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Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak

RED

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak

$875.00

(7)

Item # 785478

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Offering easy transport, solid performance on the water and plenty of room for gear, the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 sit-on-top kayak is the boat you've been waiting for.

Winner of the 2008-2011 Sea Kayaker Magazine Reader's Choice award for best sit-on-top kayak
Smooth-paddling design lends itself to serious paddling fun; kayak tracks very well, offers surprising speed and turns easily
Hull is crafted in high-density Gen2™ polyethylene to provide rugged durability and easy care
Multichine hull responds to leans and delivers terrific secondary stability; self-bailing hull ensures flotation in rough water
12 ft. length and moderate weight allow kayak to be transported by the solo paddler
Redesigned Phase 3™ SOT seat features increased air circulation, adjustable backrest and leg support and easily accessible adjustment
Increased tank well size with bungee cords keeps tackle box and dry bags secure
New dual Slide-Trax rail system at front of seating area and tank well attach compatible accessories (not included) without tools or complicated adjustments
Keepers footbraces adjust to maximize comfort, personalizing your paddling experience and ensuring optimal paddling position
8 in. center hatch and 19 in. bow hatch offer dry storage for small items like clothing and lunch
Hatch covers feature a hinged design and locking lever; to open hatch, simply slide lever to unlock cover and flip open to access gear
Stow your paddle when you get a bite with the bungee paddle/rod holders with quick-release tabs
Molded-in mesh pockets stash small items, and comfort carry handles ease transport

Made in USA.

Item 785478

An oversize shipping charge of $125 applies to this item (plus regular shipping fees). Or ship it FREE to any REI store for pickup. Please allow up to two weeks for delivery (except for inflatable and folding boats).
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Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak

4.7

(based on 7 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Easy in/out (7)
Good maneuverability (7)
Stable (7)
Comfortable (6)
Easy to paddle (6)

Cons

Heavy (3)

Best Uses

Day trip (7)
Flat waters (7)
Rivers (7)
Kayak camping (5)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Casual/ recreational (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (3)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 7 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-7

Mar

2009

(63 of 63 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Tarpon 120 - Best Kayak I ever Owned!

By Rawhide

from Austin, TX

About Me Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Lots of storage space
Roomy
Rugged
Stable
Versatility

Cons

Best Uses

Day Trips
Fishing
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Kayaking with Dog
Ocean Swells
Overnite Camping Trips
Rapids
Rivers

Comments about Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak:

The Tarpon 120 is my third and best kayak. I bought from REI after renting one from their local store. Mainly used for fishing, I have equipped it with Scotty and RAM mounts for a variety of rod holders, camera, GPS, night navigation light, etc... Installed a fish finder, very easy due to three access points to the inside of hull. Makes a very comfortable platform for long hours of fishing. Great for overnite camping, holds lots of stuff, the inside of the hull stays absolutely dry. I can store my rod and reels inside the hull via the large hatch in the bow. My 45lb Dog rides comfortably sitting in the large rear compartment. Tracks and paddles great fully loaded or not. I have taken it on rivers and it can really take a pounding on the rocks, also handles saltwater swells as well. Stable, but still sleak enough to be a swift paddler. Only minor complaint is the flexible handles can pinch the fingers when loading/unloading the kayak into the truck. Definitely recommend this kayak, especially for fishing enthusiasts.

Jun

2009

(30 of 33 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

This is a great watercraft

By beginner

from Northern Michigan

About Me Beginner

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy To Lift
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Rivers
Shallow swamps

Comments about Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak:

We bought this kayak this summer at the recommendation of the salesperson because we had never heard of a sit on top. I am older, not athletic and have a slight disability which makes getting out of a standard kayak increasingly difficult, but this made my trips pleasurable. We have to portage some on every trip we take and it was easy to get in, get out and carry. Very stable, scooted through shallow swamps and over sand bars easily. My nephew just returned from sea kayaking on NOLS Alaska and was skeptical at first, but really liked it after taking it out and putting it through it's paces. I will buy another next summer for the rest of the family to use.

May

2010

(8 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

I love my Tarpon 120

By KayaKeith

from Indiana

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy to Paddle
Good Glide
Good Maneuverability
Stable

Cons

Hard Seat
Heavy
Not Enough Storage

Best Uses

Creeks
Day Trips
Fishing
Flat Waters
Rivers

Comments about Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak:

I use my Tarpon mostly for fishing a creek that has lots of water too shallow to float any boat. The bottom of this stream is mostly gravel and limestone bedrock. I absolutely abuse the hull of my Tarpon on every trip and have done so many times since 2005. It looked battle-worn after the first use and I couldn't care less. It looks no worse five years later and its performance is unaffected. Unless Wilderness Systems has changed (for the worse)the plastic used to mold these boats since I got mine, I can't imagine that any kayak could be tougher that this one.

This toughness comes at a price and the price is weight. The hull of my Tarpon is tough and rigid because it is thick and, consequently, heavy. The weight is of little importance while you're on the water but loading this on top of my station wagon by myself is difficult and it was horrible when I used to drive a Suburban.

I also own an Ocean Kayak Caper which, compared to the Tarpon, is considerably more flexible (flimsy?) and I doubt it will last as long as the Tarpon. Still, it fishes well and weighs 15# less. It is hard to overstate how much easier it is to load the OK onto the top of my car. The OK has lots more interior storage: I can store 2 paddles, several 1-piece fishing rods, and 2 life jackets in it with room to spare. I can't even fit a spare paddle inside my Tarpon. I hope Wilderness Systems has made some changes in the redesigns since 2005 which remedy this shortcoming.

I have to say that the hard plastic seat gives me plenty of back support but becomes miserably painful to my back-side after a few hours. Be careful adding cushioning because raising your center of gravity a few inches can impact stability.

Several other people from my 75 pound daughter to friends pushing 300 pounds have paddled both my kayaks and all of them found them stable and easy to use. Some prefer the Tarpon for its sturdy yet maneuverable feel. I slightly prefer the OK for its light weight and storage. I love both my kayaks and I don't think anybody would ever regret buying a Tarpon.

A comment for fishermen: my Tarpon did not come outfitted for fishing. I added a milk crate for storage behind the seat and a rod holder mounted between my knees as recommended in fishing magazines and on websites. These alterations were a waste of my time and money. The best use of the rear tank well for a stream fisherman is holding a cooler and a dry bag. I removed the rod holder which was in my way more than it was in use. I keep a small tackle box or two and a rod or two within easy reach between my legs on the bottom of the boat. I don't need any electronics, a rudder, or an anchor. Keep your boat's deck from getting too cluttered and you will be able to quickly stop and get out to wade or bank fish the best spots.

Jun

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great!!!

By Robbieboy

from Phoenix, AZ

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Compact
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Stable

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Ocean Swells
Rivers

Comments about Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak:

This is a great Kayak! Extremely stable, yet tracks and turns well. Good for 3-4 day camping trips and fishing. No problem getting it on my 4runner (yakima racks and rollers). You will be happy with this yak!

Mar

2011

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

A great kayak

By philfromktown

from Kannapolis, NC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy To Lift
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Rivers

Comments about Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak:

I do mostly river kayaking and a little in the lakes I like to fish, camp, geocache and just explore in general and this is a great boat for it. Its easier to manuever and lighter to carry than my ride 135 and you stay a lot drier, that is if you want to. If you geocache it is so much easier to get in and out of when you get to GZ. I would recomment this baby to anyone.

May

2010

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

I made the right choice!

By Tony on the Water

from Lansing, MI

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy Entry & Exit
Good Maneuverability
Stable

Cons

Heavy

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Kayak Camping
Rivers

Comments about Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak:

I haven't had a chance to go out much with it so far, but I'll gladly take it anyplace I have the nerve to go! It rides and steers well, if comfortable, and carries everything I need. It's a little wide but I'm getting used to it with the paddle. People have been amazed at how dry I stay even with modest white caps.

Service and delivery comments:

I had the product shipped to store and it came in ahead of schedule. I had an email notification with a USPS tracking number which didn't work and struck me as odd to imagine a mail carrier delivering a 12 foot kayak. Customer service informed me that it was being delivered by truck and was able to give me a better estimate on the delivery date.

Jul

2011

5.0

Very much worth the money

By JHoneycutt

from Rock Hill,SC

About Me Beginner

See all my reviews

Pros

Comfortable
Easy Entry & Exit
Easy to Paddle
Good Maneuverability
Stable

Cons

Best Uses

Day Trips
Flat Waters
Rivers

Comments about Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak:

My wife and I bought a pair of these to do river paddling and maybe some overnight trips. These kayaks are very comfortable,I have had no problems after sitting in for over 3 hours. They are very flexible to different size people,I am 6'3" and my wife is 4'10". The dry wells will leak some but not horribly bad. Everywhere we go people compliment us on them and wanna know where we got them. Overall I recommend this model to any one. We are newbies and these kayaks have been excellent.The small stow slots are nice by the seat for holding sunscreen or other small items. The one complaint i may have is that the cup holder is completely useless. It is positioned way to forward on the kayak. i have long arms and i still have to move forward in the seat to reach it. Overall a great all around kayak that can handle flat water,rocky rivers and moderate size rapids.