of energy to accelerate from a stopped position.
How much weight do you need your fishing kayak to hold?
I’ve tried to make the answer to this question as easy as possible for you to figure out.
How?
Why, with another table, of course.
The table above illustrates the lowest allowable maximum weight capacity required of your fishing kayak to support your body and your gear, while continuing to operate effectively.
The left-hand column of the table states your body weight. Choose that which is (honestly) closest to your weight.
The top row represents the weight of your fishing gear. This includes rods, reels, snacks, drinking water, safety gear, pedal drive.
The middle numbers show the weight capacity required to effectively operate a kayak paddled/pedaled by an angler of your weight with a given amount of gear (weighed and reported in lbs).
Remember, this assumes 2/3 of the kayak’s maximum weight capacity.
For example, assume you weigh 175 lbs and are carrying 40 lbs of gear.
Step 1. In the left-hand column, find the row labeled 175.
Step 2. Remain on this row and slide into the middle of the table, stopping at the column labeled 40.
Step 3. The number you should land on is 323 lbs.
323 lbs is the lowest maximum weight capacity that your fishing kayak requires in order to 1. Support your body, 2. Support your gear, 3. Continue to operate safely and effectively.
You’ll note that in this example, your body weight and gear weight only add up to 215 lbs. If this is the case, why do you need a fishing kayak with a maximum weight capacity of 323lbs?
Remember the rule of thumb we discussed earlier: The maximum weight at which a kayak can be effectively operated is 2/3 of the manufacturer-stated maximum weight capacity.
So while you`re only adding 215 lbs on top of your kayak, you require a 323 lb weight capacity in order to keep your boat afloat and able to operate safely and effectively.
Again, this isn’t necessarily the case with every kayak in every set of conditions.
Nevertheless, it provides you with a framework when you`re looking to purchase a new fishing kayak or buy new gear to load onto it (or when you put on a few pounds, yourself).
What are the options if you need a lot of weight capacity?
If you are a heavy angler or like to carry a lot of gear (or both), are there options that can get you out on the water?
The answer is yes.
Let’s assume that your body weight is 275lbs and you like to carry fishing gear, including a pedal drive, that totals an additional 60lbs.
Using the table above, you require a fishing kayak with a maximum weight capacity above 503 lbs in order to operate safely and effectively. (For this exercise, I’ll round down to 500 lbs.)
Are there options? Again, yes.
Fishing kayaks with maximum weight capacity above 500 lbs
If you want to know how much weight a fishing kayak can hold, these ones can hold the most.
Consider the following fishing kayaks with a maximum weight capacity above 500lbs. (In my sample, I count 22 of them.)
Hobie
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 with 360 Drive Technology. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 with 360 Drive Technology. Weight Capacity: 600 lbs.
Hobie MD 180 Turbo with Kick Up Fins + Arc Cranks. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Hobie Mirrage Pro Angler 14. Weight Capacity: 600 lbs.
Hobie Mirage Oasis. Weight Capacity: 550 lbs.
Jackson Kayak
Jackson Kayak Big Rig FD. Weight Capacity: 550 lbs.
Jackson Kayak BIG Rig HD. Weight Capacity: 550 lbs
Native Watercraft
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel Max 12.5. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Native Watercraft Titan Propel 10.5. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 13. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Native Watercraft Titan Propel 13.5. Weight Capacity: 550 lbs.
Native Watercraft Ultimate FX 15 Solo. Weight Capacity: 600 lbs.
Old Town
Old Town Sportsman 120. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Old Town Sportsman PDL 120. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Old Town Sportsman Bigwater PDL 132. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Old Town Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota. Weight Capacity: 525 lbs.
Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120. Weight Capacity: 558 lbs.
Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 136. Weight Capacity: 660 lbs.
Old Town TopWater 120 PDL. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Old Town Predator PDL. Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.
Ocean Kayak
Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game II Angler. Weight Capacity: 600 lbs.
Wilderness Systems
Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 140. Weight Capacity: 550 lbs.
Clearly there are several alternatives to choose from if you have the desire to load up a fishing kayak.
Furthermore, these alternatives are provided by bellwether kayak brands.
As you might expect, if your perspective is one of new-kayak shopping, bear in mind that fishing kayaks with higher maximum weight capacities cost more money.
For color, a new Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12 with 360 Drive Technology starts at $4,799 USD (March 2021). This represents a high price point among the sample of fishing kayaks listed above.
Alternatively, there is an active market for used fishing kayaks. If you are looking to trade up to a higher-weight capacity fishing kayak, consider looking through Craigslist.
I wrote an article all about buying used kayaks. While the focus was principally on recreational sit-in kayaks, the broad principals still apply.
How to increase the weight capacity of your kayak
Perhaps you love your fishing kayak and have no desire to replace it with a new one. If this is the case, there are ways to increase the maximum weight capacity of your kayak.
Install kayak outriggers
Kayak outriggers are long arms with a floatation device on one end. They attach to your kayak and extend into the water. The float provides additional buoyancy and stability while on the water.
If you have interest in kayak outriggers, I wrote an extensive article on how to install them (the adjustable variety), inflate them and use them effectively while fishing.
Make use of float bags.
Float bags can be filled with air and inserted into the furthest storage areas of your kayak.
This strategy improved your boat`s buoyancy. In fact, some kayakers have experimented with filling float bags with helium before positioning them in their boats (with modest results).
In the context of a sit-on-top fishing kayak, the cost of slightly-improved buoyancy might be reduced stability.
To fill up precious storage hatches with float bags (if they even fit), requires you to store your other gear higher up on your boat. This will increase the `tippy quotient` of your fishing kayak.
How much weight can a fishing kayak hold? Parting thoughts.
In my view, the most important takeaway from this article is the maximum weight capacity rule of thumb.
Remember, the maximum weight capacity at which a kayak can be effectively paddled is about 2/3 of the manufacturer-stated capacity.
Once you know the combined weight of your body and your gear you have all the information you need.
The table that we provided earlier arms you with the minimum weight capacity that you require from your fishing kayak to paddle, pedal and fish both safely and effectively.