I am looking for ideas on whitewater kayak models that might fit me.

I am 6'1" 265lbs.

I tried out a WaveSport Y today and it was too tight in cockpit esp. where the thigh braces are concerned.

I went then to a dealer and tried the LL Jefe Grande it fit much better, but still had issues with the thigh braces. Finally I tried a Dagger Mamba 8.5...I think this might have worked, it felt really good but it would be a close fit with the thigh braces (yet again..uggh!).

I have only rafted a few times with friends down the ocoee. My best friend kayaks, and I really want to get started. I don't really live where it is easy to try out boats. Also I am looking for used primarily as my budget is a bit tight.

Any help would be appreciated in terms of ideas for searching the classifieds.

Thanks

I'm about the same height as you, and have a Pyranha Ammo Large - It's really too big for me. Pyranha also have a boat called the Everest, which is very large. I've not actually sat in one so not sure how the thigh braces are in that? But could be worth a try.

From what I've seen, most whitewater manufacturers use pretty much the same sort of thigh braces across their range. The difference is the decks are higher and longer etc. so taller people can fit in.

If anyone can tell you a boat where the thigh braces adjustable in/out as well as forward/back you might have a better time fitting.

Don't mean to get too personal, but are you planning to lose the weight? If you go hunting around for a kayak to fit you as you are now, then drop 40lbs, it will no longer be the best boat for you? If you are dieting down, maybe consider something you can just squeeze into now, but will improve as you shed some pounds?

Pishk,
thanks a lot for the advice on boats and suggestions! I will check those boats out. I fluxuate 10-15lbs depending on what I am doing. Believe it or not at about 245-250 I am about as small as i would get without a strict diet and workout regiment. I was an athlete in high school and some in college, and lifted weights regularly. My legs are basically tree trunks, and they are pretty solid. (I have a nice tire around my gut for sure!) But the biggest problem I had the other day was in my legs, not the actual seat or width in the cockpit.

Thanks again!
Jason

Yea, you could possibly look into a LiquidLogic CR250, its quite large and can hold up to 250 lbs or so. Remember you can always adjust the thigh braces in MOST kayaks, or even replace them for ones that fit you better. there are a lot of LiquidLogic CR250s on ebay and at coloradokayaks.com
Good luck!!

I know exactly how you feel tn, my legs, as well, are tree trunks. I threw shotput in highschool and worked out my legs constantly, I weigh around 210 lb and i'm around 6' i can usually fit in a medium sized boat and never really have problems with the thigh braces as i usually can adjust them. Good luck tn.

i'm 6'2" 190#

i've got a pyranha karnalli large, i add 2'' of foam each side of my waist to get a proper fit in the boat, at your weight with no extra foam you should be okay