Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 Review

Wilderness Systems has been refining the Tarpon sit-on-top kayak design for over 20 years. The current version is available in three sizes: 105, 120, and 140. For this review, we tested the Tarpon 105, which is 10 feet, 6 inches long, and 32 inches wide. It has a large rear storage well and a dry hatch on the bow. There are self-draining holes in the foot well of the Tarpon, which you can choose to seal with scupper plugs if you so choose.

Glide and Tracking

At 10.5 feet long, this kayak isn't necessarily built for speed, or for extended distances. It's short compared to longer, more touring-style boats. It's more of a short-range kayak that was designed for maneuverability in tight coves and meandering rivers rather than long-distance journeys.

The hull is flat for the most part, but it has a unique flare at the bow to boost its ability to cut through waves and a pointed stern to assist it in tracking and gliding through the water. The hull has a dual inverted keel design, helping this relatively flush bottom to track and glide more efficiently. It glides well — it's just not the best.

To improve tracking, it is also possible to add a rudder to the Tarpon by purchasing the XL Rudder kit. An expensive accessory, it may well be worth it for those looking to improve tracking for comfort, fishing, or photography.

Stability

The Tarpon 105 is a podium placer when it comes to stability, thanks to its generous width, relatively flat bottom, and moderate overall length. The seat position is slightly lifted off the floor, which raises the center of gravity an inch, but overall, it is an incredibly steady craft that is suitable for gentle currents.

Larger paddlers will easily fit in the Tarpon 105 but may consider a larger version to maintain the best advantage of stability. If well distributed, loading this kayak with extra weight will make it more stable up to its maximum load capacity of 325 pounds. That will give you plenty of space to bring a lot of fishing tackle or camping gear.

Maneuverability

Given its overall size and above-average weight, the Tarpon 105 is more maneuverable than expected. The lack of a pronounced V-shaped hull or rigid, defined keel allows the boat to turn more easily and quickly than similarly sized kayaks. The flared hull and ever-so-subtle rocker at the front and back of the boat promote efficient turning with minimal effort.

Ease of Transport

Despite not being that long, the Tarpon weighs 57 pounds, making it one of the heavier kayaks in our testing lineup. We never noticed this weight on the water, but this heavy vessel is awkward to carry on load, particularly if you are on your own.

Given the weight and open design of this kayak, you can't carry this kayak on your shoulders, unlike some of the other models we tested. There are a plethora of well-positioned, robust handles which makes carrying more comfortable. We particularly like the thick, soft rubber grips which help spread the load in your hands.

Due to its weight, many choose to use a kayak dolly to help transport this kayak. However, if you don't have this available and have no friends at hand, you can drag this kayak, and the hull is protected thanks to the replaceable skid plate on the underside of the Tarpon.

Comfort

Comfort was one metric where the Tarpon really stands out, with testers noting “…the Tarpon 105 delivers outstanding all-around comfort”. Wilderness Systems put a lot of thought and effort into their ergonomic seating system, from contoured seats and backrests to the soft edges of the leg lifter that contours beneath your thighs.

They also had the foresight to use multi-sized holes in the special perforated foam padding to promote aeration and help the seat padding air out and dry quickly. This, along with the tight mesh covering, keeps your back safe from sweat and water that may splash inside. This is one of the most comfortable boats in our lineup.

The Keeper XL foot braces are sturdy and easily adjustable. You just reach down and squeeze the lever behind the foot pedal, slide the foot pegs to the desired slot along the rail, and release it to lock it into the most comfortable position. There are also two handy paddle holders attached to each side of the gunnels by the seat. The company spared no expense with comfort, and this is evident from the first time you sit in one of their boats and take it out for a paddle.

Construction Quality

Wilderness Systems doesn't mess around when building their high-density roto-molded linear polyethylene boats. You can tell from your first look at their kayaks that they want to produce crafts that stand the test of time and withstand the normal knocks and scrapes that come with transporting and pulling their vessels on and offshore.

The Tarpon 105 has a large open rear storage well with a mesh cover that is great for stashing dry bags or gear. On the front of the kayak, a 9-inch by 6-inch sealable dry hatch opens up volumes of storage space within the kayak. Not all of this space is easily accessible, and you could definitely lose a small item in its depths. Keeping your gear in sealed bags will help to avoid this. The storage latch on the dry box has a simple and secure twist and latch closure system. We much preferred this to the more flimsy levers used on the Orbix hatch covers on other Tarpon models.

An excellent feature only offered on the Tarpon 105 is the accessory rails built into the gunnels at the front of the boat. This allows you to rig fishing pole holders, GPS or fish finder screens, cameras, or anything else you might want to attach to your boat without having to drill holes.

Should You Buy the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105?

Though a bit more expensive than its nearest competitor, the Tarpon 105 more than justifies the additional cost with all the cool extra features and dry storage options. If you appreciate convenient storage and like to have everything available at hand, this kayak is a great match. Its well-designed hull and high-density roto-molded linear polyethylene plastic will likely pay off in the long term, as the quality manufacturing should add to the life of the boat.

What Other Kayaks Should You Consider?

The sit-on-top Tarpon 105 kayak offers great stability, comfort, and accessibility in a kayak that is also very maneuverable. In these respects, it is unmatched in our lineup. If you'd like better maneuverability and tracking in a lighter package, the Eddyline Skylark is another favorite of ours, though it doesn't come cheap. And if you'd rather have a sit-inside kayak, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is one of the best you can get.