Bonafide RS117 Review

Stability is the whole premise of the RS117, and Bonafide delivers on it. The hull is wide and flat-bottomed enough that standing to sight-fish or make a longer cast feels natural after a short adjustment period — not like a dare. We tested this on calm lake water and light chop, and secondary stability (when you shift your weight) is forgiving without being mushy. The kayak tracks better than you’d expect from something this wide, which is a common tradeoff with flat-hulled fishing platforms.

Compared to narrower fishing kayaks in this class, the RS117 rewards anglers who spend long days on the water. You can stand, pivot, sit back down, reach for a rod, and stand again without the boat punishing every micro-movement. The 425 lb max load capacity also means heavier anglers aren’t sacrificing much secondary stability — the hull was designed with margin to spare.

One honest note: standing in moving water or moderate wind chop is a different experience. The RS117 handles it, but you’ll be working more. On calm lakes and slow tidal marshes it is as planted as anything at this price. See how it compares to other capable platforms in our fishing kayak roundup.

The HiLo framed seat is the single feature that most differentiates the RS117 from competitors at this price point, and it is genuinely well-executed. Three height positions give you a low touring position for stability in rough water, a mid position for comfortable all-day paddling, and a high position that gets your hips up and your center of gravity elevated for stand-assist fishing — it’s not fully standing, but it bridges the gap for anglers who want the visual advantage without committing to full upright fishing. The frame itself is rigid, not a floppy mesh-only sling, and it stays in position under load.

The rest of the fishing layout is well thought out. The Float Rod holders — Bonafide’s recessed rod storage system — keep rods protected and accessible without the usual snag risk of upright rod holders when you’re moving through tight cover. The Bow Junk Drawer (yes, that is the actual name) is a glovebox-style storage compartment up front that is perfect for tackle, tools, sunscreen, and everything else that used to end up loose on the deck. Gear tracks on both sides accept aftermarket accessories cleanly. The bow tankwell handles a crate, a cooler, or a dry bag without complaint.

The one gap in the layout is a pedal drive option — the RS117 does not offer one, and there is no factory conversion path. For anglers who prioritize hands-free propulsion, that is a real limitation worth weighing before you buy.

We won’t sugarcoat this: the RS117 is heavy. The base kayak comes in around 74 lb, and once you add a crate, rod holders, gear, and any accessories mounted to the tracks, you are regularly moving 85 lb or more. That is a serious solo transport situation. Loading onto a roof rack without a roller system or a loading assist is physically demanding, and doing it alone after a long day on the water requires either a system or a partner.

A kayak cart is not optional with this boat — it is a necessity. If your launch site involves a long carry across a parking lot or uneven terrain, plan the logistics before you fall in love with the kayak. The kayak weight and capacity guide we put together covers how to think through hull weight vs. load in practice, and it’s worth reading if you’re new to heavy sit-on-tops.

Storage at home or in a garage is another factor. At nearly 12 feet and over 30 inches wide, this is a kayak that needs a dedicated wall mount, sawhorses, or a ceiling hoist. It will not live happily balanced against a wall. If space and solo transport are real constraints in your situation, those factors need to be part of your decision — not an afterthought. Anglers managing weight or solo paddlers without loading assists should look at lighter options in our fishing kayaks under $1,000 guide, where several sub-65 lb options appear.

The RS117 is built for serious anglers who have already decided that stand-up fishing capability matters more than easy transport. If you regularly fish bass tournaments, wade shallow flats, or spend full days on the water chasing structure, the RS117 gives you a platform that can grow with your fishing — better ergonomics, more storage, and a hull that won’t embarrass you when conditions get uncomfortable.

It also suits heavier anglers who have felt limited by the 300 lb capacity common on mid-range fishing kayaks. The 425 lb ceiling gives real-world margin for a larger paddler plus a day’s worth of gear, which is a meaningful advantage that few kayaks at this price match.

Who should skip it? Beginners looking for their first kayak will find the weight and price steep before they know what features they actually use on the water — a lighter, simpler sit-on-top is a smarter entry point, and our sit-in vs sit-on-top guide can help you figure out which direction to go. River paddlers in moving water will also find the RS117’s width and weight a liability — it was designed for flatwater and calm tidal environments, not technical current. And if pedal drive is non-negotiable, the RS117 simply is not the boat. The kayak size guide can help you think through fit if you’re still deciding between classes. The American Canoe Association also publishes solid guidance on paddler safety and skills development that is worth reading before committing to any fishing kayak.

At $1,300 street price, the RS117 sits in the premium-but-not-absurd tier. You are paying for the seat system, the thoughtful fishing layout, and the hull engineering — not a brand name tax. For the right angler, that is fair value.