Putting wife in the back of pro angler

Time for my first kayak and I've pretty much decided on the pro angler 12, the only problem is my wife wants to go on occasion. I figured I would strap my yeti 35 behind the seat and she could sit on it? I weight 230, and she weighs 110 pounds. My gear is probably another 20 pounds, would this be alright? It's hard to find a lot of information on this subject, but I see a lot of tandem kayaks with similar weight capacities and lengths.

Dont know where you live but also remember to check local legal requirements in regards to number of persons on a kayak not designed for that many, regardless of weight capacity.

Remember also it is not an evenly distributed load.

Dont know about the 12 but a few do it in sheltered conditions for the 14

Waverider makes accurate points about the number of persons Vs rated load......The PA-12 is rated for 1 person and 500 pounds max and the PA-14 is 1 person and 600 pounds max.

I suppose if you covered up the Hobie capacity decal, in case you were stopped, you could get away with adding your wife....but, I would think she would tire of sitting atop a cooler for an extended period of time as it has no back rest.

I know my PA-14 is very conservatively rated at 600 pounds with a 2 foot longer water line to distribute the load.
I weight 170 pounds and my great niece is 70 pounds sitting atop a heavy duty, folding beach sand chair behind me......she is comfortable and plenty of extra load capacity....my loaded stuff is about another 45 pounds.....anchor, tackle, 2 SLA batteries, down rigger , 4 pound weight, etc, etc.

If both of you are wearing PFD's, the chance of being stopped for inspection quickly decreases.

_________________
Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I am not going to get into the legality of more than one person on your PA12. I have done it quite a few times on my PA14. I use the chair from my BPS Ascend kayak behind my Vantage seat. I also have a seat from a Jackson Cuda that works well. I like the way the Bass Pro Shop seat distributes the weight better than the Jackson. I have seen others using different low-boy beach chairs.

My only issue with you using the Yeti is that she is going to be sitting pretty high in your kayak. Her behind is going to be about the level of your shoulders, and that is going to affect your center of gravity. In my opinion, the lower the passenger is to the deck, the more stable you are going to be. Again, that is why I like the BSP chair, it is low, but fairly comfortable, for a decent price. (Around $100).

Here is a picture of what I use... I just strap it in with NiteIze gear ties.

_________________
STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

First off thankyou to everyone for the reply, I was not aware that there would be legal issues with having an extra person on the kayak.
With your seat,what is the weight of your passenger and yourself?Does it affect stability too much? And what water conditions can you fish it in, your picture is pretty much what I was considering. the pro angler has so much space in the back im not sure why it cant accommodate a passenger.

I guess a proper looking seat is less likely to get attention than someone sitting on top of an esky

Wonder how a hobie vantage ct seat would go out of interest for those who happen to have a second yak with one of those already available to use?

If legalities are not an issue wonder if hobie could design some options to fit one properly with a weight restriction as a halfway to the PA17?

I am 6'1" right around 200lb. My biggest passenger has been 115lb...she is a tall drink of water at 5'10". The kayak does not peddle or ride much different in the water. Stability is a different story, and really one of perception. A lot like ridding a bike when you were a kid, with a person on the handle bars. Their movements are exaggerated. Heck, it is a lot like being in a kayak for the first time. Once you get used to their movement and they get used to yours, it is smooth peddling. I have had some 'oh (censored)' moments when they lean over and I was not expecting it. But never anything close to a dump. It is actually pretty fun and damn stable, once you get used to it.

_________________
STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

I've had multiple people in my PA 12 a few times. One about 45lbs and the other about 145lbs. The kid didn't make much difference but a 150lbs adult will do so with regards to stability. It's nothing that can't be handled but something to be aware of. In the interest of lessening the change to stability I did not go with a cooler as a seat. The higher the person sits the more effect they will have. I purchased the chair below at Target for 10 dollars. It fits right into the back and you can use the existing bungie to strap it down just fine. Works great, esp for kids!

http://www.target.com/p/low-folding-bea ... A-16334273