Once I got a drop in tankwell, I quit using a milk crate
more pics of my second T16:
http://paddle-fishing-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=25293
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160
Please give a review
Once I got a drop in tankwell, I quit using a milk crate
more pics of my second T16:
http://paddle-fishing-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=25293
Once I got a drop in tankwell, I quit using a milk crate
more pics of my second T16:
http://paddle-fishing-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=25293
Last edited by Rik on Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:56 am, edited 2 times in total.
Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
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MrSpectaculous
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Todd
- PFTS Chairman
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The Tarpon 160 is one of the most popular boats out there. I have yet to write a review so as I do not get accused of having a conflict of interest.
I will say that the 160 is IMO probably the fastest SOT that is available on the market. Stating the obvious it is long. Being 16' you need adequate storage space to keep it at home. It is also a big boat to carry and mount on top of vehicles and such.
Has plenty of storage space and a standard milk crate fits just fine in the tankwell. I also feel that a rudder is mandatory for this boat. Even though it tracks incredibly straight the rudder is very helpful.
It is not the most stable boat on the market so don't expect to be able to stand and fish from it. Vercetti is the only person I have ever seen that can stand in a 160 and pole it along, how he does that I still have no idea.
I have a 160 and a 140 and use the 160 the majority of the time. If I am going on a trip where I know we will be navigating small creeks and such I would not take my 160. On the open water the 160 is the boat to use. Very effortless to paddle, gets up to speed well and stays there.
It is definitely a boat that needs to be test paddled to get a feel for the stability. Not just a quick 5 minute paddle but a good test to make sure you can handle it and you are comfortable in it. The standard seat works fine for me. I use a yakpad and have no problems. On days when my back is acting up I add my surf to summit seat for the extra comfort and support.
The area where they suggest to mount a forward rod holder is a long reach. Before mounting in that spot make sure you are comfortable with that location. I moved mine way back.
I will be on the water tomorrow and can post some pics tomorrow of my rigged 160.
I will say that the 160 is IMO probably the fastest SOT that is available on the market. Stating the obvious it is long. Being 16' you need adequate storage space to keep it at home. It is also a big boat to carry and mount on top of vehicles and such.
Has plenty of storage space and a standard milk crate fits just fine in the tankwell. I also feel that a rudder is mandatory for this boat. Even though it tracks incredibly straight the rudder is very helpful.
It is not the most stable boat on the market so don't expect to be able to stand and fish from it. Vercetti is the only person I have ever seen that can stand in a 160 and pole it along, how he does that I still have no idea.
I have a 160 and a 140 and use the 160 the majority of the time. If I am going on a trip where I know we will be navigating small creeks and such I would not take my 160. On the open water the 160 is the boat to use. Very effortless to paddle, gets up to speed well and stays there.
It is definitely a boat that needs to be test paddled to get a feel for the stability. Not just a quick 5 minute paddle but a good test to make sure you can handle it and you are comfortable in it. The standard seat works fine for me. I use a yakpad and have no problems. On days when my back is acting up I add my surf to summit seat for the extra comfort and support.
The area where they suggest to mount a forward rod holder is a long reach. Before mounting in that spot make sure you are comfortable with that location. I moved mine way back.
I will be on the water tomorrow and can post some pics tomorrow of my rigged 160.
You know what La Quinta means in English? Behind Dennys. MarkM
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countryboy_ucf
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: New Port Richey
I bought a Tarpon 160i because it had the speed I needed to transition from a touring kayak to a sit on top, while also giving me the ability to hold all of my gear (something my touring kayak was not good for...). Once I got into it I realized just how different the sit-in and sit on top were, but I got used to it and the speed was more than ample to keep me interested.
As far as stability goes, I still give it high ratings. I can stand up fairly easily and while fishing for long periods standing up is difficult, poling across the flats is a piece of cake. The only time I fell off was when I stood up to take a piss and my little beagle, who happened to be fishing with me that day, decided to take my seat. I went to sit down not realizing she was there until the last moment when I quickly stood up and lost my balance, ruining a very nice cell phone...
Tracking is amazing and the kayak will keep going with momentum even into the wind after you have stopped paddling. While going in a straight line is perfect, turning is something different. You definetly need a rutter because this thing doesn't turn on a dime like a sit-in or a shorter kayak. Its more like a barge. But if you are a skilled paddler this can mostly be overcome.
Storage on the kayak is good enough for me but my dad went with the wilderness system ride 135 because he wanted to carry a bigger cooler (more for beer than fish). Being a thinner, and therefore faster, kayak it does sacrifice some rear storage.
Only bad things, or should I say least desirable things, about this kayak are 1) it turns like a barge 2) front area for rod holder is a good reach even for someone with long arms. Besides this I have no complaints. I wouldn't trade this kayak for anything.
As far as stability goes, I still give it high ratings. I can stand up fairly easily and while fishing for long periods standing up is difficult, poling across the flats is a piece of cake. The only time I fell off was when I stood up to take a piss and my little beagle, who happened to be fishing with me that day, decided to take my seat. I went to sit down not realizing she was there until the last moment when I quickly stood up and lost my balance, ruining a very nice cell phone...
Tracking is amazing and the kayak will keep going with momentum even into the wind after you have stopped paddling. While going in a straight line is perfect, turning is something different. You definetly need a rutter because this thing doesn't turn on a dime like a sit-in or a shorter kayak. Its more like a barge. But if you are a skilled paddler this can mostly be overcome.
Storage on the kayak is good enough for me but my dad went with the wilderness system ride 135 because he wanted to carry a bigger cooler (more for beer than fish). Being a thinner, and therefore faster, kayak it does sacrifice some rear storage.
Only bad things, or should I say least desirable things, about this kayak are 1) it turns like a barge 2) front area for rod holder is a good reach even for someone with long arms. Besides this I have no complaints. I wouldn't trade this kayak for anything.
Nick F
Hobie Revolution
"More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own
story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me."
Hobie Revolution
"More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own
story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me."
After 17 days of extensive paddling in various conditions, here is my take on the Tarpon 160i.
I received the kayak from Wilderness Systems and the Andy Thornal Company in Winter Haven to use for Paddle Around the Bay. Stamped into the hull was "Grade B". Not sure what that meant, I suppose it was a hull with some type of imprefections. I did notice just after I took out for the first few trips that small rust spots (specks) were noticable on the hull. They were easly removed with a finger nail and never reappeared.
I found the kayak to be much faster and easier to paddle than my Heritage 14. At 6'2", 240 lbs I did noticed that the aft end of my kayak did sit very low in the water, compared to my Heritage. The rear tank well would be very full at times, thus my tackle trays in the milk crate would get water in them from time to time.
I would also get water in the seat from the scupper holes located right behind the seat. Especially if there was any chop.
Getting in and out was OK, no real problems.
In following or quartering seas, it got a little unstable. It would tend to roll with the waves, I've been told this is called "Perling". Being a little more narrower than what I was used to, you would really have to pay attention in the chop, timing your strokes to the wave action.
The paddle straps on both sides could use some improvements. The way the sides are designed, the straps dont really hold your paddle or stake out pole in place very well.
The cockpit area has enough room. There is a small dry hatch between your legs as well as a length of bungee. The hatch is accessible, with some work. I never used the bungee to secure anything, it would have gotten in the way.
The front hatch is very good, large enough to fit most items you might want to store. If fits very secure and is really water tight. It is hard to re-secure from the cockpit area. I would spread my legs and scoot forward if I needed anything out of it and it was to deep to get out.
Over all, I liked it. It would be on the top of my list to purchase.
I received the kayak from Wilderness Systems and the Andy Thornal Company in Winter Haven to use for Paddle Around the Bay. Stamped into the hull was "Grade B". Not sure what that meant, I suppose it was a hull with some type of imprefections. I did notice just after I took out for the first few trips that small rust spots (specks) were noticable on the hull. They were easly removed with a finger nail and never reappeared.
I found the kayak to be much faster and easier to paddle than my Heritage 14. At 6'2", 240 lbs I did noticed that the aft end of my kayak did sit very low in the water, compared to my Heritage. The rear tank well would be very full at times, thus my tackle trays in the milk crate would get water in them from time to time.
I would also get water in the seat from the scupper holes located right behind the seat. Especially if there was any chop.
Getting in and out was OK, no real problems.
In following or quartering seas, it got a little unstable. It would tend to roll with the waves, I've been told this is called "Perling". Being a little more narrower than what I was used to, you would really have to pay attention in the chop, timing your strokes to the wave action.
The paddle straps on both sides could use some improvements. The way the sides are designed, the straps dont really hold your paddle or stake out pole in place very well.
The cockpit area has enough room. There is a small dry hatch between your legs as well as a length of bungee. The hatch is accessible, with some work. I never used the bungee to secure anything, it would have gotten in the way.
The front hatch is very good, large enough to fit most items you might want to store. If fits very secure and is really water tight. It is hard to re-secure from the cockpit area. I would spread my legs and scoot forward if I needed anything out of it and it was to deep to get out.
Over all, I liked it. It would be on the top of my list to purchase.
"Anytime I shag a buddies wife I always cut the lawn when I'm done " ~ The Leg End ~
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BlueWaterMD
- Posts: 60
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I have had the Tarpon 160i for about 8 months now. It is a great boat and has served me well. Very fast for a plastic SOT. A little less primary stability than some other boats on the market, but that is the price you pay for speed.
Mine is rigged fairly simply. 2 ram tubes in the back and one ram rod holder in the front. The one in the front will hold either a spinning rod or my fly rod. I don't use a milk crate, and geberally travel lite. I usually keep one tackle tray bungeed fown to the flat part of the deck between my knees. It doesn't get in the way at all and is very convenient. I also have a paddle leash, rod leashes, and a hatch keeper for the front.
As far as the rudder goes, it is a must. The boat tracks very straight - so straight that turning can be dificult without the rudder. Also rudders are great as you can just set up a drift by the mangroves, and use the rudder to keep you on track.
Anyway, here is a pic of my boat along with the fiancee's RTM Disco in Bahia Honda. We caught a ton of barracuda that day!
<a><img></a>
Mine is rigged fairly simply. 2 ram tubes in the back and one ram rod holder in the front. The one in the front will hold either a spinning rod or my fly rod. I don't use a milk crate, and geberally travel lite. I usually keep one tackle tray bungeed fown to the flat part of the deck between my knees. It doesn't get in the way at all and is very convenient. I also have a paddle leash, rod leashes, and a hatch keeper for the front.
As far as the rudder goes, it is a must. The boat tracks very straight - so straight that turning can be dificult without the rudder. Also rudders are great as you can just set up a drift by the mangroves, and use the rudder to keep you on track.
Anyway, here is a pic of my boat along with the fiancee's RTM Disco in Bahia Honda. We caught a ton of barracuda that day!
<a><img></a>
