Straight Up Kayaks - Is there a weight limit for canoes?

Is there a weight limit for canoes?

Can a person that is big but not so big get in a canoe.(someone that is like 250 pounds)

Public Comments

YES, each kayak and canoe has weight limits, to find this look on the manufactures website, its usually tells you there.
There's no set weight limit for all canoes. The limit depends on each canoe, and further research would have to be done into the specific canoe.
whenever the water comes over the top...then something needs to leave the canoe
if you are in a 10 foot deep area of a river, and you are scraping bottom, you have exceeded the weight limit of the canoe.
A 250-pound paddler is not problem at all. I see hunters out on the Kenai Wilderness Canoe Trails and, well, a lot of guys get pretty old, fat and white before than can afford an Alaskan trip. The guy who literally wrote the (guide) book on the trails is 260# or so. Get knee pads (sold for valloeyball players). It is a fair bit of weight to take on your knees all day. Most canoes have two seats with the third or fourth person on their kness leaning against a thwart or yoke. Of course, you'll be working at paddling and possibly portaging the canoe and schlepping stuff to and from the vehicles, so it can be a workout, but lots of big people are pretty muscular inside. All canoes have a weight limit, around 750-850 pounds for a 14-15 footer and 1000-1200 for a 17 footer. Look on the manufacturer's website or call a retailer to find out. That assumes a 4-inch "freeboard" - the minimum distance between flat water and the gunwhales. In rough water or in wind-blown chop, you want a little more freeboard, less total weight. Also a boat full of beginners or children tends to rock more and then being higher and drier is more comforting.
250 lb is not a problem at all. We go on trips with wife, dog and me and whole lot of gears. We must have weighted around 600 lbs on our 18' fiber. We only take about 2 inches of water. But one suggestion is that for bigger guys... you need to kneel rather than seat. You will find yourselves more secure this way. Heavy weight=Flip over.
every canoe/kyak has a weight limit. you will just have to get one that can hold you and a couple of friends, in case you choose not to go alone.