Best Kayak Outriggers & Stabilizers: The Top 7 Picks
Sometimes when you're kayaking, it can be difficult to keep stable and balanced when you're out on the waves. If you're in a particularly thin kayak with minimal surface area, you can find yourself struggling with balance and find your boat rocking, especially when the sea starts to get rough!
If this is a situation you find you're dealing with often and you're concerned about accidental capsizing, then look no further.
Outriggers and stabilizers are the best way to aid kayakers in their balance on the water and minimize the possibility of capsizing or rolling. They do this by increasing the buoyancy of the boat and adding to the surface area touching the water. It basically looks like you've added some side floats to your kayak, which may essentially be the difference between a fun, easy-going kayaking trip complete with packed lunch on the water and a choppy unstable paddle resulting in soggy sandwiches.
In this buying guide, we want to make sure you find the best kayak outriggers on the market and find the best kayak stabilizer for you!
What is a Kayak Outrigger/Stabilizer and Why Do I Need One?
Whether you're a kayaking expert or new to the world of paddling, a kayak outrigger kit can be the perfect solution to stabilizing your boat on choppy waters, and here's why.
Stability
Outriggers offer a higher level of stability to your kayak, not to mention security and peace of mind for the paddler. Increased stability means a lower likelihood of capsizing or rocking the boat. They work by adding two pontoons or floats to either side of the kayak.
Sails
A sail can be a great way of adding some versatility to your kayak as it can enable more prolonged, more exciting paddles. However, before you think about sailing away into the sunset, it will be difficult for your kayak to handle much sail without a keel.
Keels
The keels are the long, weighted blades under a sailboat's hull. They provide an essential counterbalance to the strong wind on the sail. Kayaks don't tend to come with keels which is another reason why outriggers for kayaks are a great option to provide the stability you'll need out on the water and keep you balanced while making use of the breeze.
Angling
Say you have a recreational kayak and want to start fishing from it on your future paddling adventures. Many anglers find casting a line while seated in a kayak pretty tricky, which is why they tend to opt for a standing position to cast from. However, trying to stand up in most recreational kayaks is nearly impossible without imbalance and, in worse cases, a damp journey home. The easy fix is to invest in some kayak stabilizers to stabilize your boat.
Tall or Heavy Kayakers
If you are a tall or heavy kayaker or angler, then you already know what the problem is. However, for those that don't know, here is an explanation. When you are a taller or heavier kayaker, the boat becomes more unstable because the kayak becomes top-heavy. More of the weight inside the boat is sticking out the top. Stabilizers for kayaks can be an excellent accessory to allow you to remain balanced and even stand up while fishing.
Beginners
When you're a beginner paddler, you might find it difficult at first to balance a kayak. This is why we tend to recommend short wide boats for beginners as they remain more stable because there is more surface area touching the water, but perhaps you've been given a second-hand kayak or found yourself with a thinner boat somehow. This is where an outrigger can be used as a sort of training wheels stabilizer for your kayak.
Inflatable vs Rigid Kayak Outrigger Kits
There is no wrong or right answer in what kind of outrigger you choose, but there are some advantages and disadvantages to both types, the final decision is up to you.
Inflatable
Inflatable outriggers and stabilizers are made using a bladder inside a more rigid exterior material. They are designed to be blown up before you hit the water. The advantage is that they are transportable and easy to store when deflated. They are also easy to inflate and deflate. The disadvantage, however, is that the exterior shell, although designed to be durable, can be punctured.
Rigid Outriggers
These outrigger and stabilizers use hardshell PVC solid floats to aid buoyancy. The advantages include durability as they are not able to be popped or burst. The disadvantage is that there is no way to make them more compact to store.
Do Kayak Outriggers Slow You Down?
Unfortunately, a kayak stabilizer or outrigger does slow your kayak down. A kayak stabilizer increases the amount of water surface area you touch when paddling and therefore makes your kayak slower on the water. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to help that. It's just basic physics!
The 7 Best Kayak Outriggers
Pick up your paddles and get ready to stabilize your kayaks because we are going to share with you our top picks for the best kayak outriggers and stabilizers on the market today.
1. Sidekick Ama Outrigger System by Hobie
This Sidekick Ama kayak stabilizer system wants to make sure you feel confident to install the outrigger kit using their mounting hardware. They have planned every last instruction to the letter, which means all you're required to do is turn up with a drill, measure up and attach your kayak outrigger kit, following each instruction step by step.
The Hobie Sidekick kayak stabilizer system consists of a metal crossbar installed behind the cockpit and two outriggers on the mounts' ends, which are detachable and adjustable. They can be adjusted to low, medium, or high settings, and the bladders only need a few big puffs to fill up with an easy and quick deflation for the end of your paddle or kayak fishing trip.
The best kayak outrigger or fishing kayak outrigger will provide enough balance for the paddler to stand in their boat. This Hobie Sidekick Ama outrigger system does precisely that, providing excellent durability and balance on the water, making it perfect for any angler concerned about puncturing their outrigger system. At the same time, they cast their line with confidence that you won't be swimming with the fish!
This stabilizer system is at the higher end of the price range. This kayak stabilizer comes with two PVC-lined inflatable floats, easily inflated in a few minutes. The mounting hardware consists of two 28" arms made from anodized aluminum, four locking combination kayak deck or side mounts, and for the anglers out their some convenient rod holders making this a perfect option if you're searching for kayak fishing outriggers. In fact, Scotty is a trusted brand for outriggers and rod holders alike and more than able to withstand an angler standing to cast a line, so perhaps this is one of the best kayak outrigger systems for fishing on the market.
The kayak outrigger offers 30 lbs of additional buoyancy on either side of your kayak. The kayak outrigger system's install is quickly achieved with side and or deck bracket mounts to attach to your kayak. Furthermore, these kayak outriggers can be easily adjusted and detached should you change your setup.
Kayaks with outriggers should be hard-pressed to capsize or turn the boat over, which is precisely what the Brocraft stabilizer system prevents. This kayak stabilizer kit comes with molded PVC floaties attached using 32" polished aluminum arms. They are sufficient and work well with a straightforward design with the added bonus of working as rod holders! These rod holders will allow you to fish hands-free and further enjoying your 'yaking experience!
The arms are fully adjustable, and you can choose to attach them in two different ways using either the kayak track option or the deck mounting hardware. The kayak track option is only useful if you have kayak tracks on your kayak, making for super easy installation. However, the deck mounting system is only slightly more difficult because you would have to drill four holes into the kayak deck, but it's not complicated.
The best thing about these outriggers is their durability and robust quality guaranteeing a peaceful mind when it comes to angler's worries about puncturing inflatable cheap kayak outriggers. The best kayak outriggers available now will leave you with no concerns about the product's longevity.
These kayak outriggers are easy to install, providing a safety net for any rocking and toppling your kayak may threaten to do on choppy seas.
Whether you choose to stand or sit in your boat, this kayak stabilizer system will keep you stable, afloat, and, best of all, inside your kayak!
YakGear outriggers are attached using the stainless steel RAILBLAZA starport mounting system. The stabilizers can be detached at any time to aid in the transport of your kayak when out of the water, leaving only the RAILBLAZA base on the kayak. The kayak stabilizer kit comes with two outriggers for either side of the kayak, and the adjustable stainless steel outrigger arms are 30" and provide the stability you need from outriggers.
If you're looking for outriggers that are the definition of convenience, then look no further. You'll be able to paddle until your heart is content with these inflatable outriggers.
The Medixi PVC outriggers could not be easier to install. It's very easy to inflate these bad boys and head out to sea with a couple of breaths, there is no need to bring along a pump. Their inflatable nature also makes the pontoons more compact for storing them when you're not out paddling.
These stabilizers prove impressive durability for something that you would assume could puncture quite easily. These inflatable kayaks are made using a sturdy vinyl material which makes them able to take on any sharp rocks or roughness you may encounter.
The Medixi kit is compatible with most sit-on-top kayaks and is pretty affordable. The only downside is that the kit doesn't come with any arms, which will need to be purchased separately.
The Pactrade Outrigger Kit is made using molded PVC, stainless steel hardware, and aluminum supports. Stainless steel and aluminum are excellent choices for watersports as they do not rust easily, and they are very durable as well as lightweight.
The outriggers are adjustable and have a quick-release locking system which makes them easy to remove by pressing a red button. The Pactrade stabilizer kit is compatible with most sit-on-top kayaks or canoes. They provide the kayaker with a high level of stability, allowing the paddler to stand up in the boat should you choose to cast a line from a standing position.
This is a suitable choice for those going out on a variety of water conditions.
At the higher end of the price range is the Spring Creek Canoe, which rightfully claims it is "the safety and comfort you're looking for while out on the water."
It is made using the most durable and lightweight combination of materials such as lightweight polyethylene. The floats are easy to use and compatible with most kayaks or canoes. They also come in a yellow, red, and gray option should you wish to match your outriggers to your kayak or buoyancy aid!
The arms are extendable to up to 20" on each side, and the floats increase buoyancy by 27 lbs per float.
This float has a hydrodynamic design, almost resembling two mini kayaks designed for minimal drag through the water. The system is easily adjustable using locking cam lever arms.
An excellent choice for those with deep pockets!
Common Questions & Answers
1. How long should kayak outriggers be?
Generally, most outriggers are 30-36 inches long.
2. Do outriggers increase weight capacity?
Although outriggers increase buoyancy, they do not increase weight capacity.
Our Top Pick!
So we've balanced the boats, cast our lines, and paddled far and wide, and we think the best kayak outriggers on the market are the Brocraft Kayak Outrigger!
These floats come at an affordable price for something so durable and easy to use. They are also adjustable and very convenient, which makes them an excellent option for any compatible boat.