How Much Does a Kayak Weigh? | Types and Materials Comparison

Weight is a very important buying factor that cannot be ignored while purchasing a kayak.

How much does a kayak weigh? It’s a very common question that we are going to answer today in this article. As we all know that kayaks are classified into several types, some kayaks are made from tough materials that make them heavier while some are made from lightweight materials.

However; the average weight of a kayak around 35 pounds, but it can go up to 120 pounds depending upon the type.

The weight of the kayak also depends for what purpose you are planning to use it, for calm waters, a lightweight kayak works perfectly well.

Materials & Kayak’s Weight

The construction material of a kayak is a very important factor that affects the kayak’s weight. Kayaks are made from different materials; we will try to explain the average weight of kayaks according to their construction materials.

Plastic

Plastic made kayaks are cheaper but they are usually heavy due to their construction. Plastic or Polyethylene materials are tough, that’s why kayaks that are made with plastic materials are usually heavy.

However; these kayaks are much more stable due to their weight, if you are planning to buy a kayak for challenging water conditions, then you must go for a heavyweight.

Fiberglass

The kayaks which are made from fiberglass materials are usually lightweight as compared to those constructed with plastic materials. Fiberglass kayaks are one of the best mid-weight options to consider, these kayaks are not lightweight but they are surely much more stable and safer than extremely lightweight kayaks.

Wooden

Wooden made kayaks offer excellent durability, wood is usually a very tough and strong material. Wooden kayaks are much heavier as compared to other popular types.

Composite

Composite materials are pretty common because it’s a highly advanced material which is not only lightweight but also good at easy manoeuvring. However; kayaks that are made with composite materials are usually much more expensive than any other type but it’s a worthy investment for sure.

How Much Does a Fishing Kayak Weigh?

The weight of fishing kayaks is usually different from other types. However; on average, a fishing kayak can weigh around 35 pounds to 120 pounds but it also depends on brand and material.

A reliable fishing kayak should weigh around 60 pounds especially if you are more concerned about durability and stability. The marketplace is currently crowded with hundreds of fishing kayak models; you should choose the most perfect model that can serve your purpose the best.

How Much Does a Sea Kayak Weigh?

Sea kayaks are heavyweight because are specially designed with durable materials for tough conditions. As we all know that sea kayaks are frequently exposed to harsh water waves, that’s why they are constructed with heavy materials for additional stability. If we talk about the average weight of a sea kayak, it can start from 60 pounds to 120 pounds.

How Much Does a Hobie Kayak Weigh?

Hobie Kayaks are usually much heavier than recreational kayaks. Even though the average weight of every kayak is almost the same, but if we particularly talk about Hobie kayaks, it usually starts from 60 pounds and above.

However; Hobie kayaks are also very versatile when it comes to weight, you can find yourself the best Hobie kayaks according to your needs.

How Much Does a Single Person Kayak Weigh?

The weight of a single-person kayak starts from 35 pounds on average but it can also go up to 50 pounds. It also depends on the material and accessories as they can add more weight to a kayak.

As you can also assume from its name, single person kayak is lighter in weight as it’s only designed for one person. Moreover; the cost of a single-person kayak is also very less as compared to those kayaks that can accommodate multiple persons.

Kayak Types & Weight

Inflatable Kayaks

Inflatable kayaks are lightweight, as we all know that inflatable kayaks are filled with air, that’s why they are much lighter in weight. Inflatable kayaks are made from PVC materials that have very little weight as compared to other kayak types. On average, an inflatable kayak weighs around 30 pounds and surprisingly inflatable kayaks are almost equally durable as other types.

Rotomolded Kayaks

Rotomolded kayaks are unique as they are made with molded plastic material. A molded frame is designed when the plastic is melted at a certain temperature and then molded to the shape of a kayak. Due to plastic, these kayaks are heavy but not expensive though. You can easily find a reliable rotomolded kayak at a very affordable price tag.

Thermoform Kayaks

Thermoform kayaks resemble plastic material but there is a lot of difference in their construction. However; if we compare thermoform kayaks with other types such as rotomolded kayaks, they are much lighter in weight with impressive durability and a longer lifespan. Moreover; thermoform kayaks are available at a very affordable price tag.

How to Find Kayak’s Weight?

If you want to find out the weight of a kayak, there are many easy methods to do so. Even though the best way is to check out the user manual of your kayak, you will find the exact weight of your kayak which will be mentioned in the user manual.

However; the weight is usually not mentioned in every manual, that’s why we are going to discuss some alternate methods of finding out the kayak weight precisely.

Internet

One of the most convenient ways to find out the exact weight of your kayak is by visiting the official website of the manufacturer. On the website, you will find the complete specifications of your kayak along with its weight.

Offline Stores

If you are still unable to find out the exact weight of your kayak, then the only rescue available for you is offline stores. You can visit any nearby kayak store and the respectable person will let you know all the details that you are looking for.

Why Weight is Important?

Have you ever thought of why everyone is so concerned with kayak’s weight? Well, there are many reasons behind this concern that we are going to discuss here.

Weight is one of the most crucial buying factors that can directly affect the performance and reliability of a kayak. Lightweight kayaks are much more convenient to carry and transport from one place to another.

On the other hand, heavyweight kayaks usually require a lot of resources and efforts for moving them. If you are planning to transport your kayak on top of your car rack, it will take a lot of effort for lifting the kayak and then again unloading it after reaching the destination.

This whole process will not only drain your energy but it will also waste a lot of your precious time that you were going to spend on paddling.

Another important reason for knowing how much does a kayak weigh is convenient storage, a lightweight kayak is usually much easier to store anywhere you want. On the other side, a heavy-weight kayak usually requires a lot of storage space which might be uncomfortable for many people.

However; weight isn’t something too bad always, heavy kayaks also offer remarkable stability that can easily tackle the bad weather conditions especially while paddling through rivers and seas.

Remember, your ultimate decision regarding the weight of a kayak should be based on your requirements. If you are more comfortable with a heavyweight kayak, then there is no need to compromise your safety and requirements just for the sake of market trend.

The weight of a kayak is directly associated with several safety hazards, you should be cautious while making any decision.

Kayak Weight & Safety

How much does a kayak weigh is very crucial for safety if we look at all the things from a safety point of view; weight plays a vital role in the stability of the kayak. Without proper stability, you cannot paddle on a kayak safely as unstable kayaks are at more risk of getting into an accident or any other dangerous situation. 

If you are a beginner and you have never done kayaking before, you must try heavy models as they offer much greater stability and grip. Stability will also save you from tough water conditions as compared to lightweight kayaks that are quite difficult to control.

Conclusion:

We hope our detailed article on how much do kayaks weigh has provided you with enough information regarding this topic. We have tried our utmost to discuss the most authentic information based on logical facts.

If you are looking for the best inflatable kayak available on the market but still you are puzzled between weight and quality, you must carefully read this article without skipping any single word. We are quite confident that it will become easier for you to find the most appropriate kayak without any hassles.

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