Hi While watching your video, you mentioned a larger handle for lifting the back of your yak. You might want to consider buying Hobie PA rear handle from ACK and installing onto your kayak, I think it is very doable.
I know exactly what you mean! I'm not saying it won't happen; just saying I haven't seen the work-weld signs yet. When it does i'll probably weld in some alum gussets at the corners. Not everyone can do that, but it'll be my solution if and when it comes to that. Enjoy the water!
Thank You for making a big guy video. I’m 6’6 350 and find the weight limits on most boats are ridiculous. You need to spend $2500 or more to find something that will comfortably hold you and gear so it’s nice to see you can get a boat for $1000 or less. You got a great deal again thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it. I've never personally paddled the 14PA. I'd like to, but I'd be in a world of trouble if I tried to take it where I go. Our local river is 200 feet wide at points, but in late summer it's routinely 5-8" deep all the way across in some parts. I'd have a really expensive highly damaged hull and drive system!
Great video man....I'm torn between the BigRig or FeelFree lure 13. I'm a big guy and want a comfortable seat and like the open floor on the Lure. What's your opinion? River fish only
Robert5 Davis My only "complaint" about the big rig is what you just alluded to; the floor could be more open at your feet. The drink holder/ nalgene slot is completely useless and would be MUCH better if it were flat there like the Lure. That said, I regularly use my rear hatch on longer floats and would really miss having thru-access to below deck. The seat on the big rig is amazing, literally all day, multi-day comfort, but I've been told the Lure is just as good. I like the idea of a seat that can be higher for standing and sitting too. I stand a lot, but sit the moment I catch something. I guess I could replace my seat with a cooler for height, but then what's the point of the awesomely comfy seat?? I digress. They're both awesome. Buy them all.
I just bought a Jackson Big Rig but it didn't come with the Stand up bar. Is there a way I can buy the one that usually comes on the Jackson Big rrg separately?
So you've had the kayak 10months still feel good about purchase? I'm a big guy also those aluminum seat frames look awfully flimsy on all that I've looked at. Great vids by the way
I couldn't be happier with it. Full disclosure: I fully fully fully expect to replace and/or repair the seat. It's not that flimsy; I just stand and sit dozens of times each trip and so my heavy-ass slams down into it. That said there's no wear on it as of my trip yesterday. It really is a great boat for what I use it for.
Great Review. I'm 6'5" 300# and I have been Eyeballing the BR pretty hard. I fish mainly Rivers in my current Eagle Talon and I'm looking to upgrade. I am glad to hear about the "real" weight limit on this one and I agree with you on other yaks "weight limits" being off. I sometimes go on longer floats where I have to go over some rapids (nothing too drastic but I do have to navigate rocks and sudden shallow rapids) how do you think the BR would handle rapids like that?
Not an issue at all. First of all, the draft on this thing is like 4.5" with 350-375 pounds on the boat, so you don't hit much. I do almost all rivers. Don't get me a wrong, it's a 38" wide, 13ft long, 100 pound boat. That said, I routinely go through class I and some class II. What you're describing would be class I. This thing is fine. It actually moves better than what I thought it would, especially after the first couple of strokes and you get it moving. The hull is really well designed; I don't have a problem keeping up with thinner-beam boats provided we aren't actually racing. Paddling and fishing though is not a problem at all, and the rivers I fish are littered with trees and rocks that I have to navigate around. You won't go wrong with this boat.
I've paddled the Mayfly and I love it, but there's no way I'd buy it if i already owned the Big Rig. They're reeaaaallllllyyyy similar boats unless you just want to start a collection!
connorrice44 - thank you for your comments, How far do you paddle in yours? I have amBig Rig coming next year and really hope that I can do some miles along the coast without issues. Cheers
I won't be a good one to give you a number if you're doing coastal stuff. I'm almost always in rivers, so I can tell you I've gone 20 miles on long, sun-up to sundown days, but that'd be grossly mischaracterizing how much of that I've actually *paddled*. Don't get me wrong; I paddle in small lakes too and it's great, but I'm talking a mile here, fish, then maybe several hundred yards over there, fish, etc etc. I've never gone *miles* in non-current water. That said, when I've paddled a few miles in lakes over the course of several hours, it's been fine. It takes effort to get up to speed, but once at speed it's not bad at all, and any inefficiency caused by a 38" beam is more than offset by my fat ass being able to dance a jig on it if I wanted to.
I've had over 400lbs in this boat several times and it handled it well. Caveat there is it was my 320 in the seat with 80-100 pounds spread around on the deck and in the hull, with a lot of it below the waterline in the hull. I believe it would do it; I believe eventually you would need to replace the seat because the aluminum would crack or you'd work-wear the plastic where the chair hits the deck (I believe at some point I'll have to at 320 as well, FWIW, which is okay). I think you'd be better served by a Big Tuna though if you don't mind the extra foot in length. They have a higher capacity still than the Big Rig and they're faster.
BigFellaGear.com Thanks for the reply! Im on my journey for weight loss, and am already 30lbs down. After doing more research, I think I'm going to go with the Nucanoe Frontier 12
They make a great boat. Two things to be aware of on that one (not that you haven't thought of this but figured I'd point it out): It's even wider and flatter than the Big Rig, so holy smokes I hope you have some current if you're going far. NuCanoe makes awesome stuff, so I'm sure it's well designed, but a 41" beam on 3-5" draft in a 12' boat is the actual, textbook definition of a barge. The other would be that it only self-bails to 350, which means you'll likely be plugging the scuppers or at a minimum getting some high quality valves. I don't say that to bash NuCanoe, so please don't take it that way, just be aware that when you get your weight capacity in width and tunnel hulls instead of length and volume, you're gonna be slow slow slow. Happy paddling regardless of what you choose and best of luck on the body change. Derrick
thanks great review nice to hear an honest review from another big guy
I have the same one same color and I loved congrats on you're new kayak 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Appreciated your level of detail.
I'm a big 'un too and I've been looking at the Big Rig and the Wilderness Systems Atak. Great vid!
Dude kick ass video awesome info for big yaks
Thank for great vid, I am 275 and my catch 120 is comfy but I have a problem standing, feels topheavy...I will keep an eye out for one of these
Great review.
Hi
While watching your video, you mentioned a larger handle for lifting the back of your yak.
You might want to consider buying Hobie PA rear handle from ACK and installing onto your kayak, I think it is very doable.
Thanks for the quick response I've done the broken camp chairs and rattan furniture so I'm sure you know what I mean :)
I know exactly what you mean! I'm not saying it won't happen; just saying I haven't seen the work-weld signs yet. When it does i'll probably weld in some alum gussets at the corners. Not everyone can do that, but it'll be my solution if and when it comes to that. Enjoy the water!
Thank You for making a big guy video. I’m 6’6 350 and find the weight limits on most boats are ridiculous. You need to spend $2500 or more to find something that will comfortably hold you and gear so it’s nice to see you can get a boat for $1000 or less. You got a great deal again thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it. I've never personally paddled the 14PA. I'd like to, but I'd be in a world of trouble if I tried to take it where I go. Our local river is 200 feet wide at points, but in late summer it's routinely 5-8" deep all the way across in some parts. I'd have a really expensive highly damaged hull and drive system!
Great video man....I'm torn between the BigRig or FeelFree lure 13. I'm a big guy and want a comfortable seat and like the open floor on the Lure. What's your opinion? River fish only
Robert5 Davis My only "complaint" about the big rig is what you just alluded to; the floor could be more open at your feet. The drink holder/ nalgene slot is completely useless and would be MUCH better if it were flat there like the Lure. That said, I regularly use my rear hatch on longer floats and would really miss having thru-access to below deck. The seat on the big rig is amazing, literally all day, multi-day comfort, but I've been told the Lure is just as good. I like the idea of a seat that can be higher for standing and sitting too. I stand a lot, but sit the moment I catch something. I guess I could replace my seat with a cooler for height, but then what's the point of the awesomely comfy seat?? I digress. They're both awesome. Buy them all.
I just bought a Jackson Big Rig but it didn't come with the Stand up bar. Is there a way I can buy the one that usually comes on the Jackson Big rrg separately?
So you've had the kayak 10months still feel good about purchase? I'm a big guy also those aluminum seat frames look awfully flimsy on all that I've looked at. Great vids by the way
I couldn't be happier with it. Full disclosure: I fully fully fully expect to replace and/or repair the seat. It's not that flimsy; I just stand and sit dozens of times each trip and so my heavy-ass slams down into it. That said there's no wear on it as of my trip yesterday. It really is a great boat for what I use it for.
Great Review. I'm 6'5" 300# and I have been Eyeballing the BR pretty hard. I fish mainly Rivers in my current Eagle Talon and I'm looking to upgrade. I am glad to hear about the "real" weight limit on this one and I agree with you on other yaks "weight limits" being off. I sometimes go on longer floats where I have to go over some rapids (nothing too drastic but I do have to navigate rocks and sudden shallow rapids) how do you think the BR would handle rapids like that?
Not an issue at all. First of all, the draft on this thing is like 4.5" with 350-375 pounds on the boat, so you don't hit much. I do almost all rivers. Don't get me a wrong, it's a 38" wide, 13ft long, 100 pound boat. That said, I routinely go through class I and some class II. What you're describing would be class I. This thing is fine. It actually moves better than what I thought it would, especially after the first couple of strokes and you get it moving. The hull is really well designed; I don't have a problem keeping up with thinner-beam boats provided we aren't actually racing. Paddling and fishing though is not a problem at all, and the rivers I fish are littered with trees and rocks that I have to navigate around. You won't go wrong with this boat.
I've paddled the Mayfly and I love it, but there's no way I'd buy it if i already owned the Big Rig. They're reeaaaallllllyyyy similar boats unless you just want to start a collection!
connorrice44 - thank you for your comments, How far do you paddle in yours? I have amBig Rig coming next year and really hope that I can do some miles along the coast without issues. Cheers
I won't be a good one to give you a number if you're doing coastal stuff. I'm almost always in rivers, so I can tell you I've gone 20 miles on long, sun-up to sundown days, but that'd be grossly mischaracterizing how much of that I've actually *paddled*. Don't get me wrong; I paddle in small lakes too and it's great, but I'm talking a mile here, fish, then maybe several hundred yards over there, fish, etc etc. I've never gone *miles* in non-current water. That said, when I've paddled a few miles in lakes over the course of several hours, it's been fine. It takes effort to get up to speed, but once at speed it's not bad at all, and any inefficiency caused by a 38" beam is more than offset by my fat ass being able to dance a jig on it if I wanted to.
So this would be a perfect kayak for a 320# fisherman??
I'm 6'6 and 390 is this worth getting or am I pontoon boat bound ?
You'd be close. You'd have to just go sit in one and paddle. I've been at 400 with gear many, many times.
Which would you recommend? Vig Rig or the Big Tuna?
Winamac Boiler Thanks for getting back to me. I'm 6'7" 1/2 265lbs and looking for a Kayak for fishing.
Winamac Boiler I like the stand up assist bar on the Big Rig. I got hip and knee problems.
Well man im 425 and I have that same model and I don’t have any water on mine.
How do you think it would a 400lb man with minimal gear?
I've had over 400lbs in this boat several times and it handled it well. Caveat there is it was my 320 in the seat with 80-100 pounds spread around on the deck and in the hull, with a lot of it below the waterline in the hull. I believe it would do it; I believe eventually you would need to replace the seat because the aluminum would crack or you'd work-wear the plastic where the chair hits the deck (I believe at some point I'll have to at 320 as well, FWIW, which is okay). I think you'd be better served by a Big Tuna though if you don't mind the extra foot in length. They have a higher capacity still than the Big Rig and they're faster.
BigFellaGear.com Thanks for the reply! Im on my journey for weight loss, and am already 30lbs down. After doing more research, I think I'm going to go with the Nucanoe Frontier 12
They make a great boat. Two things to be aware of on that one (not that you haven't thought of this but figured I'd point it out): It's even wider and flatter than the Big Rig, so holy smokes I hope you have some current if you're going far. NuCanoe makes awesome stuff, so I'm sure it's well designed, but a 41" beam on 3-5" draft in a 12' boat is the actual, textbook definition of a barge. The other would be that it only self-bails to 350, which means you'll likely be plugging the scuppers or at a minimum getting some high quality valves.
I don't say that to bash NuCanoe, so please don't take it that way, just be aware that when you get your weight capacity in width and tunnel hulls instead of length and volume, you're gonna be slow slow slow.
Happy paddling regardless of what you choose and best of luck on the body change.
Derrick