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Ready for an adventure like never before?
If you’re a water lover, you won’t want to miss this – we’re diving into the world of the most premium, high-end kayaks money can buy.
From the latest in cutting-edge technology to luxurious features, we’re giving you an exclusive peek into the top of the kayaking food chain.
Maybe you’re loaded and want the best kayak that money can buy, or perhaps you just want to see how the other half live.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next top-of-the-line kayak, here’s a list of some of the most expensive kayaks on the market, including the world’s priciest one – the Apex Tyr.
Top 16 Of The Most Expensive Kayaks In The World
Apex Tyr (fishing kayak)
- Length: 12 foot 10 inches
- Width: 36 inches
- Depth: 18 inches
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 350 pounds (paddler weight)
The Apex Tyr Fishing Kayak is the world’s most expensive kayak. This is an ultra-light fishing kayak that’s made from carbon fiber. The carbon fiber construction extends to almost every part of this kayak, including the foot braces, the storage hatch, and the low-profile floating fin.
This is a kayak that’s made for kayak anglers who want the best quality and the finest attention to detail. It even features a custom three-part vinyl wrap.
Video: APEX TYR – Kayak Rundown
You can choose a custom cork or foam deck, which can help to reduce noise and provide traction underfoot. Another excellent feature is the neodymium super magnets that are built into the sides along the gunwales so you can attach your lures and tools for easy access and secure storage.
The foot braces are mounted on YakAttack gear tracks. It has RAM mount seat tracks with a carbon fiber swivel bucket seat that sits 7-inches off the standing platform.
Hobie Mirage Tandem Island (tandem kayak)
- Length: 18 foot 6 inches
- Width: 48 inches (120 inches with outriggers)
- Weight: 240 pounds (fully rigged) (130 pounds hull only)
- Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
The Hobie Mirage Tandem Island is a tandem kayak with a lot going on. It’s not just your average tandem kayak. This one has Ama outriggers, a pedal drive system and even a sail.
The outriggers create a more stable vessel for paddling, pedaling, or sailing the high seas. It’s ideal for exploring islands, with easy launching and landing.
The two Vantage CT seats have four-way adjustability and mesh padding for breathability. The seats can also be used on the beach. Each paddler has a MirageDrive 180 pedal system with KickUp Fins. The fins kick up out of the way to prevent damage when you hit the shallows. Two paddles are also included.
There’s lots of storage space, with three sealed hatches plus a large bow hatch.
The additional roller furling mainsail lets you harness the power of the wind to help propel you to your next island camp.
Nash Boatworks Sea Hawk (sea kayak)
- Length: 17 foot 4 inches
- Width: 21.75 inches
- Weight: 42 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 130 to 170 pounds (paddler weight)
The Nash Boatworks Sea Hawk is a custom-made wood cored composite kayak. Wooden kayaks that are built by hand tend to be pricey. And this one is no exception.
The Sea Hawk comes standard with a variety of features that you would expect on a top-quality sea kayak, including perimeter deck lines and low-profile deck fittings.
It also benefits from having flush-mount wooden hatch covers to keep your storage areas dry for extended trips with gear. The cockpit can be built in a choice of three sizes for a custom fit.
To make your sea kayaking adventure more comfortable, you’ll find a fiberglass seat with an adjustable back brace. There is adjustable foam padding on the hip, knee and thigh braces, as well as foot braces.
The Sea Hawk also comes with an optional retractable skeg and can be either varnished or painted, depending on your preference.
Hobie Mirage iTrek Fiesta (inflatable kayak)
- Length: 15 foot
- Width: 80 inches
- Weight: 105 pounds (fully rigged)
- Weight Capacity: 1000 pounds
The Hobie Mirage iTrek Fiesta is an inflatable kayak with a difference. This is an inflatable pedal kayak with four seats – two rows of two. This is probably the most expensive inflatable kayak in the world.
The thing that gives this portable kayak its wow factor (and its price tag) is the pedal drive system. This can take four pedal drive systems so that each person can power the kayak across the water. However, it comes standard with just two MirageDrive GT systems so you would need to purchase the extra two pedal systems separately.
Each of the four seats is a high-back mesh seat with an aluminum frame for durability and comfort. This lets you sit elevated off the deck of the giant kayak platform. Each seat also has a cup holder.
You’ll find bungee rigging at the rear to store a cooler or other gear. Plus, there’s a removable rudder for improved control.
The deck features EVA padding for traction and it comes with a stand-up paddle.
Nigel Dennis Kayaks Explorer (sea kayak)
- Length: 17 foot 6 inches
- Width: 21.5 inches
- Depth: 13.6 inches
- Weight: 48 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 150 to 220 pounds (paddler weight)
The NDK Explorer Carbon/Kevlar is an award-winning sea kayak designed for expeditions. This has all the features you would expect to find on an expedition kayak, including a hull that’s built to handle rough water and surf.
It benefits from having a keyhole cockpit for excellent boat control and grip. It’s also designed to be easy to get out of if a wet exit is required.
The deck is low profile to aid rolling. The rear bulkhead also slopes behind the seat so that you can easily empty the kayak by simply lifting the bow. This is so you can avoid any X rescue techniques.
It has a high-performance glass seat and benefits from having sealed storage hatches to keep your gear and equipment safe on long trips. There are also perimeter lines and deck bungees.
This kayak has handled month-long Antarctic expeditions with no support.
Klepper America Aerius Quattro II 545 (folding kayak)
- Length: 17 foot 11 inches
- Width: 34 inches
- Weight: 82 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 990 pounds
The Klepper America Aerius Quattro II 545 is a high quality folding kayak that can be assembled in around 15 to 18 minutes. What makes this kayak different from some of the more affordable folding kayaks is that it has a wooden frame.
This Klepper kayak has a hand-crafted triple-dipped ash and birch frame. The patented Snap Lock system makes it easy to put together.
The hull is made from reinforced TPU-polyurethane and a waterproof, breathable Egyptian cotton deck.
The first Klepper folding kayak was developed back in 1905 by Johann Klepper after being inspired by the design of Inuit kayaks made from whale bones and animal skins.
This is a tandem kayak that can be paddled solo. It’s designed to handle expedition trips in tough conditions. It has four air sponsons for increased buoyancy for heavier loads.
It benefits from having an adjustable molded foam seat with a backrest, paddle pockets, deck bungees for added storage, and a rear loading hatch. It comes with three carry bags so you can easily get it from A to B.
Hobie Mirage iTrek 14 Duo (inflatable kayak)
- Length: 13 foot 8 inches
- Width: 44 inches
- Weight: 73 pounds (fully rigged)
- Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
The Hobie Mirage iTrek 14 Duo is a tandem inflatable kayak with two pedal drive systems, making it one of the most expensive inflatable kayaks on the market.
This durable kayak (similar to the iTrek Fiesta) is crafted with high-quality materials and drop-stitch technology for increased rigidity and performance on the water. It also comes with a three-piece paddle.
It has two aluminum-framed seats with built-in cup holders. It also has EVA foam deck padding for comfortable and safe standing. There’s room for some gear at the rear, where you can secure it to the deck using the bungee rigging. A smaller storage area with bungees can be found at the front.
You’ll also find a detachable rudder.
This kayak has four carry handles and comes with its own wheeled carrying case, so it can be easy to get to and from the water’s edge.
Seaward Kayaks Passat G3 (sea kayak)
- Length: 22 foot
- Width: 26 inches
- Depth: 15.5 inches
- Weight: 97 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 225 pounds
The Seaward Kayaks Passat G3 is a long fiberglass sea kayak with the feel and performance of a racing kayak. It’s a tandem adventure racing kayak with a center hatch that could also double as a third cockpit for a child weighing up to 60 pounds (or a dog).
This is a narrow tandem kayak that has the performance of a solo kayak. It can handle surf and waves, with sharp turns and edging, as well as lots of speed.
It has a SmartTrack rudder with pivoting foot pedals for easy control without sacrificing your leg position for stability. You also have the option of adding a dual-steering system for control from either front or rear cockpit.
This can be an excellent sea kayak for long adventures, with a high level of dry storage. If the center hatch is not being used as a seat, it can offer 180-liters of dry storage space for your bulky items.
Easy Rider Eskimo 19 CRX 4G Harpoon HV (sea kayak)
- Length: 19 foot
- Width: 20 inches
- Weight: 60 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 450 pounds
The Easy Rider Eskimo 19 Harpoon is an expedition sea kayak based on Polynesian-style outrigger boats. It is built for speed, with a narrow beam that is just 20-inches wide. It’s also designed to efficiently handle rough seas.
One thing that boosts its performance in rough ocean waters is the outrigger. This acts like a catamaran hull, providing additional stability for the kayak on rough water.
Another great feature of this speedy kayak is the sail. The Airfoil or Spinnaker sails can let you have fun sailing your kayak instead of just paddling. This can make it appeal to sailors who want a more portable boat than a larger sailboat.
It has two large hatches for holding gear and is equipped with watertight fiberglass bulkheads. It also benefits from having a self-centering foot-controlled rudder, as well as an adjustable seat with adjustable backrest.
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 360 (fishing kayak)
- Length: 13 foot 8 inches
- Width: 38 inches
- Depth: 20 inches
- Weight: 148.5 pounds (fully rigged)
- Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 360 is a pedal fishing kayak that’s built for serious anglers. It has exceptional stability and is packed with fishing features designed for elite kayak anglers.
This is a large kayak (it’s also heavy) that’s crafted for a full day on the water. It’s designed to offer the ultimate in comfort and fishability, with a top-of-the-line pedal drive system to help you power your way to your next honey hole.
The MirageDrive 360 is the main selling feature of this kayak. This pedal drive system means you can rotate the kayak 360 degrees just by using your feet. This can mean improved boat control and maneuvering without always needing to rely on your paddle.
The Kick-Up fins allow you to stealthily move into the shallows with ease. The fins will automatically flip up and out of the way when you hit a rock or log, or even the river bed.
It also has a comfortable Vantage seat, accessory rails, and plenty of storage capacity.
Current Designs Prana (sea kayak)
- Length: 17 foot
- Width: 21 inches
- Depth: 12 inches
- Weight: 53 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 180 to 230 pounds (paddler weight)
The Current Designs Prana is a fast sea kayak that’s designed for versatility. It’s lightweight for its size and features fiberglass construction. It’s also available in a Kevlar option by special order.
This can be an ideal boat for day trips or longer expeditions. It’s a maneuverable kayak that has a high level of stability despite its narrow width. It has a hybrid chine hull with a decent amount of rocker, boosting its performance in all conditions.
The Prana is the result of a collaboration between Current Designs and Jesper Kromann-Andersen, a Danish designer. The design features a British-style deck and benefits from quality construction. It’s made in the USA and features a small American flag decal on the rear deck.
Rockpool Kayaks Taran (sea kayak)
- Length: 18 foot
- Width: 20.5 inches
- Weight: 54 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 383 liters (volume)
The Taran by Rockpool Kayaks is a high-volume sea kayak. This is a high-performance kayak that has endured record-breaking expeditions.
In fact, the Taran set the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the United Kingdom in 2011 (just 72 days to cover the 2,000 miles). Just two weeks later, that record was broken, again with the Taran, paddling the distance in just 67 days.
The Taran also holds the record for the fastest circumnavigation of Ireland (just 25 days). So this is a serious expedition kayak for serious kayakers. It has plenty of space for camping gear and equipment for long expeditions.
This has a deep V hull at the bow to help cut through water and. The hull is designed for speed and efficiency on rough seas and wind, with easy maneuvering and increased buoyancy at the bow.
It also comes with a factory fitted seat that’s tailored to your requirements.
The rudder with foot controls is designed for easy maneuvering and improved tracking in wind and waves.
Jackson Kayak Knarr FD (fishing kayak)
- Length: 13 foot 9 inches
- Width: 37 inches
- Weight: 140 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 425 pounds
The Jackson Knarr FD is a fishing kayak that’s designed for oceans and big lakes. The hull has been specifically engineered to handle surf, currents, and waves – everything that open water can throw at you.
This is a pedal kayak with a patented Flex Drive Mark IV pedal system. This can let you move quietly and quickly across lakes and bays with minimal disruption under the water. It’s also motor-ready if you ever choose to upgrade your propulsion.
This is a large kayak, with tons of space for tackle and tools. It also has dedicated storage space for fly rods, with the included YakAttack Omega rod holder. The TriTrak gear tracks run along both sides of the deck, giving you plenty of choice for mounting additional accessories and electronics.
The comfortable Hi-Lo seating system can give you added visibility for fishing. And the padded deck means you can stand comfortably with reduced noise.
Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 (fishing kayak)
- Length: 13 foot 6 inches
- Width: 37 inches
- Weight: 158 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 660 pounds
The Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 is built to be the ultimate fishing kayak. It won the Best in Show award at the 2020 iCast Show. This is a kayak for serious anglers looking for increased power.
It’s a motorized kayak that comes complete with a 45-pound thrust 12-volt Minn Kota motor. The motor is saltwater-ready so you can fish just about anywhere. It also benefits from having foot-control pedals for easy maneuvering. So you can keep your hands free for fishing and baiting hooks.
Another great thing about this kayak is that it has Spot-Lock technology. This helps to keep your kayak in place, hands-free, while you’re fishing in wind or currents.
This is not a lightweight kayak but it’s definitely feature-packed. It’s also incredibly stable, with a non-slip standing deck to make fishing easier.
There are several rod holders, a large rear tank well, and four 18-inch gear tracks for easy accessory mounting. Its high capacity also means it should have no problem holding your heavy fishing gear or camping equipment.
Jackson Coosa FD (fishing kayak)
- Length: 12 foot 7 inches
- Width: 35 inches
- Weight: 107 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 450 pounds
The Jackson Coosa FD is a pedal fishing kayak that’s designed to handle a variety of water environments, from oceans and large lakes to quiet backwaters and rivers.
This versatile kayak features an ultra-stable hull with True-Line tracking for enhanced performance in open water conditions.
The main feature of this kayak is the Flex Drive Mark IV pedal system. This pedal drive benefits from innovative technology that retracts the propeller into the hull if it comes into contact with underwater objects or shallow shorelines.
As well as pedal power, it’s also motor-mount ready with a four-hole bolt pattern on the stern to support various mounts.
There’s covered storage at both the bow and stern, with a huge stern tank well for a fishing crate. With a bungee-free bow, it’s also built for snag-free fishing, which can make it great for fly fishing.
You’ll find plenty of gear tracks for extra gadgets, plus deck padding for noise reduction and traction. It also has a Hi-Lo seat for elevated fishing. And the seat has an easy-to-use sliding adjustment system.
Dagger Phantom (whitewater kayak)
- Length: 8 foot 11 inches
- Width: 26.75 inches
- Depth: 14.5 inches
- Weight: 49.5 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 145 to 245 pounds (paddler weight)
The Dagger Phantom features on our best whitewater kayak list. It’s built for performance on rivers. It’s been the boat of various podium finishes in short boat class competitions.
This high-performance boat is crafted for speed and maneuverability on rapids, with lots of rocker in the bow and stern. It’s also built for quick turns and edging.
It has a comfortable padded seating system with a ratchet adjustable backband and leg lifters for support. There are padded precision-adjustable thigh braces and multi-adjustable ConTour hip braces.
The ConTour bulkhead foot brace is adjustable and features foam padding for added comfort and stability.
There are security grab handles for safety as well as front and rear carry handles for easy transportation.
The Phantom is made for paddlers between 145 pounds and 245 pounds, so it can suit a wide range of advanced whitewater kayakers. The adjustable cockpit features help to tailor the fit to different heights and sizes of paddlers.
Features You Would Expect To See On An Expensive Kayak
High Quality Materials
For many of the most expensive kayaks on the market, the materials used will often differ from the less expensive kayaks. While many budget kayaks are made from rotomolded polyethylene, some of the more expensive ones will tend to be constructed with fiberglass or Kevlar, or carbon composites. Some may even be crafted out of wood.
These higher quality materials tend to be a lot more expensive, which is usually what results in a higher overall price. Fiberglass and composite kayaks will tend to be much lighter in weight than standard polyethylene kayaks.
As well as being lighter in weight, these materials can often increase performance. This can be particularly noticeable where speed is concerned. Carbon and Kevlar materials can also improve the glide over the water, which can be beneficial in sea kayaks and touring kayaks, or racing kayaks.
These lightweight materials, however, can sometimes be more prone to damage compared to a durable but heavy polyethylene kayak.
New Technology
New technology and unique features can add a lot of dough to a price tag. Like most things, when a feature is new and exclusive to one company or product, those products tend to be pricey.
Some kayaks are expensive because they have exclusive features or a combination of features that make them stand out in their category, such as motors, pedal drives, or ultra-lightweight materials.
In the case of Hobie’s Mirage iTrek Fiesta, this combines several unique features, such as the quadruple seat layout, four pedal drives, and it’s an inflatable boat.
Others, like Hobie’s Mirage Tandem Island and Easy Rider’s Eskimo 19 Harpoon kayak, come with features like outriggers to boost stability on oceans and open water.
Hand-Crafted Components
One thing that can increase the cost of a kayak is having handmade components. Hand-crafted boats will generally cost more than factory mass-produced boats, as there tends to be more skilled labor involved.
Wooden kayaks will often be custom-made to order because they’re often handmade and take a lot of time. The more time a kayak takes to make, the more money it’s likely to cost. Add to this the additional custom features you want, such as dry storage and deck rigging, your boat may take several months to complete, especially if you also want a custom cockpit.
Feature-Packed Deck
The amount of features on the deck will usually depend on the type of kayak that it is. For example, you’ll be unlikely to find many features on the deck of a playboat built for tricks.
Expensive fishing kayaks on the other hand, will often be maxed out with features designed to boost your fishing success on the water.
Pricey fishing kayaks will usually have extra storage space for fishing tackle, gear tracks for mounting electronics, and a comfortable seat for all-day fishing. The most expensive ones will also usually have a pedal drive system or a motor system for hands-free propulsion.
Expensive sea kayaks will usually have additional storage space inside the hull to hold gear for month-long expeditions. These types of sea kayaks are engineered for enhanced speed and performance in wind, waves, and strong currents. They will often have rudders to help with tracking and have an increased level of secondary stability to handle rough water.
Conclusion
If you want to splash the cash on a new kayak, there are plenty of pricey kayaks to choose from. The most expensive kayak is the Apex Tyr Fishing Kayak. This high-quality kayak will set you back five figures and was launched as the world’s most expensive kayak.
The Tyr is lightweight, made from carbon fiber, with luxury angling features to appeal to the most avid kayak anglers with deep pockets.
Another extremely expensive kayak is the Hobie Mirage Tandem Island with its outriggers, sail, and dual pedal drives.
Whether you’re in the market for one of these high-performance boats or you’re just curious, hopefully you’ve enjoyed checking them out.
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