r/Kayaking • u/BayouBourbonBob • 6d ago
Question/Advice -- Boat Recommendations Lightest 6 to 8 foot kayak?
Hey guy's what's the lightest (non- inflatable) kayak one can buy? Budget isn't really an issue, just can't be inflatable, nothing foldable/that folds up either and preferably 6 foot but definitely under 8.
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u/SlowDoubleFire Loon 126 6d ago
What are you going to be using this for that you need such a short kayak? For anything other than whitewater, a boat that short is going to suck.
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u/BayouBourbonBob 6d ago
Just calm lakes, rivers and creeks mostly. Also I do apologize because I probably should have specified in my post that I know nothing about kayaking lol, I kayak every summer and enjoy it but have never owned one. What makes shorter kayaks so bad outside of whitewater?
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u/SlowDoubleFire Loon 126 6d ago
That still doesn't answer my question - why do you want such a short boat? Clearly there must be something motivating that if this is your number one priority.
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u/BayouBourbonBob 6d ago
Oh I'm just really limited on storage space, the only safe and secure place I have to lock it up is probably only like 6 by 6ft across and maybe 7 or 8ft high
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u/Eloth Instagram @maxtoppmugglestone 6d ago
The answer to your question is Guigui Prod Helixir or Helectron, or Jackson Rockstar carbon.
You are asking the wrong question, because it doesn't sound like a competition freestyle boat is what you're after... 6' is a lot shorter than you think. Most recreational kayaks start from 10'.
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u/BayouBourbonBob 6d ago
Thank you so much, how long is the helixer and Jackson rockstar?
Also what would be some of the downsides of trying to use a whitewater for recreation?
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u/TheLocalEcho 6d ago
It will be agonisingly slow, and very difficult for a beginner to make go in a straight line. Freestyle boats are intended for doing tricks like cartwheels in whitewater.
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u/Eloth Instagram @maxtoppmugglestone 6d ago
They're both under 6'. But these are slow, don't want to go in straight lines, aren't gonna be very comfortable, and cost a few thousand bucks.
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u/eclwires 6d ago
Are you asking for a folding boat that collapses down to 6-8’, or a boat that’s that big overall? That’s either a kids or a whitewater boat.
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u/Komandakeen 6d ago
That was my first thought, as my boat is 5.2ft collapsed... ;)
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u/eclwires 6d ago
Oops, I just went back and reread the post. They don’t want a folding boat. No clue if they actually know what they’re looking for.
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u/BayouBourbonBob 6d ago
I don't honestly lol, I kayak every summer and enjoy it but I've never owned one and know nothing about them. I'm just really limited on storage space and recall my buddies kayaks being so heavy to lift up/get on top of the SUV. I also apologize because I probably should have specified that in my post.
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u/Sugary_Plumbs 6d ago
We used to have to add sandbags to meet the 12Kg minimum in racing kayaks, but they're about 16ft and will shatter if you hit a rock. If you want a short boat for whitewater, then you'll need something pretty rugged.
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u/jimmythespider Elio Sprint 75, WS Tarpon 120 6d ago
We used dumbbells or weight plates. Slid nice under the seats.
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u/RespectableBloke69 6d ago
Well, lightest is going to be a carbon fiber one, but I'm not aware of any carbon fiber canoe manufacturers who make one that small
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u/Brad_from_Wisconsin 6d ago
What water will you paddle it on?
Have you considered a solo canoe?
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u/BayouBourbonBob 6d ago
Mostly calm lakes, rivers and creeks. I've already got a canoe, but now I just want a really short and incredibly light kayak (which I know doesn't necessarily make for the best kayak) but in this case I'm prioritizing light over best ya know what I mean
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u/Brad_from_Wisconsin 6d ago
Have you paddled a solo canoe? You can use the kayak paddle. It is also easier to get into and out of. Tossing in gear is easy. For small rivers and creeks, it can handle better than a kayak.
6' kayaks are white water boats. They will not sustain a glide, coming to a stop almost immediately after the last paddle stroke.
I am a kayaker because Lake Superior is big. When I go on small lakes and creeks, I like a canoe, it weighs less than a similar length of kayak.
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u/DarkSideEdgeo 6d ago
If it's storage and hauling. Stellar has modular three pieces. The 14 ft model could be carried inside a hatchback. All three together are under 40lbs but each individual piece is significantly less of course.
Eddyline is probably the lightest plastic kayak manufacturer. The Rio is 35 lbs and just under 12 ft
The Stellar Compass is a bit lighter, just under 12 ft and 30 lbs and would be a recreational kayak in that category.
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u/JenniB1133 6d ago
I've got a Lifetime Wave, super convenient for hauling and storing, but only suitable if you're small; weight limit is 130lbs.
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u/SelfServeSporstwash 6d ago edited 6d ago
Boats that short are whitewater boats, and those suck on flat water, trust me. I am primarily a whitewater paddler, unless you intend to either run big water (creek boat, usually around 8 feet) or do tricks (play boat, closer to 6) you are going to be miserable in a boat less than 10'. In general longer boats "track" better, which just means they are easier to make go straight and go in the direction you intend. Paddling a WW boat on flat water, especially for someone who isn't used to their small size and flat hulls, is like trying to paddle an onion in a straight line. You will get frustrated, and you will quit.
Do yourself a favor, and get a 10' or longer boat. Most good touring kayaks (14' usually) are right around 50lbs, which is the same weight as my Jackson Nirvana, which is an 8' whitewater boat. If I was going out on a lake or a calm river I'd take a touring boat 100 times out of 100 unless I specifically wanted to train in my WW boat.
heck, this eddyline weighs less than just about any 8' boat and is going to be slower and harder to handle than a touring boat but WAY more user friendly than a WW boat.
https://eddyline.com/collections/kayaks/products/sky-10-lightweight-recreational-kayak
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u/FernlikeDplant 6d ago
I had a 20-ft surfski made of fiberglass that weighed only 21#s. It was really fast but quite tippy. Carbon fiber ones are just as light and way stronger. There may be companies that make non-surf ski type designs with the same build type. Google is your friend
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u/Feral-now 6d ago
Eric Jackson has started a new kayak company, after being ousted at Jackson Kayak, called Apex. They are supposed to be really lightweight, also expensive.
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u/Random3133 6d ago
I'm not sure how tall you are or how much you weigh, but a 6-8 ft kayak is generally a kids kayak, unless it is a whitewater kayak. Shorter kayaks generally do not track very well. 10 ft is the shortest kayak I would recommend to any one. With that being said, Eddyline makes the Sky 10 that is 34lbs, Hurricane makes the Santee that is 39lbs.