How big is a fishing kayak?
When planning to purchase a fishing kayak, many people are interested in How big is a fishing kayak? To see if they can fit the boat, if their garage can store it, or if their car can transport it.
Fishing kayaks range in length from 8.5 to 17 feet (including tandem or 3-persons kayaks), wide from 28 to 42 inches, and weigh between 25 and more than 100 pounds. Each size will be suitable for different uses.
How big is a fishing kayak for all sizes?
Length
Typically, a single fishing kayak is usually 10-12 feet long. Longer lengths are usually tandems for 2 or 3 people.
The length of the kayaks represents their ability to cut through the water.
The longer the kayaks, the better the tracking and the faster the speed. They are suitable when fishing in large areas where long distances need performing.
The shorter the kayaks, the better the maneuverability, suitable for narrow or obstructed areas such as tight rivers and creeks.
Width
Fishing kayaks are always more than 30 inches wide to provide stability.
The width not only affects the stability but also affects the speed of the boat.
The wider the kayaks, the higher the stability, but the slower the speed.
Therefore you need to balance the length-width ratio of the boat to your intended use.
You will need a wide kayak for a good balance in rough water or want to stand on the boat to fish.
Weight
The weight of boats depends on their materials and dimensions. The lighter the material, the more expensive it is. The larger the size, the heavier the boat.
Weight affects kayaks in two ways, both onshore and in the water.
Either way, no one wants heavy kayaks.
Onshore, the weight of the kayaks will affect their transport and lifting. The heavier the boat, the harder it is to transport, and the harder it is to carry them from the car to the water. However, nowadays, many pieces of equipment can help you with this concern, such as carts, trolleys, trailers, roof racks, and side loader racks.
Underwater, the hard weight will cause it to sit deeper into the water, making paddling less easy. You will have difficulty turning or moving it.
Lightweight boats are always favored because they are easier to transport, lift, carry and perform more efficiently on water. Of course, lightweight materials that still ensure durability come with a price tag.
How to Measure the Kayak
Want to know How big is a fishing kayak? But no manufacturer’s number. Read on to see how to measure them.
Length
There are two ways to measure the length of a kayak.
The first way is to measure from bow to stern. It will start from the very tip of the bow to the very end of the stern, rear. It’s called length overall (LOA). This number is the length announced by the manufacturer.
The second way is the length at the water line (LWL), we measure the bottom of the boat, the surface in touch with the water. This figure shows the tracking and speed of the kayak. It’s called displacement length.
Width
Similarly, we also have two ways to measure the kayak width.
The first way is to measure the beam. The beam is the widest part of the boat. This number will represent the space on your boat. Show whether your seat is comfortable.
Combined with the length indicates the ability to contain gear on the boat.
The second way is to measure the bottom of the boat. This number is usually smaller than the above, but it is necessary to represent stability.
Length-to-beam ratio
Another firgure you need to pay attention to, and I have mentioned many times, is the length-to-beam ratio. This ratio helps you choose a kayak that can balance speed, tracking, maneuverability, and stability.
This ratio is the kayak’s length of water contact divided by the kayak’s water contact width.
With a fishing kayak, this should be around 6:1.
Size of some kayaks
Fishing kayaks come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, sizes, weights, and manufacturers. Below I will list some kayaks with their sizes in order from small to large for your reference.
Vanhunks Manatee: Length: 9′, Width: 32″, Height: 12″, Weight: 51 lbs.
Perception Flash 9.5: Length: 9′ 6″, Width: 28.5″, Height: 12.5″, Weight: 41 lbs
Old Town Sportsman 106: Length: 10′ 6″, Width: 34.5″, Weight: 73 lbs
Reel Yaks Pedal Kayak Fishing Angler 110: Length: 11′, Width: 34″, Height: 16″, Weight: 62 lbs
BKC PK12: Length: 12′, Width: 32.75″, Weight: 78 lbs
BKC TK122U 12′ 6″ Tandem: Length: 12’8″, Width: 34″, Height: 17″, Weight: 74 lbs
Wilderness Systems Radar 135: Length: 13′ 6″, Width: 33.5″, Height: 15.5″, Weight: 90 lbs
Malibu Kayaks X-Factor 14′: Length: 14′, Width: 33″, Height: 13″, Weight: 115 lbs
Conclusion
So, I have just given you an overview of How big is a fishing kayak?
If you’d like to know more about the best-size kayak for fishing, we’ve got a post about that too.
Good luck finding a kayak you like.
Thanks for reading our article. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. You can see more posts on our website here.
Further reading
How Much Weight Can a Fishing Kayak Hold?