I’m 6ft 3in, 285 lb, 44in waist. I especially need vertical distance
from seat to thigh braces. I’m heading down in weight at about 3-5 lb
per month. I’ve taken one very basic lesson (wet exit, forward stroke,
and sweep stroke), and have about 15 hrs on the water in rented boats and
demos, and am going to the West Coast Sea Kayaking Symposium next week.
(I’d hoped to have taken a second lesson in lean turns and bracing, but
it was the last class of the Summer and I was the only one who signed up,
so it was canceled.) I’ve paddled several of the “modern American”
designs: Storm, Kodiak (I know, not American), Nighthawk 17.5, Northwest
Discover XL, etc.

Just those few days on the water, one in some wind and waves, and loosing
a couple inches in the waist has caused me to start thinking about the
Greenland designs. To my delight I found I can fit in the Sirocco, for
example, though I haven’t tried it yet on the water. My legs are splayed
out a little too much but they fit completely under the thigh braces.

I’m wanting to make a list of kayaks that meet the following criteria, so
that I can watch for them at the symposium, or stop somewhere in Portland
or Washington for a demo on my way up.

Greenland design.
Big guy fit
Total capacity of at least 350 lb.
Approx. 17 ft.
Good for expedition and day use.
Skeg.
Able to rent or demo somewhere in Oregon or Washington.

I’ve been researching on the web, including Boyd’s excellent big guy
site. Here’s what I’ve come up with.

- CD Sirocco and Gulfstream. (I’d need to lose a couple more inches to
fit well in this boat.

- Impex Assateague and Serenity. (I have high hopes for these.)

- Kajak Millenium

- Azul Triumph. (maybe not exactly a Greenland design.)

- NDK Romony Explorer HV (I suspect I won’t fit well in the cockpit.
Also, I think the total capacity is only rated around 300 lb)

Have I missed any?

Thanks in advance,

--
Paul S.