10 Best Kayak Outriggers To Buy In 2024

Which Kayak Stabilizers Are Best?

Kayaks are a perfect choice for recreational paddling or enjoyment with family and friends on seas or lakes. With kayaks, however, come very small bottom areas that make them prone to capsizing many times, especially when navigating through rough waters or maneuvering tight corners.

Experiencing consistent overturn of your vessel on the water because of unsteadiness isn’t something you’d like as a fisherman, therefore you’d need a solution to that. Enters the best Outrigger systems. Good for both recreational kayaking and fishing.

Outriggers are a great addition, as not only do they add extra stability to your vessel but allow you to pay attention to other activities like enjoying the beauty of nature, capturing moments on camera, paddling, and ultimately, fishing.

In addition to increased stability, outriggers or stabilizers have numerous advantages that they bring to your vessels. They’re a great fit if you’re simply planning to set sail, or planning to convert your recreational vessel into one suitable for fishing.

Tall or heavy fishermen and women will also find outriggers as a great investment if they need more balance on the water than their kayak or boat can offer.

Boat outriggers, therefore, are needed, and designed, to help cub against the possibility of overturning into the water, by improving the vessel’s buoyancy and stability.

Side floaties are added to the vessel to make it work. We have made a review and compiled a list containing 10 of the best kayak stabilizers that you’ll find on the market.

These outriggers are suitable for both angling and non-angling activities and are sturdy enough to last for many uses. We hope that this list serves as a guide for when next you visit the store to purchase an outrigger.

1. Spring Creek Hydrodynamic Kayak and Canoe Float Stabilizer Kit

Features

• 27 pounds additional buoyancy for low drag
• Double steel stability arms
• Stainless steel mounting clamps
• Two steel floaties
• An array of colors to choose from yellow, gray, and red

Constructed for maximum hydrodynamic stability and performance, the Spring Creek Hydrodynamic Kayak and Canoe Float Stabilizer Kit is one of the best out there, with a relatively low additional drag and betterment of your vessel with up to 27 pounds of buoyancy per float, extending up to 20 inches on each side.

And on top of that, it is manufactured in the United States. It is what you look for when you need stability and comfort for your kayak or canoe.

Furthermore, it is easy to install and get going with, with double steel stability arms, one mounting hardware set made of stainless steel, and two steel floaties, providing you with arguably the sturdiest outrigger system design on the market.

One unique thing about this outrigger is that it comes in a variety of colors and models. For colors, you’ll find it in either sunlight yellow, steel gray, or pure red. And for models, you’ll find it in either 36″, 40″, or 45″.

Using this product on your vessel gives you a rest of mind, and guarantees your being able to fish all day while standing to cast your bait.

Although the weight of this product might drown it a bit, making it inconvenient to transport, it remains, by far, one of the best all-round stabilizers currently on the market.

2. Hobie Kayak Sidekick AMA Kayak Stabilizer

Features

• High security and stability
• Easy-to-use support bar
• Adjustable height
• High durability and versatility
• Incredible self-weight of fewer than 5 pounds

If you’re interested in getting added stability and positional adjustment from your watercraft, you have to check out this excellent one-piece outrigger by Hobie with an impressive self-weight of fewer than 5 pounds!

The Sidekick outriggers are simple but effective inflatable devices with a support bar that is easy to use and adjust even while on water. This bending of the support bar is such that you can simply twist them according to your desire.

That they are inflatable doesn’t reduce their effectiveness in any way, as they perform their intended work very well as a single piece compared to their competitors with multiple arms. Moreso, you can have them inflated in just one and a half minutes, thanks to their one-way valves.

However, while trying to have these inflatable outriggers set up, there’s a high probability of accidental puncture, causing a leak. Therefore, you will find a Do-it-yourself service kit included to help you whenever the need arises.

3. Meter Star Water Kayak Outrigger

Features

• Best for beginners
• Lightweight design
• Portable
• Easy to install
• Great for kayaks and canoes

The Meter Star Water Kayak Outrigger is what you put your money on when you’re more interested in your stability and ultimately, security on rough water and choppy waves than just aesthetics.

Extremely lightweight and compact, you can have the Meter Star Outrigger with you wherever you go. Moreover, the floaties are inflatables, compact, and easy to install.

The outrigger weighs only about 2.6 pounds with a dimension of 35.5 in length, still within the ideal dimension required to keep your vessel stable.

They are made of durable and heavy-duty PVC material like you’ll find in many other options but unlike many, you can easily inflate this product with just your mouth without an inflator or pump.

The best part of this stabilizer kit is that it comes equipped with four amazing repair patches. Amazing because hardly will you find another like it on the market. However, one major drawback that this product has is that you will have to purchase the adjustable arms and floats separately.

Another drawback is the lack of a user manual on how to carry out installation, as reported by some. Although overall, most people affirm that the product works well.

4. Pactrade Marine Outriggers

Features

• Quick-release locking tack
• Durable PVC design
• Suitable for most canoes and kayaks
• Lightweight with only a self-weight of 5 pounds
• One year warranty

Constructed with durable PVC, The Pactrade Watercraft Outrigger system is one of the best options out there that ensure security and stability. We’d recommend these outriggers if you’re going to be using your watercraft to fish in calm waters.

The product has hardware made of stainless steel and supports made from aluminum only at a weight of 5 pounds. You achieve good stability through inflated PVC tubes mounted using aluminum-made poles, and stainless steel clamps.

Crossbar units appear to be sturdier. But if you’re looking for a quick fix, these outriggers are for you as they do not need a crossbar to function.

You will also love that the outriggers are easy to fit, remove, and store, thanks to their quick-release locking tack. They are also easy to attach and adjust onshore through a lock nut, but not on the water; it is good to ensure that you have them correctly fitted before moving on to the water.

What’s more, the company offers a warranty of one year. One downside of this product is the difficulty in mounting. Another is that the adjustment gear could easily break when in use because it is made of plastic material.

5. Yak-Gear Kayak and Canoe Outrigger Stabilizers Generation 2

Features

• Great for beginners
• Equipped with adaptable outrigger arms
• 30-inch (extendable to 22 inches from your kayak)
• RAILBLAZA StarPort HD
• Pre-installed threaded fit-ins
• Affordable

With floats made with hard plastic a kit that includes mounting hardware made of stainless steel, and a manufacturer’s manual, the YakGear Kayak & Canoe Outriggers Gen 2 is one of the topmost options available on the market.

It is suitable for beginners who are just starting to learn kayaking. This product is equipped with double blow-molded floats and two RAILBLAZA’s StarPort HDs that you can attach to the kayak’s knurled side, all in stainless steel, allowing you to cast your net or bait and reel in large fish while standing up.

In addition, it offers high-level stability, thanks to its adjustable arms of 30 inches that can be stretched from the kayak to about 22 inches. It also has pre-installed threaded fit-ins.

These fit-ins alongside a camera mount and a MiniPort from RAILBLAZA can be used to capture some interesting moments while on the water. The only con of this product is that you need to drill holes into your kayak. Besides this, it is a perfect companion for your next trip.

6. Scotty #302 Inflatable Kayak Stabilizer System

Features

• Double High-quality PVC-lined inflatable floats
• Lightweight
• Two 28-inch electrically anodized aluminum arms for excellent stability
• Durable inner blade
• Easy transport and storage

Scotty is a big name in the world of stabilizer systems, trusted for quality systems. And with this outrigger, they’ve shown they’re worth the top-level their fans placed them. The Scotty #302 comes with irresistible packages that make it one of the most sought-after kayak outrigger systems on the market.

With this product comes two inflatable floats designed with high-quality PVC, that get inflated in just about one minute, a durable inner blade that doesn’t get damaged in many years, and perhaps most importantly, two electrically anodized stability arms of 28 inches made with aluminum.

The anodized is designed to be resistant to saltwater exposure as well as corrosion. What’s more, with this system attached to your vessel, you get to enjoy an additional buoyancy of up to 30 pounds on each of your kayak’s sides.

Moreover, you don’t have to worry about the hassles that come with installation as the system is relatively easy to install. All the qualities of this adjustable outrigger system work together to allow your vessel to move safely on the water, provide security and stability, and allow you to fish while standing up without having to worry about tripping overboard.

7. Brocraft Kayak Outrigger Stabilizer Systems

Features

• Floats made of tough PVC material
• Two polished aluminum arms
• Two repair kits
• Double mounting options: deck and kayak track

The Brocraft Kayak Outrigger is one of the best fishing kayak stabilizer systems available on the market. The outriggers have floats made of durable PVC that can withstand rough environmental conditions like rocks, debris, and more.

The floats are attached by two polished aluminum arms of 32 inches that extend from the boat’s side, giving it a superior level of stability. It is made perfectly for narrowboats and kayaks with a unique yellow color so you can be visible on the water.

Moreover, inflating and deflating this product is easy to do, and it is equipped with two service and repair kits. Plus, it comes with two easy-to-mount and use aluminum and stainless-steel mounting brackets that ensure the longevity of the product.

You can choose to use any of the two mounting options- the deck mounting or the kayak track model. Furthermore, the Brocraft Kayak Outriggers come with a manufacturer’s warranty of 2 years. One downside of this product, however, is that it is slightly expensive compared to many others.

8. Lixada PVC Inflatable Stabilizer System

Features

• Adjustable heights
• Portable and easy to install
• Durable and lightweight
• Excellent stability and buoyancy
• Available in up to three colors
• Suitable for both canoes and kayaks
• Double valve for quick inflation
• Equipped with two repair patches

The Lixada PVC Inflatable Outrigger is on our list because it possesses all the features you need for a successful recreational or fishing experience on the water. The product is suitable for amateur anglers as well as professionals.

Equipped with sidekicks made of durable aluminum material, one mounting bar, and an easy-to-use bent support bar for easy adjustments, this outrigger offers all the balance required for casting and reeling in fish while standing on your feet.

Interestingly, with its ergonomic design, you will find this product stronger than many of its competitors on the market.

The Lixada stabilizer doesn’t create too much drag, allowing you to enjoy a more comfortable and smoother ride. What’s more, the stabilizers also offer additional buoyancy, so you don’t have to worry about falling overboard.

It even comes with mounting hardware and repair patches, as well as a secure locking ferrule at the end of the sidekick’s arms for safety.

The downside of this product is that it is often easily sold out! Funny right? It can be a downside for their fans who can’t get it when they’re in dire need of it.

9. Canoe Kayak Outrigger Stabilizer

Features:

• High-quality PVC construction
• Up to 60 pounds of buoyancy
• Adjustable arms
• Mounting hardware and manufacturer’s manual
• Portable and easy to transport
• Three years limited warranty

There are more than enough reasons this particular outrigger made our list. The Canoe Kayak Outrigger System is made from heavy-duty PVC with well over 60 pounds of buoyancy offering your vessel the best balance and stability needed for fishing, for as long as you want.

Moreso, this stabilizer comes with adaptable arms that you can easily attach and detach. What’s more, you can never be stranded setting up this outrigger as it comes with a manufacturer’s installation manual and mounting hardware for easy setup and takedown.

In addition to being easily attached and detached, this outrigger is extremely compact and portable too, so you don’t have to worry about transporting and storing it. And with a warranty of three years on this quality product, it is an investment, and you get to enjoy it however you like.

10. Inspired By Nature Kayak Stabilizer With Yellow Floats

Features

• Stainless steel mounting hardware
• Furniture-like PVC floaties design
• 4 feet-long docking cord
• 30-inch adjustable arms

The Inspired by Nature Outrigger is among the best options currently on the market for more than one reason. Firstly, it is designed using a tough PVC material that makes it withstand sudden impacts and resist rips and punctures.

Secondly, it is equipped with a durable, heavy-duty stainless steel mounting hardware set, a docking cord of 4 feet, and adjustable arms of 30 inches- that is, all you need for a reliable stabilizer set-up. In addition to its strength, it is rust and corrosion-resistant.

Although you may encounter difficulties in installation, with this stabilizer beneath you as you fish or sail through nature, you won’t have to worry about where to put your heavy fishing gear and other accessories.

Moreover, it is resistant to UV rays from the sun which makes prolonged exposure have little or no effect on its performance and longevity. It provides excellent stability for your kayak and supports your weight plus your gear’s weight when you’re out on angling trips, making it one of the best to put your money on.

What Is a Kayak Outrigger?

Also known as stabilizers, outriggers are a series of floaties that are connected to an arm (usually of aluminum or stainless-steel materials), which is then connected to the side or deck of a water vessel and extended into the water to increase the weight capacity of the vessel and provide higher stability for the angler.

The major reason for a stabilizer is to make it difficult for your vessel to flip underweight. You will find that a number of these outriggers are inflatable, i.e. they are easy to inflate for use and deflate when not in use. This feature also allows for retraction for easy transport and storage.

While some are fixed, many outriggers’ models out there are adjustable and can be attached and used on a single or both sides of the vessel. They can also be used on the deck of the vessel, providing much versatility.

You can decide which model best suits your need to get adequate stability for your vessel by going through our list of best kayak outriggers currently available out there on the market.

Why do you need a kayak outrigger?

Outriggers are needed for several reasons, the major being to provide added stability to kayaks- due to their narrow designs that make them susceptible to wobbling and ultimately overturning.

Although their narrow design makes them cruise through the water with ease there are times when all you’d need is extra stability, especially when you have to reel a big catch into your kayak.

While doing this, you will need to stand up and continue to maintain your balance, your kayak needs to have more than a narrow base which calls for extra stability from outriggers.

Stabilizers are also good for beginner kayakers who are just starting with recreational paddling or fishing, as being on the water for the first time can be scary without support. The kayak may seem as though it’s about to trip.

To give yourself balance on the water, you can get an outrigger to serve as training wheels for your watercraft, as in a bicycle.

When can your Outrigger system be used?

There are various ways and situations when you need to use your stabilizers. Below are a few of them:

Fishing

Catching fish in water areas that are easily accessible can be a little difficult. Sometimes the best place to be are holes that are difficult to access on foot. With your kayak beneath you, you can move to those places, navigating with ease in places even larger vessels like boats will not.

Perhaps, what you have beneath you is a kayak meant for recreational purposes and if you decide to make it useful for more fun by using it to fish, you will need a kayak stabilizer.

This is because recreational kayaks tend to be unstable when you stand in them and you may have to stand up while casting your net or when you’re feeling a big fish into your vessel.

Outriggers are designed for this purpose- to provide extra stability, making it easy to easily cast your net or bait, and reel fish in.

Sailing

Another fun reason to be on the water is sailing. You add a sail to your vessel to make the wind run your vessel for you, getting carried away in the grandeur. However, adding a sail means you will need some stability too.

While the wind takes you further, covering much distance, kayak outriggers keep you in balance and prevent the wind power from turning your kayak over when in motion.

Unlike sailboats that possess a craft, called a keel, that acts as a countering force against the lateral force of the wind, kayaks don’t have any. This makes Outriggers the best option for you.

Factors to consider when selecting the right kayak outriggers

We understand that selecting the best Outrigger system for oneself can be a whole job. Outriggers can seem to be a bit complex to use.

But not as complex as it seems. Understanding the right features and factors that make it work is all that you need. Below are a few of these factors:

Buoyancy Styles

There are two major floatation styles of kayak outriggers currently out there. Some outriggers’ floatation devices are made with solid yet buoyant Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) material while others are inflatable pontoons.

Besides stability, the PVC-made floaties increase the strength of the vessel. However, transporting them after use can pose a little difficulty.

On the other hand, the inflatable ones contain two parts of the floaties- a tough outer covering that helps protect against puncture and an inner soft bladder that is filled up with air and acts as floaties for extra stability.

We recommend that you select a float that is strong and buoyant enough to support your weight and your kayak. If you’re selecting an inflatable floaty, ensure that your choice can hold more than enough air to prevent your vessel from overturning.

Price Tag

As much as we’d like to tell you to watch your pocket, we’d also like to recommend that you invest some more extra bucks to get the best kayak outrigger that will not give you issues after purchase.

This saves you from spending additional money on trying to fix a new outrigger that you just bought. Getting a quality stabilizer at a cheaper price is difficult. High-quality products often come with high prices. However, some products still combine high quality with reasonable price tags.

Size

Outriggers come in different sizes, just as there exist different kayak models, sizes, and kinds of kayaks. Therefore, this is another factor you need to consider when selecting a good outrigger.

You will find most outrigger kits with lengths ranging between 30 and 36 inches, although there are others with shorter dimensions or longer dimensions. There is a direct link between your outrigger size and the level of stability you get from it.

It follows that the larger the dimensions of your stabilizer, the greater the stability it provides, and the less likely your trip into the water. In addition, you should look into the buoyancy capacity of the pontoons to the entire setup.

Adjustability Features

As we now both know stabilizers come in different sizes some, however, are designed to work for many kayak types. These types are equipped with adaptable arms so they can fit well enough.

You can also adjust these arms to suit your needs while on water. The arms are an excellent inclusion that allows you to lift the float out of the water while paddling.

When buying your favorite model, ensure you check the adaption features, so you can get the knowledge of how to set it up correctly, before taking off on the water.

Is it an Inflatable or a Rigid PVC Outrigger?

We have said that the two major floatation styles are inflatable and solid PVC outriggers. Sometimes, you may have to choose between the two but, what are the similarities and differences in specs and uses?

You may have to answer questions like, how is a permanently air-filled stabilizer a better solution to overturning than a raft-like inflatable outrigger, or vice versa?

Permanently air-filled stabilizers (often made with plastics or metals), as a solution will come with much durability against puncture in case of sudden impacts on rocks. You won’t have to always inflate them every time too.

However, you have to be ready to pay for their costlier prices as well as heavyweights. On the other hand, besides their reasonable strength, inflatable kayak outriggers have better transport and storage features than rigid ones.

Moreso, they’re essentially more lightweight and come at a cheaper rate than rigid outriggers. The downside of these stabilizers is that they’re prone to puncture damages that incur more spending.

Or they can be irreparably damaged due to their low durability, especially if you’re paddling around rocky areas. Beyond that, with their compactness and portability, many fishermen and women would prefer to go for inflatable stabilizers.

Deployability

You have to check for deployability. Your outrigger will either come with pivot points or be in a fixed spot.

The pivot points are useful if you quickly need to get out of the water and keep your kayak away by allowing you to stay on the poles and have the outriggers suspended out of the water.

The fixed ones will be fixed in a position but you can remove them if you do not feel the need to use them.

Rust and Corrosion Resistance

One of the most important but often overlooked qualities in outriggers is their resistance to rust and corrosion. Some stabilizers aren’t designed to be used beyond freshwaters.

To get the best out of the product you’re investing in, ensure to check if the materials of construction will be able to hold up against corrosiveness when they get exposed to the extra-corrosive saltwater.

Great for beginners

Outriggers are designed primarily to help your watercraft support more weight and provide extra stability. Although they’re not explicitly for beginners, stabilizers are especially what beginners who are just starting on the water need.

How to mount a kayak outrigger

You must have been wanting to know how outriggers are mounted on kayaks, boats, and canoes. Some stabilizer kits on the market usually require that you get your hands dirty by drilling holes in your vessel whereas, some don’t.

Some easily fit into kayaks that come with holes already drilled in by the manufacturer for outrigger kits. The two methods come with their pros and cons, it lies with you to choose which one is a better pick for you, although you may be limited by the type of kayak you have.

If they’re required to drill holes in their kayaks, some people prefer to mount the stabilizer at the rear of the vessel to prevent it from obstructing their proper paddling while others like to have theirs around the curve to gain maximum balance.

If you’ll be installing your outrigger to pre-installed threaded holes, ensure that the outrigger you invest in falls into precise alignment with the holes. You have to ensure the floaties are in a parallel position to both your forward and backward motion.

You can get over all the hassles that accompany outrigger installations by getting universal or adjustable bars that can fit multiple kayak brands and styles.

Benefits of a kayak outrigger

The major benefit of outriggers is to ensure the kayak’s stability and prevent it from capsizing. They are mostly needed by fishermen and women to be able to stand upright as they fish.

As some people use their kayaks plus outriggers for fishing in slow-moving waters, while others prefer to run on rough, fast-paced waters, with outriggers attached to their kayaks. Outriggers take your mind off capsizing and make you enjoy the beauty of nature.

Disadvantages of Outriggers

One main downside of outriggers is that they are slow. They draw you back from quickly setting out on the water to enjoy yourself. This especially concerns you if you’re using your vessel for fast diving instead of fishing.

Since you’re buying your outrigger to gain more stability and not to gain more speed on the water, then the drawback is speed wouldn’t be a big issue for you. Kayak outriggers are useful if you’re moving on sails too, to help you stabilize your side-to-side movement.

The best kayak outriggers as you have found on our list have the main purpose of providing support for the excess weight that might be put on the vessel, and also offering extra stability to prevent it from overturning in case of wind or strong water currents.

You also found that stabilizers are designed primarily with fishermen and women in mind, so that they will be able to stand straight up safely as they throw over their nets and baits in the water, or as they reel big catches into their vessels.

Furthermore, you saw that adjustable arms are an excellent addition to outriggers for achieving the correct angular position while you’re on the water.

Those who like to convert their fishing kayak to recreational use and paddle with sails on tough waters might also need investment in kayak outriggers.

The most important thing to ensure is that your choice is of great quality to save you from spending additional costs and that it is compatible with your vessel.