Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Sit-On-Top Kayak
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
Great for fishing, photography or any hobby that requires a surplus of gear, this stable sit-on-top kayak offers easy transport, solid performance on the water and plenty of room for your gear.
Shop newer version- Smooth-paddling design tracks very well, offers surprising speed and turns easily
- High-density polyethylene hull provides rugged durability and easy care
- Multi-chine hull responds to leans and delivers terrific secondary stability; self-bailing hull ensures flotation in rough water
- Adjustable Phase3â„¢ AirPro seat uses mesh stretched over 3D perforated foam; large holes enhance airflow and small holes extend support for sit bones and lower back
- Footbrace system adjusts to maximize comfort and ensure optimal paddling position
- 19 in. bow and 8 in. midship Orbix hatches provide dry storage
- Molded-in stern storage well with shockcord keeps tackle box and dry bags secure
- Attach compatible accessories (not included) without tools or complicated adjustments via the dual Slide-Trax rail system in front of seating area and tank well
Made in USA.
View all Wilderness Systems Sit-On-Top Kayaks| Best Use | Flatwater Kayaking Fishing |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Rotomolded polyethylene |
| Length | 12 ft. 3 in. |
| Width | 30 inches |
| Seat Type | Padded / Foam |
| Number of Paddlers | 1-person |
| Paddle Included | No |
| Hatch Capacity | Unavailable |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 350 pounds |
| Tracking System | None |
| Weight | 63 pounds |
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Most Helpful Critical Review
Worth More Than It's Price
I've been looking at this kayak for a while now while evaluating several different options. I finally purchased one this spring and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. I'm a 6'1, 230 lb. man and this boat tracks with absolute ease. It handles my size without riding too low in the water. From a feature standpoint this kayak has everything I wanted and more. I use it for both recreational kayaking with my family as well as fishing. It is easily configure/re-configured for either activity. There is even room in it for my Golden Retriever to hitch a ride. Not only would I buy this kayak again, it would be hard to convince me to buy anything other than this kayak.
Fantastic. Used by adults and 10 y/o
Excellent tracking. Used both in Brushy Creek Lake as well as Lake Georgetown. Brushy Creek is usually very calm and the kids can race against 12 foot Jackson Riviera kayaks with no issue. Georgetown is a much bigger lake and paddling there feels like being on a fishing boat from Dangerous catch. Waves splashing everything. Both environments the kayaks work great. Comfortable seating. Storage is awesome. little hidden bag in seat is great for sunglasses. paddling gloves stayed in the storage grooves by the seat when we forgot them on the ride home.... Front bungee lets you easily lock your paddle quickly when both hands needed.
Well made, but slow and heavy
Like most Wilderness kayaks, it's well made and we'll designed. One weak spot is the seat back not holding position. It's mechanism is made of plastic and very fussy. I'm 6/2-220 and pretty much at its max weight for performance and when I add another 40lbs of gear, it's really a slug. Tracking and speed is good, but not as good as a Malibu X13 or Ocean Kayak Prowler. Weight is heavy for 12' kayak. A good overall kayak, but do yourself a big favor and test paddle a Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 or Trident and the Malibu X13 as their performance is better, weight is lower, and are longer for better speed and glide with excellent tracking.
Tarpon 120
I love my Tarpon 120. It tracks great and is very stable. I had an issue yesterday. I was on the river and my yak started to fill with water! Luckily I was close to shore (we had been much further out) and I was able to beach at a private boat ramp. Another few minutes and it would have been under water. The whole under deck filled up and the top part was filling fast. The yak had a small split in the seam on the outside right behind the seat. I only had it for 9 months and it was in storage for five of those months. I called REI and they exchanged it with no problem. My brother had the same issue with his and replaced it with a Tarpon 100 which he loves. I. like my Tarpon so much I am willing to take another chance.
Ignore review on "weight" issue with the WSTarpon
I'm 6' 2'' and 250 lbs. My wife is 5' 5'' and 125 lbs. My Tarpon 120 rides about 1.0 to 1.5 inches lower in the water than my wife's Tarpon 120. It is not significant in regard to performance or even noticeable. We kayak camp and do extended day kayaks on big water with gear as well. Never have I had a problem with water in my Tarpon 120. Water drains instantly through the scupper holes and I have never had any standing water or back-flow through the scupper holes. With wind, rollers, whitecaps or current, I can power paddle and still only experience minor splashing that instantly drains out. Due in part to my weight, when in rough conditions, my kayak is rock steady, stable and cuts straight through the waves while my wife struggles some with stability and directional control. Really impressive performance when paddling directly into wind and swells.This is a great kayak for large paddlers, with gear with a rating for 350 lbs. Sit-on-top kayaks and the Tarpon 120 are really user-friendly for large kayakers like me. My only criticism of the Tarpon 120 is loading and unloading it from the roof of my CRV. At 63 lbs. this kayak is a mini-workout when handling on shore. But it is the reason that it is so stable and thus family-friendly.
Really like it
I got the kayak in March and have 247 miles on it. I have used it on rivers Class II and I, lakes, and on the Illinois River. It has handled well in all circumstances. It will maneuver well on the rivers and have had no problem avoiding stuff in fast and twisting streams. Tracks well on lakes. I'm a big guy (250 pounds) and I did a 35 mile 2 night float last weekend. I was able to get all my gear in it and it handled great. With the added weight I had a little more water coming in the scupper holes but no big deal. My only real issue with it is the racks the foot pegs are in come back way too far. You would have to be 3 foot tall to have the pegs back so far. Lots of time it rubs against my legs and bother them. If the racks were just a few inches shorter, they would be out of the way and more comfortable. A little bit of water seems to get in the boat. I have bad knees and I got the sitontop because it is so much easier to get in and out of. Its my first boat and I would get the same thing again.
5-Stars for the right paddler
This is an excellent kayak for a paddler that weighs in no more than 180 pounds; even less is better. It's all because of the underside of the kayak. With more than 180 pounds the kayak sits low in the water (increased stability = good) however, with the low sides you'll end up sitting in a puddle, that will not go out the scuppers as the boat is too low in the water. Worse is when you find yourself in rough waters, you'll have water over the sides. I of course found all this out (I'm 205 pounds) on one of the kayaking forums after I'd purchased. If you carry equipment, weigh more than 180 you should do some Google searches to study how heavier paddlers have found this boat; you may find another kayak that will suit you better. The W.S. Tarpon 140 is a bit narrower, but does support weight better. The W.S. Ride 115 & 135 are even better yet. Or, you could purchase this and as soon as you find it doesn't suit you, take it back to REI and request a different kayak - after all, it is 100% customer satisfaction.
Sadly disappointing
Sadly we had to return our two Tarpon 120's last night. When we received them from REI one of the hatches was broken, so they fixed it. Before we got it in the water one of the foot pegs broke, so we took them back to REI and they fixed it. On Father's day 3 more foot pegs broke without doing anything but paddling along. So, we too them back to REI and this time returned both boats. Due to the hassle of fixing these parts multiple times we didn't want to deal with it anymore. The plastic parts on these boats are poorly made and could use some improvements. Other than that, we really enjoyed the boats the three time we got to use them. Stable, pretty smooth through the water and very spacious for our Golden Retriever and fishing equipment. If only those small plastic pieces would have held up, we would have kept them. I think with the right reinforcements, it can be a great boat.
wilderness kayak 120
Wonderful product, we just retired and the Wilderness 120 is stable on windy days and easy to get in and out of. Adam was extremely helpful in guiding us to the right paddles and vests. REI is a wonderful place.
Incredible Kayak
I have owned the WS Pungo-120 for over 6 years now. When I decided to get a sit-on kayak WS was my first choice based on that boat. I really didn't give any other kayak serious consideration and I don't regret it. I've had mine for less than a month and been in the Atlantic several times already. Before I bought it I had my concerns about the weight, despite already knowing this was the kayak for me. The handles at midpoint of the boat's length greatly offset weight concerns when mounting to the top of a full size SUV and the 63 pound weight of the boat feels near weightless once it's in the water. In calm water this is actually a pretty fast boat and tracks exceptionally well. Even in rough water-I was in 4-5 foot swells just last night-it is still relatively easy to handle. One of the reasons I selected this over the 100 model was the capacity for storage. There is plenty of room for additional equipment, supplies, safety gear, etc if you plan a longer time out on the water. This is a product that is worth the price tag. I would recommend this to any prospective buy looking around this price point.