Great video. You're preaching to the choir! I have owned a wilderness ride 135 for years. When I bought it it was a demo/rental sitting in the water. I plucked it out of the lake and had it over my head in a single movement. Due to some shoulder issues I can't manhandle it like that anymore. It sounds like the tarpon 105 has all the stability features I need while being lighter and sounds like it's more manageable (tracking) Does the back of the seat flip down for transport? If you said so in the video I may have missed it. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed this walkthru! We refurbed a Ride not too long ago: can't beat a Wilderness!! The Tarpon seat flips forward for transport and is secured by a bungee cord.
@@trustysailandpaddle Hey again! I keep rewatching this video from time to time. You responded to a question regarding your opinion of the new Targa 100 and the Tarpon 105. As I mentioned I have a Ride 135. You made reference to the Targa's pontoon type hull. That intrigued me. Didn't realize there were different hull types in the sit on tops. Should have I suppose. Good to learn. That makes it more like the Ride, correct? I can sail literally in inches of water and after some "pressure tactics" have grown to relax with my kayaks stability. I was a nervous norvus. My wife has a sea kayak. While she paddles effortlessly like a swan moving like quicksilver gliding in pristine silence I find myself powering through water making waves and noises, about as subtle as a chainsaw, like some big lab dog chasing a stick in the water just to keep up with her. She puts up with me. I have compromised speed and tracking for stability but really want the Tarpon. Am I risking a lot of stability with it's hull ? (the non pontoon type) I'm a little more comfortable on the water than when I started but my wife knows some of my stability fears come from arthritic issues. She advises me I won't do well in a sea kayak and I trust her. If you compared a sea kayak to a Ride135 with a sliding scale between (sea kayak 0) 0 -10 where would you place the Tarpon 105? Sorry for all the words but I find you very knowledgeable and I will be buying, hopefully, the Tarpon shortly. It's just due diligence to not plunk 1300-1500 CDN down if stability is an issue. I realize most kayaks will be a step back from my Ride stability wise but I guess I was wondering how much. Like I said sorry this was so long. Hope you're having a great summer!
@@davidcaissie7957 yes, the Tarpon 120 or 140 will be most like your Ride 135. Typically, the numbers on a kayak following the model name indicate it’s length in feet and inches. So the Ride 13.5 is 13’5/6”, that puts it closest to the Tarpon 140 in length. The Tarpon was actually the update to the Ride when they discontinued the Ride model after Confluence Outdoors bought Wilderness Systems. However, there is a significant beam difference between the Tarpon 120 and 140 (let’s say the 105 I talk about in this video is not appropriate, assuming you are an average sized male). The beam of the 120 is 32” while the 140 is 29”. Now, the added length of the 140 will assist a good deal in displacing your weight but for most beginner to intermediate paddlers where stability is a primary concern, the beam bears more importance. I will also assume that your wife has a proper sit inside ocean-going kayak instead of the Johnson Outdoors manufactured “ocean kayak” - these same names can be a source of confusion and miscommunication. Ocean going kayaks typically have no hull channeling underneath and have smooth hulls instead. They are maneuvered differently and their length is what enables the improved speed. So, the Tarpon 120 will be closest to your Ride without sacrificing stability. It also offers more stern storage, but it is otherwise quite similar to the 105 in this video. No sit on top can ever measure up to an ocean-going kayak, but you won’t be able to find one better than a Tarpon. Rest easy in your purchase and way to do your due diligence!
Thank you for the review. Have you paddled in the Targa 100 yet? Curious of your opinion in how it compares to the Tarpon in regards to paddling and what type of waters it can go in
Yes! The Targa is a brand new platform from WS and has a unique style of seat, not a as high as your standard sit on top, but not as low as the tarpon. That makes it very suitable for paddlers who have knee issues (you don’t have as far to go to get into the seat). The seat base on the targa is also accommodating for a wide range of hip measurements. She has a pontoon style hull and floats in ankle deep water. But, as a result, she lacks in tracking as compared to the tarpon. Targa would be good for calm coastal, slow to moderate moving rivers, and lakes. Turning into the wind and mediocre tracking make it a poor choice for bigger water, strong currents and windy conditions.
Unlike whitewater kayaks, appropriate paddles for rec kayaks, like the one in this video, are based on boat beam and paddler size. This tarpon has a beam of 32", pretty wide for its length. 220cm is the minimum paddle length appropriate for this boat. 230 is going to be a better fit if you are lacking in strength and flexibility as you will not be reaching as far forward on your catch, rotating through your stroke as effectively or as enthusiastically popping your paddle out at your hip. If you are particularly broad shouldered, a longer paddle will always be needed but if you are not, you will sacrifice efficiency with a longer paddle. So 220-230cm for the length. If you are consistently knocking your hand, it's bad form. If you are knocking your shaft, your paddle is too long. Now paddle material is another story... your basic paddle is aluminum shaft, nylon blade with a push button adjustment. There's nothing wrong with it, but aluminum though light in the metal world, is kinda heavy in the paddle world. Nylon, though durable, is also heavy and prone to breakage in rough environments. I also find that your flutter away a lot of your power with nylon blades in heavy current. Since this Tarpon is a paddle-only boat, I strongly recommend a paddle that is composite. Like bicycles, you are paying for less weight. Buy the lightest composite paddle you can afford; 100% woven carbon is best.
Really nicely done video with lots of great information!
Great review! Thanks!
Super informative video, thank you!
Great review. So nice listening to someone that really knows there product. Thanks for posting
Great video.
You're preaching to the choir!
I have owned a wilderness ride 135 for years. When I bought it it was a demo/rental sitting in the water. I plucked it out of the lake and had it over my head in a single movement. Due to some shoulder issues I can't manhandle it like that anymore. It sounds like the tarpon 105 has all the stability features I need while being lighter and sounds like it's more manageable (tracking)
Does the back of the seat flip down for transport? If you said so in the video I may have missed it.
Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed this walkthru! We refurbed a Ride not too long ago: can't beat a Wilderness!! The Tarpon seat flips forward for transport and is secured by a bungee cord.
@@trustysailandpaddle
Hey again!
I keep rewatching this video from time to time.
You responded to a question regarding your opinion of the new Targa 100 and the Tarpon 105.
As I mentioned I have a Ride 135.
You made reference to the Targa's pontoon type hull. That intrigued me. Didn't realize there were different hull types in the sit on tops. Should have I suppose. Good to learn. That makes it more like the Ride, correct? I can sail literally in inches of water and after some "pressure tactics" have grown to relax with my kayaks stability. I was a nervous norvus.
My wife has a sea kayak. While she paddles effortlessly like a swan moving like quicksilver gliding in pristine silence I find myself powering through water making waves and noises, about as subtle as a chainsaw, like some big lab dog chasing a stick in the water just to keep up with her.
She puts up with me.
I have compromised speed and tracking for stability but really want the Tarpon.
Am I risking a lot of stability with it's hull ? (the non pontoon type)
I'm a little more comfortable on the water than when I started but my wife knows some of my stability fears come from arthritic issues. She advises me I won't do well in a sea kayak and I trust her.
If you compared a sea kayak to a Ride135 with a sliding scale between (sea kayak 0) 0 -10 where would you place the Tarpon 105?
Sorry for all the words but I find you very knowledgeable and I will be buying, hopefully, the Tarpon shortly. It's just due diligence to not plunk 1300-1500 CDN down if stability is an issue.
I realize most kayaks will be a step back from my Ride stability wise but I guess I was wondering how much.
Like I said sorry this was so long.
Hope you're having a great summer!
@@davidcaissie7957 yes, the Tarpon 120 or 140 will be most like your Ride 135. Typically, the numbers on a kayak following the model name indicate it’s length in feet and inches. So the Ride 13.5 is 13’5/6”, that puts it closest to the Tarpon 140 in length. The Tarpon was actually the update to the Ride when they discontinued the Ride model after Confluence Outdoors bought Wilderness Systems. However, there is a significant beam difference between the Tarpon 120 and 140 (let’s say the 105 I talk about in this video is not appropriate, assuming you are an average sized male). The beam of the 120 is 32” while the 140 is 29”. Now, the added length of the 140 will assist a good deal in displacing your weight but for most beginner to intermediate paddlers where stability is a primary concern, the beam bears more importance. I will also assume that your wife has a proper sit inside ocean-going kayak instead of the Johnson Outdoors manufactured “ocean kayak” - these same names can be a source of confusion and miscommunication. Ocean going kayaks typically have no hull channeling underneath and have smooth hulls instead. They are maneuvered differently and their length is what enables the improved speed. So, the Tarpon 120 will be closest to your Ride without sacrificing stability. It also offers more stern storage, but it is otherwise quite similar to the 105 in this video. No sit on top can ever measure up to an ocean-going kayak, but you won’t be able to find one better than a Tarpon. Rest easy in your purchase and way to do your due diligence!
Thank you for the review. Have you paddled in the Targa 100 yet? Curious of your opinion in how it compares to the Tarpon in regards to paddling and what type of waters it can go in
Yes! The Targa is a brand new platform from WS and has a unique style of seat, not a as high as your standard sit on top, but not as low as the tarpon. That makes it very suitable for paddlers who have knee issues (you don’t have as far to go to get into the seat). The seat base on the targa is also accommodating for a wide range of hip measurements. She has a pontoon
style hull and floats in ankle deep water. But, as a result, she lacks in tracking as compared to the tarpon. Targa would be good for calm coastal, slow to moderate moving rivers, and lakes. Turning into the wind and mediocre tracking make it a poor choice for bigger water, strong currents and windy conditions.
Any advice on what paddle to pair with this Tarpon 105 kayak?
Unlike whitewater kayaks, appropriate paddles for rec kayaks, like the one in this video, are based on boat beam and paddler size. This tarpon has a beam of 32", pretty wide for its length. 220cm is the minimum paddle length appropriate for this boat. 230 is going to be a better fit if you are lacking in strength and flexibility as you will not be reaching as far forward on your catch, rotating through your stroke as effectively or as enthusiastically popping your paddle out at your hip. If you are particularly broad shouldered, a longer paddle will always be needed but if you are not, you will sacrifice efficiency with a longer paddle. So 220-230cm for the length. If you are consistently knocking your hand, it's bad form. If you are knocking your shaft, your paddle is too long. Now paddle material is another story... your basic paddle is aluminum shaft, nylon blade with a push button adjustment. There's nothing wrong with it, but aluminum though light in the metal world, is kinda heavy in the paddle world. Nylon, though durable, is also heavy and prone to breakage in rough environments. I also find that your flutter away a lot of your power with nylon blades in heavy current. Since this Tarpon is a paddle-only boat, I strongly recommend a paddle that is composite. Like bicycles, you are paying for less weight. Buy the lightest composite paddle you can afford; 100% woven carbon is best.
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