17T realistic for a really big guy?

I've been looking at the Hobie PA 17T a lot in the last few days, and I'm wondering how realistic it would be for me to try one. I'm 6'6" and currently about 420 (yes, pounds). While I am overweight, I really do have a large frame as well. I've recently lost about 40 pounds and my goal for the start of next summer is to be down in the 350-375 range. Are there any tall, 350+ owners out there? If so, what issues do you have, if any? Do the pedals/seat really adjust enough for people outside of the 99th percentile? Does the higher center of gravity make it difficult to stand up and balance?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Ron

Ron....Keep up the good work losing weight as the limiting factor lies with the Hobie Vantage seat....it's rated for 350 pounds Maximum.....the PA-17 and the PA-14 will handle your weight but the seat presently will not.....I think your height of 6'6" is okay as the Mirage drive pedal arms adjust to accommodate a wide range of heights.
I have not seen any specification Hobie has produced regarding the maximum height recommended for their Mirage or Pro Angler kayaks.

The PA-17T is the widest kayak at 43.5" and is the most stable, followed by the PA-14 at 38" wide.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

Yeah, I noticed the weight rating on the seat, that will have to be a trial and error thing. Most other camp chairs and such that are rated for 350 handle me just fine. I think in most cases they don't test any higher because of diminishing returns on the effort (How many people over 350 are likely to be customers?). I read somewhere else that the rope being used to support the seats is rated for 1000 pounds, so it shouldn't break. I'd be curious to hear from an engineer at Hobie on how the limit was determined. I can probably rig something up if it won't work, it may not be wide enough anyway. I would definitely go with the 17T even if going out by myself, I rather not push the limits of the 14 and it would be nice to be able to have enough spare capacity for another normal sized person.

Even if the rope is rated for 1000lbs, the way they have the loops woven at the ends are not rated for 1000lbs, and do not last. On my PA17T, I've had to re-tie a few of these ropes on one of the seats and I'm at the 245lb mark and 6'4".

Standing on it is so easy its unreal. And with my height, the seat at the top height, I use the pedal setting at 7, which is the last slot. Its still comfortable to pedal without causing the fins to slap the bottom of the boat.