Hello...first post, sorry if I'm a noob but I'm a bit concerned!

I just bought a kayak for my husband and I'm wondering, he's 280lbs and I plan on taking the inside out and getting another seat for him. But should I be worried about the general width of the kayak? It's a surprise for his birthday so I can't exactly get the info from him i need.
Will I end up needing to spend more than 250-350 just to buy a wider opening?

Any comments are welcome, thank you in advance

What boat? If you aren't sure, take a picture of any logos of it. If it is long, wide, and has a rather pointy shape, read the next 3 paragraphs. If not, skip those.

Most recreational kayaks (the ones you would buy in a store that sells golf clubs, groceries, etc) are fairly wide as is, and the seat is as wide as you could go. When I was selling my first kayak, I had someone who wasn't that big that physically was too wide for the rim, but it was 19" wide.

I know that you want it to be a surprise, but it's really important for it to fit properly, and would be worth having him look at a few. You could probably drag him along to a store, and see if he shows interest in kayaking anyways. Leave him there while you shop, and when you are done see what he likes.

Just a warning though: some boats have hatches, but I know the Pelican brand kayaks sometimes have a hatch that is literally big enough to carry your lunch, and that's it. I would either get a really cheap kayak to start with (Victory Blast comes to mind), or go up to a Necky Manitou Sport (12', decent speed, big hatches). I had a rec boat a few years ago (sold it to make room for another whitewater kayak) and remember looking at the Wilderness Systems Pamlico 100 since it was only $425, but the hatch doesn't have a foam wall to keep it dry, so it wouldn't be too functional (although I recall Austin Kayak selling the foam "bulkhead" that you could glue in to keep water out).

If it is a whitewater boat, there's not much you can do, since you can't make the rim wider unless you are very good at welding, and even then it would void the warranty. The first boat I would look at in this case would be one of the largest Jackson Kayaks (Mon-Star, Superfun, Mega Rocker, and Super Hero come to mind). Their boats are basically stretched out for the bigger models, which means the rims also get bigger. The Superfun is at least 2" wider than most other boats ("standard" would be from 33x18 to 34.5x19.5, but the Jacksons are closer to 37x22 or so).

Depending on where you are will probably dictate which boat you get for him. If you are in the mountains, with plenty of whitewater rivers, a creekboat is a good spot to start (something with lots of "rocker", where it looks like a banana from the side, and no "edges" that may flip him upside down). If you are in a really flat area, then look more towards a recreational kayak.

If you plan on getting a recreational kayak, I would be more inclined to suggest a sit-on-top kayak like a Liquid Logic Coupe, Fluid Buddy, Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120, etc. They are more simple (less things to break), won't make him feel claustrophobic or "trapped" inside, and if he flips he can get back on it easily. The only disadvantages of them are that you can't roll them easily (if he wants to learn how to roll it back upright), and you are exposed to the elements (sun, rain, bugs, etc).

If you have any more questions, just ask!

Ian

Thanks! I def. know my husband wants a sit in kayak, that's why I got the riot kix one that I saw used. I may make the inside wider if it's possible, I can find someone to help with that. I just need to buy a skirt, better set of paddles and such.

We usually go on the lake where we go camping but I KNOW he wouldn't mind trying something a bit more rough.

That boat looks way too small volume-wise to float him at 280 lbs. If you want, you could keep it and use it, to paddle with him. Something like this would work much better, if you have the money: burlington.craigslist.org/boa/1863632296.html

There are very few boats that will fit him, so other than the ones mentioned previously, a hybrid boat might work well (which will be much better on a lake as well), such as the Liquid Logic Remix XP (one for sale above), Dagger Approach (most basic, but better than your average rec boat), Pyranha Fusion (would be my favorite, if it had a front bow pillar), and Jackson All-Water (I felt like it would be the hardest to roll, but is probably the widest as well).

Most of these are going to be less expensive than your typical whitewater kayak, but there aren't many on the second-hand market either. If he doesn't want to do anything beyond class IV, these should work great. Here's the manufacturer links for each:

pyranha.com/kayaks.php?kayak=Fusion
jacksonkayak.com/all-water-series/
liquidlogickayaks.com/remix_xp10.cfm
www.dagger.com/product/index/product_hom...roach/approach_10_0/

For your purpose, these sound like the perfect fit for what you plan to do. I want to say the Approach will be the least expensive, followed by the Fusion, Remix XP, and finally the All-Water. The Fusion is the only one with the true footblock (not pegs, but a flat foam block attached to rails that are harder to adjust, but much stronger and you can move your feet around if you get uncomfortable). The Remix probably has the most comfortable outfitting for him, although the Fusion is pretty good as well. I don't know that I would even consider the All-Water, but it may fit him a bit better.

It will be more expensive, but you get what will be a more comfortable boat, a warranty, extra outfitting to customize it, and can order it exactly how you want it (size, color).

For the rest of the gear, take a look at this page: nubiaq.wikispaces.com/New+or+Used%3F