: Have you ever heard of a "retrieval" kayak? I don't know how much
: weight it can handle but it seems to be a good little kayak.

: Glen in Baie-St-Paul.

The "retrieval" kayak reminds me of my first boat, a highly popular rotomolded kayak called the Critter by Wilderness Systems 9' 4" long, 30" beam, max load 250 lb. I believe it is made by Delta now under a different name. The plan view shown in the pamphlet shows it a lot slimmer than reality! They also underquoted its weight which is routine for plastic 'yaks. My 190 lb weighs it down almost to the gunnels, but it is stable and very easy to paddle; ideal learner boat. Retrieval has similar length but 25% less beam, bottom is somewhat less flat but the Critter has very hollow lines at each stem. I expect it to carry maybe 180 lb. Following Glen's links will lead you to a pdf file plan if you haven't already found it. Increasing the dimensions by 10% all round would give you a capacity of 250 lb in a kayak 11' x 25.6", a little longer and narrower than the Critter. It would ride an inch or so lower than the Critter which would help restore some of the stability lost due to the narrower beam. Retrieval kayaks were used, as the name implies, by the Inuit for retrieving killed seals left attached to a float by the hunters. The Inuit were consummate paddlers and routinely loaded these boats down to the gunnels and beyond; I don't recommend you do that! The Critter has a large cockpit, 39" x 19", very easy to enter and exit; the "retrieval" kayaks cockpit is about 22" x 19" and may require some skill if you are heavily built, but it could be made larger: just keep the the seat at the same location to avoid upsetting the balance.