

In that case, you’ll have to go with the Catch 130 Hydryve II from Pelican Kayaks.īoth Lifetime and Pelican offer sit-on-top kayaks and sit-inside kayaks. If you are looking for one of the best kayaks for big guys and big gals, you’ll want something with as much cargo capacity as possible. It is noteworthy that all the kayaks for both of these brands that have the highest cargo capacities are built for kayak fishing. Pelican’s kayak with the most cargo capacity can hold up to 500 pounds. The most rugged fishing kayak made by Lifetime Kayaks can handle up to 375 pounds of cargo. The cargo capacities for all kayaks made by Pelican and Lifetime are going to range from roughly 300 pounds up to roughly 500 pounds. Photo by Aekchai Doungdee via Shutterstock Because both companies have plenty of options between the minimum and maximum weights listed above, we’re going to call this one a push. Having a heavier kayak usually means you have more features and accessories for something like kayak fishing and it’s not too much of a detriment if you get a kayak cart for rough terrain. Lifetime’s lightest kids kayak also weighs in at 19 pounds, but their heaviest fishing kayak tops out at 101.5 pounds. The lightest kayak for kids that Pelican makes weighs just 19 pounds and the heaviest model we located on their site weighs 78 pounds. Photo by Elizaveta Galitckaia via Shutterstock So we’re giving the edge to Pelican for making some of the only kayaks we’ve ever seen that can be run over and still retain their usefulness. The anti-UV properties in the polyethylene material used in Lifetime’s kayaks are pretty standard in the industry.

This means they are less likely to break down over time if left exposed to the sun (but you should use an outdoor storage bag when keeping your kayak outside for any extended period of time). Lifetime kayaks, on the other hand, are made with solid polyethylene materials that boast anti-UV properties. In fact, Pelican even runs over some of their kayaks with a Jeep to show how well they can handle a beating while still retaining their ability to be popped back into shape and placed back in the water. Pelican kayaks are manufactured using proprietary RAM-X and Poly-XR materials that provide excellent durability while also allowing them to regain their shape if dented by heavy impacts. This is the best place to start when you’re evaluating the durability of Pelican vs Lifetime Kayaks.

Let’s highlight those differences briefly here: Kayak Construction While Pelican and Lifetime kayaks are both great choices for many types of kayak lovers, there are some important differences between these two kayak brands and how they make their paddlecraft. Photo by Joice Brinkerhoff via Shutterstock
