I�m 49 and have a bad back. What is a comfortable kayak that I can fish with and not kill my back.

Thats a real tricky question. You need to try some. Find a demo or a store willing to offer demos

You might consider one that offers great stand up stability, especially, if standing is more comfortable than sitting for your particular back condition.

I can�t sit for long periods in a kayak without causing hip and lower back discomfort. I tend to fish and scout for fish while standing and only sit to paddle when covering distance.

Consider the weight of the kayak as well. If your back is bad how much weight can you comfortably lift? Some of these kayaks now are very heavy, exceeding 80 pounds.

I�m almost 57.

I've had a bad back for years and I'm 72.
I'd suggest that you use a foam cushion no matter how comfortable a seat may seem.
The newer kayaks come with the reclining lawn chair type seats that adjust in height that allow you to have some elevation to your legs, that relieves having to sit straight legged in the cockpit which to me always put more pressure on the hips and back.
Where you will really struggle, and it's something that a lot of people with back problems fail to even consider, and that is loading and unloading, as many of those same newer kayaks are pushing 80, 90, to 100# and a lot of them are only 10' kayaks so they are a brick.
A trailer is going to be the way to go if you choose a kayak over around 65# which even then will feel heavy after a few hours of fishing and paddling.
My present kayak weighs around 60# if I remove the seat, and everything that will come out of it.
You could look into a sit inside type kayak if hauling would be a concern, and they can weigh in at around 45 to 55 pounds. I've fished out of sit inside kayaks, and they are stable and paddle with ease, usually they have a fairly comfortable seat, but can be a little hot in the summer unless it's more of an open cockpit model.
You can get a sit on top that weighs about the same, but you will not have an elevated seat and it will be hard on the butt and back with the seat that come with them, and they may not be back friendly.
Next time you page through one of those magazines that show the different models of kayaks, take a look at the weight specifications and you will be able to narrow them down fairly easy.
Remember, you are out to enjoy the sport, and you don't want to dread having to load and unload your new kayak, and possibly make your condition worse.

As always, Jimbo offered some really good info! However, the weight of the kayak is less of an issue if you are hauling in a pick up truck and using a boat ramp (or hard bank)... especially if you install Boonedox landing gear. The landing gear can be raised and lowered while you are in the water. This allows you to roll the yak all the way into and out of the water. On most yaks, the landing gear carries about 2/3 of the weight.

I haul and my 150 pound PA14 this way with no worries. Granted, I am 44 and do not have a bad back... However, I believe this approach would work well for someone with moderate back issues.

Karstopo is correct, a yak where you can stand (at least a little) is important for most of us. I have a chronic hip issue that tends to flare up while sitting for long periods of time. Standing up and stretching from time to time does the body good!

Mariner Sails will demo pretty much anything on their floor. In my opinion they are worth the drive from Justin. Good luck with your purchase!

I have back issues and a shoulder that gives me problems. I like paddling a kayak but can't do it much without having a sore back and or shoulder which is why I switched to a pedal kayak. Kayak fishing is hard on a back but definitely doable. Best advice I can give you is rent a few kayaks. Doing demos is good but renting them where you can spend more than a few minutes on the water allows you to really test it out. Standing allows you to stretch and extends the amount of time on the water. My kayak is also a PA14 and it's heavy! But with a trailer I rarely have any issues handling it. If you can launch at a boat ramp with a trailer it's a breeze! I agree even with a trailer Boondox landing gear is very handy to have but not a must.

You'll love it! Good luck.

snug: Good info from the above posters. Also, try to go to a Demo Days and try out lots of kayaks. They all look good in a store, but paddling/peddling one is the way to find out which one really suits you and your physical condition(s). Also, join TexasKayakFisherman Forum for lots more kayak fishing info. [i][/i]Good Luck! IslandJim

Thanks for the replies. A lot of great info. Looking forward to seeing what�s out there.

I would check with doctor and see what he thinks. Maybe paddling a kayak will make your back stronger.