What exactly does "maximum capacity" for a kayak mean? When a kayak reaches max capacity does it sink, become very difficult to handle, float just beneath the surface of the water, or what? My expert friend says that on 8 day trips (Florida Bay and 10,000 Islands) , he probably carries 100-125# of food,water and equipment. On a 3-day weekend, he probably carries >75# of water, food, and gear. I'm trying to define what the max capacity should be for my next kayak. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Marinell asks: What exactly does "maximum capacity" for a kayak mean? It is a rough estimate of how much the boat will hold and still maintain some buoyancy and *reasonable* handling characteristics. The manufacturers are *generally* conservative on this issue and I have found that the weights they claim are relatively low. I have NOT tested this theory with ALL manufacturers. Most boats will hold a ton of weight before they actually sink. I think a good sales person, this forum, Nick's technique forum, RBP, and other "opinion machines" are a better source of info regarding safe weight capacities. The manufacturer's claims are fair to good guidelines. Steve (who deals with this on a daily basis) Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe N 45º 39' 47" 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr. W 122º 36' 16" Portland, OR 97217 Web: www.aldercreek.com Phone: 503.285.0464 Email: aldercreek_at_qwest.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 04:39 PM 12/15/01 -0800, Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe wrote: >Marinell asks: > >What exactly does "maximum capacity" for a kayak mean? > > >It is a rough estimate of how much the boat will hold and still maintain >some buoyancy and *reasonable* handling characteristics. The manufacturers >are *generally* conservative on this issue and I have found that the weights >they claim are relatively low. I have NOT tested this theory with ALL >manufacturers. Most boats will hold a ton of weight before they actually >sink. > >I think a good sales person, this forum, Nick's technique forum, RBP, and >other "opinion machines" are a better source of info regarding safe weight >capacities. The manufacturer's claims are fair to good guidelines. Second the motion. Since there are no real standards, it's pretty much someones opinion, and those opinions are notably conservative, and not to be taken as gospel. As a for-instance: My Old Town Heron was initially rated at 275 lbs, although they later upped the rating to 300. I never paddled it with a weight of less than maybe 320 lbs -- if you weigh 300, that's me, paddle, PFD, and pants and shirt, plus some odds and ends. I probably had it loaded close to 400 pounds for a trip one time. It was starting to become noticeably unresponsive at that point. -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: "Wes Boyd" <boydwe_at_dmci.net> > At 04:39 PM 12/15/01 -0800, Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe wrote: > >Marinell asks: > > > >What exactly does "maximum capacity" for a kayak mean? > > > > > >It is a rough estimate of how much the boat will hold and still maintain > >some buoyancy and *reasonable* handling characteristics.[...] > > Second the motion. Since there are no real standards, it's pretty much > someones opinion, and those opinions are notably conservative, and not to > be taken as gospel. If anyone wants my vote on a reasonable approach, I'd favor the way P&H do it. In the brochures for their kayaks, they have a graph showing the weight range that the kayak is designed for. It is easy for someone to look up the weight they plan on paddling with (ie - day paddle or overnight tripping weight) and see whether the kayak is appropriate. Having minimum weights as well as maximum reinforces the idea that a kayak can be too big and not just too small. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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