Best 3 Person Kayak for Beginners
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If you want to introduce your child to kayaking together, then a 3 Person Kayak is a great choice. The extra seat allows you to share your adventures together. Otherwise, the extra space can be used to store your additional fishing gear.
Buying your first 3 person canoe can be overwhelming for a first time buyer. Depending on your needs, there are kayaks for fishing, water rafting or camping. That is why we have spent hours researching the essential features that a 3 seat kayak should have. You will see more details why each kayak is unique and why it has landed among our top picks.
If you want to skip and get the best 3 Person Kayak, we recommend the Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3 Person Inflatable Portable Sport Kayak as the best 3 man kayak.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Persons Kayak
If you are looking for higher weight capacity, then this inflatable kayak is for you. This remarkable tandem boat is able to carry up to 3 persons. But it also can be used by an adult alone.
It is rated as one of the best kayaks for big guys, as it can take a maximum weight capacity of 650 lb. Its greater capacity means more space for your fishing, picnic or camping gear. Of course, when lugging this big craft around, the small inconvenience may be the weight, at 32 lbs.
This kayak can perform up to Class III whitewater. But based on general users’ feedback, they work better in Class II. What makes it stand out among competitors is its thick 38-millimeter PolyKrylar hull.
Its thick hull is resistant to both salt water and sun. It is also resilient enough to withstand dog paws and claws, which means you can bring your family dog along.
It is highly maneuverable with 2 molded skegs that tracks very nicely in the current and wind. Just like a surfboard, these skegs help you go faster with less paddling. This craft is well built for stability which works great in choppy waters. You will be amazed to find it difficult to turn or tip it.
One thing great about this kit, is that it has 2 movable Deluxe Kayak Seats which are well built. The back has a separate chamber and provides good back support. There are two AB30 7’10″” 4 Part Paddles with asymmetrical blade and aluminum shaft.
This kayak sets up and packs down like a dream, thanks to its 5 deluxe 1-way inflation/deflation valves. With the foot pump that comes along, it takes an average person 15 to 20 minutes to set up from the storage bag to the water. There is an open and close drain valve built in the kayak.
When you are pushed around by the wind, you can open the drainage valve. This allows some water in to add extra weight to the bottom. This is an excellent feature when used in whitewater rivers or in ocean surfing. The self-bailing valve is also useful to drain the water out, when you are back on land.
PROS
CONS
- Extremely stable
- Very roomy for storage space
- Affordable
- Super durable
- Paddles are entry level
- Heavy
This kayak is NMMA certified to take up to 490 lbs of weight which can fit in 3 adults. Being NMMA certified, means it is built to comply with industry safety and construction standards. So you can feel assured that your safety is being taken care of. The boat is light enough for 1 person to carry it on its own, thanks to its 4 handles at the bow, stern and the sides.
There are 3 adjustable seats included with inflatable cushions. If you just want to lie down and relax, just release the straps and lay down. You can use the straps on the sides to hold your paddles when you do not need to use it.
However one setback, is it does not come with paddles or pump. If you already have one, this should not be a problem, otherwise you can check out our recommended kayak paddles. Another issue is, there is no bungee rigging on the deck to store your backpacks.
It has a length of 12 feet to comfortably sit up to 2 adults and 1 child and yet stretch your legs out. Spray covers are found at the bow and stern there to keep the cockpit dry on your trip.
But after your trip, do get 2 to 3 towels to wipe down before you deflate the boat. Despite its large size, it easily packs up to 2X3 foot package. It can be carried over your shoulders in a transportable carry bag that is included with the kayak.
Its usage of heavy duty PVC, reinforced with 1000D tarpaulin bottom for its thick hull gives it exceptional strength for lake use and easy white water rafting. In case any of the air chambers are punctured, there are other chambers there to keep the kayak afloat.
So you can bring your pet dog to join you in your kayaking adventures, as the construction is tough for its use. Leaking should not be an issue as Sevlor uses Airtight Technology which guarantees no leak.
PROS
CONS
- Heavy duty PVC with reinforced 1000D tarpaulin bottom
- Sevylor Airtight Technology
- Lake and whitewater use
- Multiple air chambers
- Lightweight and compact when packed up
- Long and Spacious
- No pumps and paddles
- No bungee rigging
- Not great for solo use
This is a versatile multi purpose kayak. It is a single piece of kayak made of high density polyethylene material, which is strong to withstand chopper waters in the ocean, lake or the rivers.
The tandem kayak is spacious enough to fit 2 to 3 persons with a maximum capacity of 595 lbs, which is high compared to standard kayaks. It conveniently comes with 2 adjustable aluminium paddles making it a complete set.
There are 2 soft padded seats which you will appreciate if you are paddling for hours. If you have a 3rd person, then you probably need to get an extra seat and paddle separately.
For those who love fishing, you will be happy to know the kayak has 6 fishing rod holders, made up for 4 flush-mount rod holders and 2 articulating rod holders. This is more than enough for usage of multiple baited lines that everybody on board can use.
And when you want to take a break, you can put away your paddles on the available paddle rests to enjoy the view.
The designs are well thought out. There are 2 waterproof storage compartments , one for each seat, to store your gear for easy reach. And it comes with a bungee cargo tie down to safely hold down your waterproof backpacks and fishing accessories for a full day of fishing.
PROS
CONS
- 6 fishing rod holders
- 2 adjustable aluminium paddles
- High density polyethylene material
- Made for lake, ocean and river use
- 2 Waterproof hatch
- Need to get 3rd seat and 3rd paddle separately
This 3 seater kayak has the highest weight capacity at 796 lbs compared to the other kayaks we have recommended. It is much longer at 15 ft 3in. meaning it can accomodate 3 adults very comfortably with leg room to spare.
You will love the high seats as they are super comfortable. The 465FT Pro Package comes with 3x TBS Seats and 3x 8′ AB40 Paddles for 3 people. To use, just unroll, inflate and go. Despite its size, it weighs only 44 lbs, which is easy to transport around.
Its outer skin made of 1100 Decitex reinforced PVC material is so tough that it is not destructible, even by your dog’s nails. Although, it is completely resistant to long term exposure to sun and saltwater, remember to rinse it with clean water after your activities.
If you are a serious kayaker, this kayak is for you. It is NMMA certified, well built for safety and stability. One thing we love is the 2 top quality self-bailing air valves that are useful especially when approaching whitewater rapids. You can mount the Sea Eagle electric motors with a motor mount MMKAYAK (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SHZDXLS) to the FastTracks
What we love about this boat is its sharp bow and stern easily cuts through the waves and wind enabling it to glide with speed. Its drop stitch inflatable keel is engineered to provide buoyancy and lift to ride over waves. Because of this, the boat is able to track straight and fast compared to other kayaks. Its sleek shape, with good width at the stern and being narrow at the bow, allows it to handle really well especially on flat water.
It features a drop stitch floor construction which provides double layer of protection as well as rigidity to the boat. The solid floor certainly helps with the performance of the kayak. This layer can be removed should you need to perform thorough cleaning.
This kayak is suitable for kayakers with families who want to kayak together, or those who need to carry a long more gear.
PROS
CONS
- High weight capacity
- Drop stitch floor construction
- Drop stitch inflatable keel
- 2 self-bailing air valves
- Less affordable
This boat is a hybrid of a kayak and a fishing boat. It is narrower and longer than your average inflatable boats. It uses large 17.5″ diameter tube designs for better stability and buoyancy.
The floor of this boat is very stable, as it has a high-pressure inflatable stable deck floor. You will not have a problem standing up unless the waters are really choppy.
At 14.1 feet, it is very spacious. There are grab lines around the boat, so it is easy to sit well. There are 3 marine plywood bench seats for comfort. You can sit a maximum of 2 adults and 1 child with a weight capacity of 750 lbs.
However, one of the setbacks is, it weighs 102 lbs on its own. Thus, you will need at least 2 people to carry this kayak.
The fabric is made of 1100 Denier PVC, making it tough enough to withstand exposure to saltwater and the scorching sun. This boat can be used in the sea, lake or rivers. It should also be not a problem to have a dog in the boat as the construction of the boat is quite durable.
The advantage of getting this boat is you no longer need to rent a boat as you can take your inflatable kayak everywhere with you. Just add an electric trolling motor or gasoline motor at the back of the boat, you can drive it around easily.
You can also add a bimini top for extra shade. It is easy to set it up. It comes with a foot pump, but due to the huge size of the boat, it is recommended to get an electric pump.
PROS
CONS
- Tube design
- High weight capacity
- Stable deck floor
- Hybrid of a kayak and a fishing boat
- Storage bag easily damage
- Heavy
View More Kayak Tips
Buying Guide
Type of materials
Plastic kayaks are molded from different grades of Polyethylene resins. They are usually durable but rather heavy to transport around.
Inflatable kayaks on the other hand are getting really popular due to it being easily transportable and storage is not a problem. They are just as good as hard shell kayaks, as there are usually separate air chambers to provide extra safety to the kayaker.
The thicker the material, the more resistant it is to punctures. This is usually measured by denier count. The higher the denier count, the thicker the material. If you plan to be in whitewaters, you need a kayak that can withstand bumps down the river.
Weight Capacity
Depending on who is joining you in your kayaking activities, it is good to know the maximum capacity of your kayak. Usually a combination of 2 adults and 1 child or a pet should be fine.
Also know that the larger the kayak is, or if it is a hardshell kayak, the heavier it may be. If you do not have a kayak trailer, make sure you are comfortable to carry the kayak alone. If not, you will need a companion to assist you to carry it to the waters.
Length and Space
Usually a triple kayak would have more leg room space to accommodate 3 persons. You need a minimum of 10 foot length for 3 persons to fit in comfortably.
That would also mean extra space for your gear. So if you are planning camping trips, your kayak can accommodate more gear with its ample space. The deeper the cockpit, the more stable it is, considering you may move around a bit while in the boat.
Price
3 man kayaks are usually less affordable than solo or tandem kayaks. This is due to the need for extra research and high quality materials to produce this kind of kayak. However, if you compare to getting 3 separate solo kayaks, a solid tandem kayak is much more affordable.
Features
Having a skeg or tracking fin will help the kayak to perform well in the water. These skegs are usually retractable, removable or permanent. Retractable skegs can be raised or lowered. Removable skegs will snap into the hull of the kayak.
A permanent skeg, helps remove the worry of losing the skeg. However, if you are paddling in shallow waters, it may damage your skeg.
Summary
You will not go wrong with any of these top rated 3 seater kayaks, as they are one of the best kayaks compared to other options you see on the market. You will definitely enjoy the durability, safety, and spaciousness that it provides for a great experience. Work out your personal needs that you must have in a 3 person kayak.
We find Sea Eagle 370 Pro 3 Person Inflatable Portable Sport Kayak stands out as an excellent choice for a superb quality kayak without breaking the bank. Just bring along your 2 BFFs and you are ready to enjoy your favorite hobby.
What’s next
If you are looking to upgrade your kayak seat for better comfort, then check out our recommended Kayak Seats. Or if you are interested in inflatable kayaks, read our reviews.
I hope you enjoyed this review and if you have questions about any of the 5 best 3 seat kayaks, or want to leave your own personal review, feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
2 thoughts on “Best 3 Person Kayak for Beginners”
Amazing article. Really fun of you now. you have some nice pictures as well. Thanks for sharing this in public.
Great article and cool pictures you’ve got! 🙂