Adding outriggers or stabilizers to a kayak is one of the best ways to improve safety since it decreases the chance of your vessel flipping over. This is quite useful, especially for the beginners who are yet to learn the best balancing tactics. Well, choosing the right outrigger and stabilizer is not that easy as it sounds. Since so many options are there, buyers often become confused. We complied a list reviewing the top 5 best kayak outriggers and stabilizers to help buyers choose the right product. Once you check out the reviews, you will understand which one is suitable for you.
In this section, you will find information about the top five kayaking outriggers and stabilizers. But before checking out the reviews, let’s take a look at the below chart- a quick comparison of three best outriggers and stabilizers.
| Best Kayak Outriggers and Stabilizers | Material | Weight | Length | Rating |
| Spring Creek Manufacturing Hydrodynamic Canoe Stabilizer Float Package | Lightweight and durable polyethylene plastic | 18 Pounds | 36.0 inches | 4.8/5 |
| Brocraft Kayak Outriggers/Stabilizers Systemand Two Power Lock Rod Holder | PVC Floats and stainless-steel hardware | 9.4 Pounds | 32.0 inches | 4.3/5 |
| Scotty #302 Kayak Stabilizer System | Thick and durable material | 10.2 Pounds | 34 inches | 4.2/5 |
Top 5 Best Kayak Outriggers and Stabilizers
1. Spring Creek Manufacturing Hydrodynamic Canoe Stabilizer Float Package
The float stabilizer packages, manufactured by Spring Creek are the best choice for many pro kayakers. Both the beginners and skilled kayakers can be beneficial once they invest in this stabilizer. Adding this stabilizer to your vessel can enable you to stay safe while you are on the water. Extremely comfortable and easy to install, these floats are worthy of investing. Made of lightweight and durable polyethylene plastic, Spring Creek Manufacturing stabilizer and floats are user friendly. Once you install this gear, it will keep your canoe upright and stable.
Among the top 5 best kayak outriggers and stabilizers, this one comes first. Its excellent features, reasonable rates, and superior material quality make it favorable for pro kayakers. You can expand it up to 20 inches in every direction, and you will be pleased while using them. It’s easy to use, and the simple design makes it the best stabilizer on the market. Each stabilizer package comes with two canoe stabilizer floats, one universal receiver crossbar, 1 set of clamps, and two telescoping arms.
A Few Things to Know:
Before you buy Spring Creek Manufacturing stabilizer, make sure you conduct thorough research about this product. Here are a few essential things you need to know.
- Spring Creek stabilizer packages include locking cam lever arms, which are easy to adjust. They come with three color options- Yellow, red, and grey.
- The universal receiver included in the stabilizer packages is fit for almost all kayaks and canoes. Different length options make it suitable for all kayaks. The standard sizes are- 45′, 40′, 36′, and 30′. Before placing your order, you need to measure your canoe. Once you perform this task, you will understand exactly which size of the universal receiver is suitable for your canoe.
- Canoe gunwales often have inside lips for the clamping facility. This means the clamps will remain on the inside of your canoe. In contrast, some canoe gunwales also have outside lips. The best thing about this Universal receiver crossover is that it fits both the canoes- the canoe with inside and outside lips.
- The rating of Spring Creek stabilizer packages is pretty good- 4.8 out of 5 stars. Coming with almost everything you need to make your kayak safe and stable, this stabilizer packages will help you make your water sports experience unforgettable.
2. Brocraft Kayak Outriggers/Stabilizers System and Two Power Lock Rod Holder
Brocraft Kayak Outriggers/Stabilizers System is one of the picks among the best Kayak outriggers and stabilizers. Extremely comfortable, reliable, and easy to install, this stabilizer or outrigger system from Brocraft allows you to float on the water and explore unique locations safely. This stabilizer system comes with two power lock rod holders, which makes it superior to others. 32’ long outriggers arms, made of aluminum, will make your kayak more stable and thus gives you broad scopes for enjoying this water sport vibrantly.
But you will be able to improve the safety of your vessel once you install it properly. Therefore, learning the right installation process is very much important. Seeking help from professionals is an excellent option for beginners who do not have much knowledge about installation.
A Few Things to Know:
Here are some essential things about this stabilizer system; you need to know before you proceed further with the buying job.
- Durable, sturdy, and molded PVC floats included in this kit will keep your vessel upright and stable. They come in a yellow color.
- The manufacturing company uses stainless steel to make the mounting hardware. This makes the stabilizer long-lasting and rustproof.
- Kayak stabilizers or outriggers from Brocraft come under two-year warranty facility
- It has 4.3 out of 5 stars rating which is pretty good
Whether you go fishing or exploring unique locations through kayaking, this stabilizer will help you get a fantastic water sports experience. The two-power lock rod holder which comes under this package will allow your kayak to stand as long as you wish, and thus, you will be able to enjoy the aquatic beauty while you are on your vessel.
3. Scotty #302 Kayak Stabilizer System
Scotty #302 Kayak Stabilizer System is one of the best picks for kayakers of all levels, whether they are beginners or skilled. Made of lightweight yet long-lasting material, this stabilizer system has 11 inches height and 34 inches weight. Its package width is 11 inches.
With this stabilizer system from Scotty, you will be able to keep your canoe or kayak stable while fishing. The lightweight inner bladders can be inflated quickly, and they offer more than 30 pounds of extra buoyancy.
A Few Things to Know:
A thick and durable material, Scotty #302 Kayak Stabilizer System, will make you feel secure while you are on your kayak.
- Great for Beginners
- Easy to Assemble
- Very reliable
- Safe
Most of the kayakers who have been using this stabilizer system for years are satisfied and happy with this product. Many of them also shared their kayaking experience with this stabilizer and stated how the inflatable pontoons withstood branches and rocks, and still, they remained undamaged.
4. Hobie Sidekick Ama Kit – Part Number 72062101
Hobie Sidekick Ama Kit part number 72062101 is another right product that offers excellent performance to kayakers. Adding this stabilizer to your kayaker makes it easier for you to go racing through the churning waves safely. You will also be able to stand calmly on your vessel once you install this stabilizer.
From pro to novice, kayakers of all levels can use this kit to make their vessel more stable and safer. Whether it is about sailing or fishing and shooting photos from the kayak, it will meet every kayaker’s needs in the best possible ways.
A Few Things to Know
- Three-position height adjustment facility
- Durable and corrosion-resistant hardware, made of stainless steel
- Excellent stability device
- Excellent rating – 4.9 out of 5 stars
For a fantastic kayaking experience, place your order and start using this kit now. Before placing your order, do not forget to check the customer reviews.
5. Brocraft Canoe Outriggers/Canoe Stabilizers System
Do you have a narrow kayak? If yes, then this Canoe Stabilizers System from Brocraft is the perfect option for you. Easy to install, this stabilizer comes in yellow color. 32’ long lightweight outrigger arms will stabilize your vessel once you install them. Whether you want to go sailing or stand and enjoy aquatic beauty, this stabilizer will help you stay safe on your kayak. It will keep your vessel steady and upright and allows you to move swiftly in the water while exploring new locations or fishing.
Brocraft canoe stabilizer system is specially designed to meet the needs of kayakers of almost all levels. Whether you are a beginner or a pro kayaker, you will get the best benefits out of this product. 32’ aluminum outrigger arms with molded PVC floats are durable and user friendly. All mounting hardware, made of stainless steel, is lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
The g clamp that comes with this stabilizer system is made by marine grade 6061-T6 aluminum, which is the main reason the clams are so durable. Brocraft canoe outriggers system has a two-year warranty, which means you will not have to bother about its repair costs for a couple of years.
A Few Things to Know:
- Good for the more experienced kayaker
- Marine grade aluminum
- Two-year warranty
However, do not just pick up this stabilizer system just because we are saying so. Instead, do some research, check customer reviews, and then choose your product wisely. It is better to pick up the one as per your requirement, rather than selecting anyone that comes handy.
Choosing A Perfect Kayak Outrigger & Stabilizer – Buying Guide
Selecting the right kayak outrigger and stabilizer will not be difficult for you once you pay attention to a few crucial factors. Before you search for this gear, you need to think about your requirement. Performing a few tasks, like measuring your kayak and researching, makes it easier for you to choose the correct one as per your needs. All you need to check is whether your chosen gear fits your kayak perfectly or not.
So, how to make the correct choice? Well, it’s not much difficult for you. First, check out the reviews of the top 5 best kayak outriggers and stabilizers and then consider the below-mentioned factors to make the correct choice.
#1: Buoyancy
One of the primary reasons for installing a stabilizer is to increase the buoyancy of a kayak. Since all the stabilizers are not of the same size, the buoyancy level is variable. A product with the most added buoyancy level is the best option since it will make your kayak more stable and safer.
#2: Material
Different materials are used to make kayak or canoe stabilizers and outriggers. Choosing the right equipment is necessary since it helps you get the best benefits out of your stabilizer. How well this gear will perform and how long will it last depend on the material you select. So, choose the correct one to make the most out of your kayak outriggers and stabilizers. Most of the manufacturing companies usually use stainless steel for the mounting hardware and PVC for the floats.
Make sure you do some research about your chosen stabilizer before investing in it. Moreover, you may also check customer reviews to obtain more information about your chosen product.
#3: User Friendly
Is your chosen kayak stabilizer easy to use? Asking this question to yourself is very much crucial since the answer will help you make the right buying decision. To know whether the gear you have picked up is user friendly or not, you can go through the customer review section. Also, you should not forget about checking the features of your gear. All these steps will help you select the right one according to your needs.
#4: Easy to Install
Unless you want to spend on stabilizer installation, you should choose the kayak outrigger and stabilizer system that is easy to install. Make sure you pick up the one that you can install on your own. A few systems require kayakers to drill holes while adding stabilizers. You may need to hire some experts to install such gear, which means you need to spend some extra money. Inflatable outriggers are easy to install, and they take a short time to invest. This is why; they are in huge demand today.
#5: Additional Accessories
It is undoubtedly an excellent option to pick up a kayak stabilizer that includes nuts, bolts, and all the mounting system. So, check whether the sellers provide these additional accessories along with the stabilizers. However, for specific products, you may have to purchase these accessories separately. If anything is missing, go to your nearby hardware store and fetch it to add the gear to your kayak or canoe correctly.
#6: Price
Checking this factor is essential when it comes to choosing a kayak outrigger system. How much a kayak stabilizer costs depends on several factors, like, design, material, and so on. Well, it does not mean that all the expensive products are right. So, do some research and select the best one according to your needs.
Important Things to Know about Kayak Outriggers:
Here are a few of the essential things you should know before buying a kayak outrigger.
Outrigger Offers Stability As mentioned, the leading cause of using an outrigger or stabilizer is to get more stability while kayaking. Kayakers will be able to keep their vessels stable and upright once they add this gear. So, if you want to stay on the safe side, just add this gear to your kayak and follow the right instructions, provided by your trainer.
- Rigid vs. Inflatable Kayak Outriggers – Which Is Better?
Inflatable outriggers are easy to use and maintain. They are also easy to store since they do not take much space. However, they are less durable than rigid ones. But as long as you use high-quality inflatable outrigger, you will save a lot on the repair costs. Inflatable outriggers are lightweight, and they are available at low rates. This is why they are the best choices for a large share of kayakers.
- How to Mount the Stabilizer on Your Kayak?
Now that you have chosen the right one, it’s the right time for you to mount the stabilizer on your kayak. At first, you need to install a mounting system for the kayak. Now the question is how to perform this task? Well, place the holder in a specific place where you are going to mount the stabilizer. After that, you need to make two holes.
Use nut and bolts to attach the stabilizer with your kayak. It is better to seek help from professionals who have years of experience and profound knowledge if you find it too difficult to connect this gear. Most instruction manuals should provide adequate directions.
- How to Align Your Outrigger on the Kayak?
This is one of the most critical steps when it comes to installing kayak outriggers and stabilizers. While attaching the stabilizer with your kayak, you need to check whether it is placed correctly. Align it properly, mark the holes, and then install it as per the instructions of experts.
Conclusion
Now, you have a better understanding on how to choose the best stabilizer and outrigger for your kayak. So, pick up any product among the best kayak outriggers and stabilizers, attach them properly with your vessel, and stay safe. Following all the instructions given by your kayaking trainer is as important as selecting the right gear for your boat. So, follow all the safety measures and enjoy this water sport vibrantly.
