Whether your thinking of renting a kayak or buying one, it is important that you consider the weight limit of your kayak before purchasing. Recently I was considering purchasing a playboat/freestyle kayak so I did some research to find out.
So, how much weight can a kayak hold? Well, it depends on what type of kayak you are looking to purchase. A recreational kayak can hold anywhere from 250 lbs to 300 lbs meaning it will hold most people and their equipment. A touring kayak has a weight limit of around 350 lbs while a sit-on-top kayak ranges from 350 to 400 lbs and a tandem kayak can hold 500 – 600 lbs.
Even the touring kayak will hold everything you need, including equipment, but what if you weigh 200+ lbs? Or you want to take something with you?
What happens if you exceed the weight limit on a kayak?
Most likely if you go over the weight limit the kayak will sit lower in the water exposing your self to taking on extra water or compromising your stability. It will become hard to paddle and even that could capsize you. For the best performance, you want less than 80% of your kayak sitting out the water. If it is more than this then it will become increasingly harder for you to paddle.
How to calculate what weight limit is right for you
A good rule of thumb is to subtract half of a kayak’s weight capacity and if this value is more than your weight then you will be able to paddle effectively although if your weight is below 75% of the kayaks weight limit then you can get by.
Remember you also have equipment with you to account for, so if you are close to that value you will have to get a kayak with bigger capacity.
For instance, if you weigh 120lbs the most effective weight capacity for you would be 120 ÷ 0.5 = 240lbs. Plus the weight of equipment and most recreational kayaks will be fine but with lower limits such as 250lbs beware of carrying extra luggage. In this case, a 48 galloon kayak will suit anyone up to a weight of 170lbs.
Below is a table for what weight capacity is right for you.
| Weight (lbs) | Minimum Weight Capacity | Best Weight Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 133 | 200 |
| 110 | 147 | 220 |
| 120 | 160 | 240 |
| 130 | 174 | 260 |
| 140 | 187 | 280 |
| 150 | 200 | 300 |
| 160 | 214 | 320 |
| 170 | 227 | 340 |
| 180 | 240 | 360 |
| 190 | 253 | 380 |
If you are someone who weighs more than 200lbs then finding a kayak that suits you can be hard. A 64-gallon kayak will hold a passenger who weighs up to 250lbs but not all models or brands make them.
For more information see our Top Ten Kayaks for Big Guys.
What is the weight capacity on an inflatable kayak?
Most inflatable kayaks can hold over 500lbs, easily holding 3 average-sized people and additional luggage or 2 big guys weighing 200 – 250 lbs making them very versatile. Inflatable kayaks are brilliant on lakes, slow-moving rivers and at sea, only limited by extreme white water for obvious reasons like tearing but even then they can still hold up well with smaller runs.
See our Top 5 Inflatable Kayaks 2020 for more information.
Can you increase the weight limit on a kayak?
The short answer is – no, you cannot increase the weight limit on a kayak. Attaching airbags or foam does not increase weight capacity but helps to stop you from sinking under.
Luckily most kayaks you can buy come in different sizes, each with different weight limits, so if you weigh 200+ lbs there is an option for you.