Viking Profish 400 Review – Lightweight Power and Precision

Yes — both are included as standard with every Viking Profish 400.
Each kayak comes fitted with the Viking Deluxe Seat and a two-piece fibreglass paddle.

This means the Profish 400 is ready to paddle straight away, without needing to budget for essential extras. You can always upgrade components later, but out of the box you already have a comfortable seat and a lightweight, durable paddle suitable for fishing and general paddling.

The Tackle Pod and Hurricane Seat are sold separately as premium upgrades for advanced anglers or longer expeditions.

The 400 features a redesigned bow and rocker, larger transducer cavity, improved handles, and the upgraded Hurricane Seat — all making it faster, lighter, and more stable.

Absolutely. By removing the Hatch Lid or Tackle Pod, the front section becomes a safe seat for a small child, while an additional seat can be added in the rear tank well for a second passenger — ideal for short family paddles or calm-water trips.

Yes. The Profish 400 is rudder-ready, and you can easily install a Bixpy motor or Asiwo unit behind the rudder for powered cruising or long-distance trips.
Additional motor mount brackets are also available if you prefer a custom installation setup.

The Profish 400 weighs around 27 kg fully rigged, including the seat, Tackle Pod, and basic electronics setup. Lightweight, easy to load, and perfect for solo paddlers.

Yes — with the right setup. If you remove the moulded hatch lid, the hatch recess becomes a protected sitting pocket that suits many younger kids (always supervise). As they get bigger, you can create a proper rear seating position by fitting a small seat behind you. All you typically need is four nylon saddles so your child can sit comfortably directly behind the paddler. Life jackets (PFDs) are always recommended for children and adults.

Like most sit-on-top fishing kayaks, you can expect some water around the seating area (spray, drips, scupper splash depending on conditions). If you want to stay drier and more comfortable, use a Viking kayak seat cushion (doesn’t absorb water) to lift you slightly and reduce that “wet seat” feeling.

It can be used by experienced paddlers in the right conditions, but it’s best thought of as a versatile fishing platform for bays, headlands, inshore reefs, estuaries and protected water. Offshore suitability depends more on weather window, swell, your skills, safety gear and experience than on any single kayak model.

Yes — many owners set the Profish 400 up with electric options. The cleanest approach is usually a rudder-mounted system or a dedicated adapter/mount depending on your steering preference and rig. If you tell me what motor/mount you’re planning (e.g., Bixpy Jet + rudder), I’ll suggest the cleanest setup pathway.

Very stable for its category. It’s designed as a fishing platform, so it feels confident while rigging, reaching for gear, landing fish, and changing position. Standing is possible for some paddlers, but stability will still depend on your balance, height/weight, and water conditions.

Often yes — that’s one of the practical advantages for transport and minimalism. Many kayak trolleys (or wheels) can fit inside the hull/hatch area (C-Tug for example) depending on trolley design.

1. The biggest real-world upgrades are usually:

• a comfortable Viking seat/cushion (comfort + dryness)

• a Profish rudder (tracking and control, especially wind/current)

• a sounder-ready setup (transducer mounting, clean wiring)

• Profish 400 Tackle Pod so you have direct access to all your fishing gear, your fish finder screen can be mounted directly on the Tackle Pod and you can lift the entire Tackle Pod out of the kayak and take it home fully loaded

• Insulated FishBag: ideal if you want flexibility. They keep fish organised, contained, and (in the insulated version) much cooler for longer sessions. Easy to remove, clean, and transport after the trip.

• ChillPod: the most “set-and-forget” option. It fits neatly in the rear tankwell, offers excellent insulation, and is perfect for anglers who regularly keep fish and want a dedicated, hard-wearing storage solution.

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The Profish 400 Tackle Pod makes your fishing setup faster, cleaner, and far more practical.
It gives you direct access to all your fishing gear through a single lid that’s much easier to manage than the standard front hatch. Your fish finder screen can be mounted directly on the Tackle Pod, so all electronics, battery and transducer stay together in one removable unit.

The biggest advantage? You can lift the entire Tackle Pod out of the kayak and take it home fully loaded. This means you carry your tackle, electronics and gear separately, keep everything dry, and avoid storing loose gear inside the moulded hatch. It also makes loading the kayak onto your car easier, because you’re lifting less weight and less clutter.

In short: quicker setup, easier transport, better organisation, and a cleaner kayak on the water.

Yes. The best comparison is based on where you fish most: protected water vs open water, how much gear you carry, whether you want a motor, and whether you plan to paddle long distances. If you tell me your typical spots (bay/river/headlands) I’ll point you to the best match.

Yes, for many people — because it’s stable, practical and easy to rig. But like any fishing kayak, your first priorities should be: PFD, leash discipline, weather judgement, and a simple setup before adding lots of gear.

It’s normal for scuppers to allow some water movement depending on load and conditions. Some paddlers use scupper plugs to reduce splash in calm water, but in rougher water you may prefer scuppers open for drainage. The “best” choice depends on your weight, seat height, and conditions.

It shines for anglers who want one kayak that can do a bit of everything: inshore fishing, bays, estuaries, flats, headlands, light offshore windows, and general adventure paddling — without being overly specialised.

Yes, especially with the right routine. Most people use quality roof racks + cam straps, and if you’re solo loading regularly, a loading aid or roller can make life much easier. For shorter vehicles, bow/stern lines are smart for highway driving.