How Much Capacity Is Really Needed?

[dapHBCM]

Originally Posted by DanaPT

You could probably do the outback, leave a cooler pack a sandwich. Scale back. I believe the outback is 290 lbs.

The PA, gets more stable and capacity.

Demo one of each.

Thank you! I'll have to find someone local willing to let me test them out. Everywhere is sold out right now, but I've been trying other options with Andy @ OEX.

Originally Posted by TJones

Don't push it. You will be working way harder when fully encumbered. It will not be as pleasant on the water. Let alone the safety issue it could present. Maybe switching to a bait tube might be a solution? Good luck.

Thank you! Feels like I'm missing something when Hobie makes a livewell that weighs 80lbs full - 25% of the outback's capacity. Guess I need to spend a little more time trying things out and researching - not opposed to going with something larger if needed, but hoping to be a little more flexible if possible.

Any recommendations or thoughts on how far under the listed capacity I should consider? I've seen 70% of capacity a couple places, but that seems way too low considering what a lot of guys are doing on smaller kayaks.

[Saba Slayer]

overthinking it...LOL...

[SoCalEDC]

Here is an article you may find beneficial:
https://www.mensjournal.com/adventur...ight-capacity/

The capacity is a suggestion and is typically under rated. Some kayaks come with a certificate of buoyancy. I also don't know if the capacity includes the weight of the kayak or not.

Here is my personal experience: my outback was rated 425# I would take a lot of gear with me:

If you figure:
My weight (full kit, clothed as I would be for fishing, including pfd, radio, water shoes): 220
kayak weight (with drive+seat+paddle+cart):105
Live well (container and battery): 15
Water (assume 4 gal seawater at 8.6#/gal @ sealevel: ~35
rods,reels, gaff, pliars: 20#
fishing tackle (jigs, hooks, weights, etc.): 10
ff+battery (assume SLA battery and modern FF): 7#
Dry bag w/ change of clothes+emergency stuff: 7#
water (hydroflask 40oz., full include bottle weight): 3#
fish bag w/ ice (20# bag): 23#

total weight: 445#

Before any fish I am exceeding the weight limit of 425 (theoretically). But, never once did I feel like I was sinking or my waterline was too high on the kayak, etc.

If you take out the weight of the kayak it would put me at about 340 (20 below the recommended capacity) so maybe if I had another 85# of gear or landed 85# worth of fish (one can dream right), perhaps it would have been a more uncomfortable ride, but I speculate that the buoyancy is underrated on most kayaks.

On a side note saltwater is more buoyant that freshwater, but I don't know how much difference it makes for real life purposes, although I would suspect it gives you a slight advantage over the mfg rating.

Take all of this with a grain of salt, and call the manufacturer if you want to get more info about their process.

[dapHBCM]

Originally Posted by Saba Slayer

overthinking it...LOL...

That would fit my personality

Originally Posted by SoCalEDC

Take all of this with a grain of salt, and call the manufacturer if you want to get more info about their process.

Thank you! I'm gonna see if I can get ahold of someone over there.