I’ve been thinking that a pedal yak might be a way to combine my love of fishing with my need for exercise.

I have a floating dock on which I can keep the yak.

I am old…75 in November next. If a kayak is so heavy I cannot get it in and out of the water…game over.

I need something stable enough that tipping over is not an ever present concern. I consider a dry Fanny a good thing. It is not likely that I will be standing.

My pond is huge. Large, deep water vessels are not uncommon.

Your suggestions/ideas about boats I should consider is appreciated. TIA.

Are you able to construct/attach a simple ramp to your floating dock? If so, you can get any pedal kayak on the market.

If not, something like the Hobie Compass is a good choice. Best that I recall, it's about 60 pounds.

Most stable type kayaks are usually going to be heavier than a touring kayak. There is always a way to overcome loading or docking issues. Personally, I'd get whatever kayak feels the best to use and figure out how to solve dealing with the weight. My father is 75, a couple years ago we paddled offshore in Pensacola.it was scarry. The kayak he used was not as stable as I'd have liked for him and his posture didn't help any. Having a prob close to land isn't really a problem, out on the water could be a real problem.

You can go deep into the science of stability but for the most part wider kayaks are going to be more stable than the more narrow ones. The Nucanoe Ultimate and Frontier 12 are 41 inches wide I believe. Not sure what other brands have wide models. Jackson probably has some wide kayaks. But as someone said the more stable kayaks are heavy.

What is your dock situation? Is it a private floating dock where you'll just leave your kayak? If so, think smarter not harder. I would get some kind of winch to pull up the boat. Even something cheap from Harbor Freight could be rigged for this purpose.

Exiting and entering a kayak from a floating dock requires good balance and leg strength.
I’ve seen young whippersnappers struggle and fall doing this (even with a nice dock ramp)

Hobie makes a very rugged high quality inflatable kayak.
It only weighs 28lbs (including the comfortable seat and pedal drive)

Just inflate from shore

This will be a much safer option; but I’d only use it when the water is warm and on calm days and always wear a pfd.

https://kayaarm.com/us/product/kaya...tXfm0D6WNO8-3xCd6CFUjI0oDahoCAAUQAvD_BwE

The above seems to be state of the art and still leaves a lot to be desired.

https://www.outcastboats.com/product/fish-cat-cruzer/

I'm close to your age, and use a customized (around 20# fully loaded with zippered in equipment) version similar to above for half day outings around 100 times a year. Nothing else comes close to being suitable, because of my bum back. I haven't tried launching from a stepped dock, but so far for me, nothing else launches as easily from a gradual or knee deep spot on any shore line. Waders will keep you dry up to chest level, and you can exercise your arms rowing, and legs using fins.

If those big vessels in your pond create a large wake, that might be a tipping or stability issue for any SUP type or for a fast, easy paddle design. I've been able to handle up to a 2-foot wake with only some splashing to to my chest level, since they are quick self bailing. Because your legs hanging down like a keel, tubes may be able to handle slightly higher wakes than 2', as they are very stable considering their small size. There are also similar solid, not inflatable, designs that are slightly heavier.

Hope this helps.

To be fair. I was drunk.

But seriously getting into or out of a yak at a dock is not as easy as one might think. Much easier to do from the bank when just wading ankle deep.

Their are a number of great pedal kayaks out there now. I have a Predator PDL. Super stable. You would have to try to flip it. But its heavy. Without the drive its over over 100lbs. Add the drive you are looking at 120 plus lbs. It is stable though. Just never get your shoulders outside the gunnel or your weight heading that way and you will be fine.

I am 70 and I have a Jackson Mayfly, my reasons for this are Stability at 35" wide is good. It is designed for fly fishing so there are not a lot of things to get caught on as the floor is fairly flat. It does way 94 lbs but I only pickup one end at a time so I can load it in my truck, I move it around on a Kayak Cart C Tug which is very easy.

For exercise with a paddle kayak is that you work out most of your body, back, arms, chest, waist and even legs if you paddle correctly.

In the Dallas area there is a kayak dealer that will let you try different styles of kayaks so you can see what you feel is best for you. If you are not from here check around for your local dealers or folks that do kayak lessons or tours and see if what sort of kayaks they have and if they will help you out with different styles.

I was wanting exercise to be a part of my kayak experience also. Mine is stable enough for me so far ..33" x 13' long weighs about 75 lbs before any gear added. C - Tug is what I have..Vibe is the brand

What about getting a jetski floating dock?

You might take a look at the BlueSky 360. Very stable and comfortable. While it's not light, it is extremely easy to load in my pickup alone because of the built in dolly wheels. I am 66 with bum knees, and it works quite well for me. I'm hoping to take it to Tennessee somtime to catch some Smallmouth.

I'm a year older than you, and still paddle yak fish in my skinny, light, fast, but very unstable 12-footer. In fact, I just bought a Viking 13.5 footer. I prefer fast, light yaks, but, I sure would like to be able to stand up sometimes. Not in my yaks!

In used to have really great balance and agility. With my age, and my meds, they're not so good anymore. If I get under my truck for an oil change, I can't just stand up without holding on to the truck. I'm OK, if I just don't rush. That said, if I were you, I wouldn't buy any kayak without a pedal/paddle test. Buy once, cry once.

Generalities about kayaks:
1 The wider the yak, the more stable. Also the more slow.
2 The more stable the yak, usually the more heavy.
3 The longer the yak, the faster. Also probably heavier.
4 The higher you sit, the more tippy and unstable you'll feel.
5 The more toys built in, the heavier.
6 Pedal drive kayaks are heavier and more expensive than paddle yaks. And more things to break.

Kayaks have made giant strides in the past 15 years. But, alas, most kayaks now are bass boats with pedal drives.

Have fun and refuse to get old! IslandJim

Get one of these. It's an inflatable kayak, the material is super tough, the biggest one weighs 51#'s, (73#'s folded up in it's bag). It's basically a stand up paddle board with sides. I do not have one but I inspected one personally at a store in Denver Colorado, it's pretty impressive. It has the opening for the pedal prop motors.

https://www.boteboard.com/collectio...o-aero-126-classic-teak-inflatable-kayak