Ride 135

It's a very stable, nice paddling kayak BUT. The scuppers leak. Whenever you pull it out you have to open the drain and drain all of the water out of it. PITA. Dealer would do noting so I thought about it and fixed it myself. I got a tube of Flex Seal Sealant and sealed around the top of each scupper hole. That seams to have cured the problem for this year. No big deal if it has to be done yearly. HOWEVER. For a boat this expensive, it shouldn't have that design defect. Very disappointed. I have a cheap Pelican kayak that is dry as a bone. Fix the problem Wilderness.

Took out one trip 3 hrs on the water that is flat water no wind got home with the kayak pull out of my truck open the hatch and about a gallon of water in the yak so I took it to the dealer and soon as they pulled the kayak out they saw what the problem was in the tank well they said the scuppers hole were blowed out Iam glad I didn’t stay out all day probably would of sunk I have over the past 10 years bought 14 kayaks and never had this problem

Very stable fishing platform. I have the original seat and purchased the rising seat later. I like the added height for fishing. Very comfortable and easy to stand in. Tracking isn't always good I would recommend a rudder to help keep straight while fishing. Plenty of storage for overnight camping and fishing gear. A lot of nice accessories to add for comfort and fishing. Just be aware this is a heavy boat. Very difficult for one person to lift on top of SUV or car.

I received my 2015 ride 135 today. I must say it is a beast, but it is easier to handle than I expected. I took it out right away taking only an anchor life vest and a paddle, oh and a friend. I preceded to test the tipping points and the stability. I must say I am impressed. I'm 6' 310 lbs and the cockpit does not fill with water so to my delight no need for plugs. I took in out in windy conditions 1-2 foot swells in shallow water. It tracked well even in the wind. I turned sideways to the waves and rolled over them just fine. I even stood up in that rough water. But only for a short time till a wave threw me. I purposely tipped the kayak several times getting back in from the water was easy enough considering my size. I then padded to calm water where I stood up and paddled for a while. even standing on one foot once I got my balance. So very stable boat looking forward to taking it fishing.

As for the seat I got the max and I think I could live in that thing very comfortable. Overall great boat a little on the pricey side ( for my budget anyway) but does not disappoint. I would recommend to anyone in my weight class.

She's a beast but wonderful to go out in. I like the extra space and stability . I'm giving her a 9 because I thought it would be more stable when standing and it is heavy. It's a chore loading and unloading it off the car.

The Ride 135 is rock solid. At 6'2" and 350# this kayak handle myself and my gear. Plenty of room for storage and movement. The adjustable seat makes it comfortable for fishing all day.

The Wilderness Ride 135 has been the best boat that I have ever owned. I trout fish below the dam while generation is taking place and it holds great. Very stable and really easy to use. I have caught a lot of fish in the kayak. Plenty of storage space and very comfortable.

I recently purchased the Ride 135 Advanced (taller - wider seat). I echo what some of the bigger guys have said. Great for a bigger person (6"8" 330lb) Feels a little tippy at first, but 5 minutes in and you're a daredevil. I fish every free moment and it's the most ergonomically friendly kayak I've found. (highly suggest purchasing!)

I purchased the Ride 135 after renting many types of kayaks. After I used I purchased one the same day. It is stable and tracks beautifully. I'm 6-2 240 lbs and I never feel unstable. I would highly recommend!

I have owned 4 kayaks. A Necky, a Hobie, and two Perceptions, and this is by far the best kayak I have owned. I bought it used, and unfortunately it is a 2011 (one year from being able to change out the seat to the newest upgraded air pro)..

You can stand and fish and the design allows for all types of people to almost effortlessly stand. Very impressed. being able to throw my paddles in the front hatch is also a major plus! Thanks Wilderness Systems!!

As a big guy 6'2" 350 lbs, I love this boat. I have the phase two seat which is comfortable for all day fishing. I am really looking fwd to the air pro max seat that will make standing even easier. This boat is stable medium speed and a great big mans boat!

The best boat we own for the many uses. Can haul an amazing amount of gear, while tracking the water like a knife. A very fast boat for 13 feet long. Love the ease of use hatches. Awesome on multi-day trips.

I just purchased a Wilderness Systems Ride 135. I bought is used and it is several years old, so it doesn't have the high/low seat that the newer version has. I upgraded from a Pelican Castaway. This kayak is very comfortable and stable.

One of the main features I wanted was lots of dry storage, which this kayak has. There is a large compartment in the bow that is easy to access while on the kayak. There is also a small hatch in front of the seat and another one behind the seat. I haven't done much fishing out of it yet, but I expect I will love all the room that I have in this kayak. It is stable enough to stand on as well.

I believe this model weighs approx. 70 lbs. I am a 45 year old woman and am able to load it on my SUV by myself. (However it is a bit easier if someone is there to help.) This kayak maneuvers well and moves quickly once you get it going. After about 3 strokes it starts to really glide. I am very happy with this kayak.

Many people love this kayak and I know why. It is a long, wide, stable monster of a kayak that is great for fishing. I love fishing from this kayak but that's about as far as I can endorse it. The main reason isn’t because it's not a great kayak but because I'm not a huge person at 5'7" and 140 lbs. so this kayak is very hard for me to load, unload, carry and store. If I were a big guy I would definitely like this kayak as it is comfortable, easy to stand in and can carry tons of equipment.

If you are interested in this kayak I would go check it out and see if you are able to move it around with ease or not. Even though I love this kayak on the water I wasn't able to utilize it like I would have liked to because of the difficulty of loading, unloading and storing it. Please remember, a lot of what is good about a kayak comes from personal preference so please try one out whenever possible before making a decision.

I've had the Ride for a few months now, and I feel adequate enough to give a proper review.

Size:
This yak weighs in about 100 pounds. I'm a big guy and its challenging for me to load up on my car alone. It would be easier for me if I had a pick up truck or trailer. With this size, Ride 135 holds up to 500 pounds. I've had my girlfriend's dog in the back storage area, my dog in between my legs, and my girlfriend seating on the bow of the yak facing me. It held up to the weight of us, but I wouldn't recommend kayaking far like this. I did it just to test the weight limits. This means you can hold a lot of gear. Great for day trips and overnights. My next challenge is a 2-3 trip and a week one after that.

Mobility:
Despite the weight of the yak, she moves. It does take a few paddles but moves swiftly after that. Turning can be challenging but that's due to the length. A rudder would help with turns.

Storage:
My Ride 135 is the 2012 model and comes with the new hatches. A flip of the two levers and the hatches pop open. Plenty of room in the bow. The other hatch is located between your legs for easy convenience. Plenty of room in the rear of the yak. I can slide my seat up and put even more gear in that space. I'm often the mule and get to carry everyone's gear.

The Seat:
The seat is adjustable and a big selling point for me. As I stated before, you can adjust the seat if you want. You would want to do this to balance your yak depending on your gear. Other perks, slide the seat all the way back and you have a standing platform. The seat works better than most but after a few hours you will start to cramp. I stand up and paddle like a Stand Up Paddle board. Standing helps you cast your fishing pole and increase your field of vision. sliding the seat all the way forward gives you room between the seat and the rear compartment. storage area. The seat does get uncomfortable after a few hours but that is expected. The newer models have different seats that should be more comfortable.

After many months I am still satisfied with my Ride. I can't wait until I take her out again.

Love Love LOVE my Ride! Very stable, fast enough, turns and tracks well. I am only 5 ft 2 and thought the 135 might b ea bit much for me. Not at all....only a bit much for me to load and unload by myself. Think I will just buy a trailer to get it more on my level. I did a lot of research before buying a kayak and am glad I did. I feel like I hit the jackpot for a first kayak and have no desire to ever buy anything else except maybe another Ride!

A family-owned Columbus camping and boating dealer strongly (to put it mildly) recommended the Ride 135 to me. Previously I'd had a Pungo 140 (which got totaled). In the water the Ride 135 seemed just fine, I didn't notice any difference in handling. Getting in and out of it with my being handicapped was a joy by comparison. The back and seat were I need a longer paddle but mine will do. The weight of it concerns me, but I can usually tip someone to help me. The Ride 135 didn't ride well in J bars at high speeds on I-94. I brought it back laying flat on the VW rack where it road smoothly and my MPG improved by five miles to the gallon.

I just bought a new 2008 model Ride 135 with factory rudder on closeout at a dealer. The boat is super. It handles really well with or without the rudder. Since it is wide, the Ride takes a couple of strokes to get going, but then the kayak's glide makes up for the slow start.

The Ride is super stable, so I thought it would be super slow. To me the yak does not feel slow at all. It is not close to being as fast as my wife's Pungo 140, but seems fast enough. With rubber golf balls in the scuppers, I had a perfectly dry ride.

I agree that the seat bottom needs more padding. After a few hours out I started to get a bit uncomfortable, so I pulled a cushion out of the dry hatch and solved the problem for the rest of the day. The height adjustment on the backrest slipped a couple of times. I might be ordering one of those 2010 replacement backrests. We will see.

The Ride 135 is perfect for fishing. It has a huge capacity and lots of room for coolers, crates, tackle boxes, etc. I like the grooves in the bow to place your rod tip while rigging the line. Another nice touch is the wealth of bungees located in strategic places.

Wilderness Systems quality is evident in the fit and finish of this yak. My good friend has two Ride 135s and swears by them. I am glad that I listened to his advice.

The Ride was our first boat and when and if it ever wears out we are going to buy another one. We have used this boat in most conditions on lakes, rivers and in the ocean and it has never let us down. Anyone can paddle the Ride and we always use it for the "first timers" I don't know what you would have to do to get this boat over but my husband who is 275 stands up in it to get in and out ( bad knees) This is just a nice big comfortable work horse of a boat, not fast but ultra sturdy and safe, if I fished I would paddle the Ride and give my husband my Tarpon 100.

Awesome yak!! Can easily stand and sightcast reds on the Texas flats without adding any additions. Absolutely no complaints. Great speed, tracking, and stability. WS makes a great product

I purchased my 2008 Ride 135 on 6-14-08. I am 6'3" and about 275 pounds. In addition to this boat, I have a 13.5' Perception America and a 11' America. I went to a big demo day and tried out similar boats by all the other manufacturers. I felt the Ride tracked pretty good and had good speed. My America is slightly better in these categories. When I plug the holes, the water stays out, otherwise, at my weight, there is about an inch of water in the boat. It comes up just below the seat. If you get water in the seat, it doesn’t have a way to drain out. I don’t mind it at all in the summer. In the winter, you can plug the holes. The small hatch in the cockpit collects a little too much water.

I agree about the footpegs; they didn’t work great at the demo. I am considering reinforcing them in the center. My calves also rest directly on the plastic, which hurts after a few hours. The boat is wide so you will need a longer paddle. It is also very heavy. Limitations aside, I bought this because I can move all around it, which is impossible in a sit-inside. You can swing your legs off the side to reach items behind you, you can slip into the water to cool off and easily reenter the boat. I can even turn myself around and lay down on my back in the footwell, if I need to try and catch some rays.

It has tons of storage space, and is great for fishing. The boat is super stable and is surprisingly agile. Some sit-on-tops feel like a barge. This one can perform. It is also much easier to get in and out of, as compared to a sit-in boat. Overall, I am completely satisfied. The complaints I have cannot compare to the benefits of this type of boat.

Without trying other kayaks, except for a one hour trip on a Heritage Redfish 12, and a few very short tryouts on about 4 others, I give my Ride 135 a 10. I am almost 61yo and weigh about 185 lbs. I am 5' 7 1/2 ".

The Heritage Redfish is a very good yak, but I preferred the 135. I did not try the Heritage 14 because I didn't like the front hatch on it. I have stood and fished from my 135 and have pulled over some flooded marshes and have thrown a cast net while standing also.

The maneuverability of the Ride 135 is good. I tried it out the first time in fresh water creek here in eastern NC. One of my concerns was that I needed my kayak to be maneuverable because of the tight situations you can get into in some of our creeks. To look at the bottom of the hull, you wouldn't think the maneuverability would be good, but it will surprise you.

I have an ofice crate behind my seat and a 28 quart ice chest on the very back. I will usually carry about 4 rods and other fishing gear with me, as well as my cast net. I am loving fishing in it.

My husband and I purchased the Ride 135 and a Perception Search 13 on July 4th. We are new to the kayak sport, being canoe owners. We wanted something more nimble for day trips down our local Central Texas rivers. We took them out last weekend for a 7 mile trip down the Llano, and both had very strong opinions about which kayak was "ours" after it was over.

The Ride is very stable, has tons of space for storage. My husband loved this kayak, while I was not crazy about it. He is 6'3 and I am 5'5, and the Ride was very comfortable for him, but felt clumsy for me. It is extremely stable and rode the rapids very well; he didn't have any trouble navigating around the rocks but I did. Sitting on top and letting your legs hang on the side was absolutely stable. Our boys took it for fishing and said it was great. Plenty of room for a small cooler in the roomy front storage area. Lots of neat features and places to store stuff. We didn't take in any water at all in this kayak, which is the primary reason for the SOT decision. Very sturdy and well built kayak.

We were considering the Tarpon 120 but our kayak dealer recommended this one as being a lot more responsive. We have the beautiful Mango color! My husband loves it, and so do my two college age sons. If you are smaller, you might try something different.

I had been looking around for a roomy/reliable kayak that could support my 6ft 2inch frame. Now I am not petite little guy (230lbs), so investing money within something that could handle my weight and size was essential. After researching on-line and speaking with many different local kayak outfitters I had narrowed it down to the WS "The Ride" and the Ocean Kayak "Prowler 13". Fortunately I was able to find a WS Ride for sale here on the Paddling.net (classifieds) site and went ahead and purchased it. Well this past weekend I tried my new toy out on the Jacks Fork River down around Eminence, MO and it was a blast. The upper portion from Bay Creek to Ally Spring was low but I had limited portage issues. Basically I was the envy of my fellow friends in there heavy aluminum canoes. The overall experience was just downright awesome. Except for when a steady breeze would hit (would blow me off track) the control, tracking, agility and speed were far better than anything I had expected. With this particular kayak coming in at over 13 plus feet long, it handled like it were more like 6ft long. Any sharp bends in the river that looked intimidating just melted away with the way the entire kayak handled. I never tried to stand-up in it (had no reason too and had a few cold drinks in my system) but I would not suggest it unless you are a lot shorter and more stable. For anyone whom is looking for a highly enjoyable SOT kayak that offers room and plenty of storage area, on-top of great handling, this is a great investment to make. Plus this kayak was extremely light for me to load-up and handle all by myself. Chances are is that I will go ahead and purchase a Prowler 13 (Angler Edition) by next summer so that I have a SOT kayak for my fishing or floating trips, but "The Ride" has definitely made a positive impression on me. If you get a chance try out "The Ride" by WS and just have some fun.

Also just purchased a Ride, had it out twice. I disagree with the last review - the first day I had trouble standing, but the second time out with a little getting used to it I was standing all afternoon, sight casting and flyfishing without a problem even in deeper water. Just do it until you get used to it - very stable, not bad a paddling, but a little slow in the wind. I'm looking forward to flycasting for some carp. I'll get another faster sit on top when I can for speed. I had a Tourer and the Ride is not a Tourer, but it serves its purpose as a stable ride, dependable fishing boat.

Fred, 240lb, and I, 220lb, tested many kayaks yesterday. Current was in the opposite direction of the wind.

Fred disliked the Tarpon 120 a lot. The Tarpon 160 didn't seem especially fast to either of us but was very difficult to turn. The Drifter and Prowler 13 both dumped me unexpectedly during paddle strokes. Both almost dumped me several times, perhaps the center bottoms had been deformed by stacking or by hauling in and out with people in them.

The Ride was just fantastic. Very stable even leaning out over the side. It was easy to move around in and easy to turn. The Ride kept up with the Tarpon 160 unless Fred paddled really hard in the 160. Acceleration was much better in the Ride than in the other boats. Tracking without rudder was good in the wind and current. We both thought the Ride was far superior to the other single seaters.

Then we both tested a used Malibu 2, paddling solo. The Malibu 2 is also a superb kayak. Solo from the rear seat left the nose very high, solo from the center seat was excellent. The Malibu 2 was almost as stable as the Ride and seemed to be about as fast. Tracking without a rudder was the best of any of the boats tested and turning from a stop was also the best. This Malibu 2 did not have any hatches so there is no possibility of flooding the interior. All storage would be on deck on the front and rear seat positions and there is a lot of storage area. The Malibu 2 can carry two people but it is heavier than the Ride. Seating is dry in the Malibu 2.

In summary, both the Ride and the Malibu 2 are excellent boats. They don't look alike but do perform alike in many ways. They were pretty much tied for the best kayak we paddled yesterday and they were vastly superior to the other boats.

I bought a used Ride from a guy in Burbank back in January and finally got a chance to take it out on the water today. I'll have to admit that while it has a rather strange looking bottom profile, it handles very well. Mine did not come with a rudder that I gather is available, and as such, I find that it doesn't track so great with a little bit of breeze. This boat has a higher out of water profile than many other SOTs and as such is easier to get influenced by the wind/breeze. I'll be definitely looking for the rudder option soon. Needless to say, we had a great time with my 3yo son sitting between my legs (he weighs about 35lbs) and the boat handled great and is VERY stable. Even when my son decided to stand up, no change in stability at all.

Just to give you an idea of my size, I'm about 6' 2" and weigh in at around 285 (yeah yeah -- trying to get rid of a bit of that now!).

I'd also like to add that this kayak, while it's not the lightest thing in the world, is fairly easy to move around with the nice handles on the sides. Much easier than my brothers Aquaterra he's got. (8->

Love the Ride! I was a Store Manager of a outdoor shop in Santa Barbara and this is what we used in the rental program. One of the best for stability and tracking. Lots of room to get a good range of motion when paddling, and tons of stowage. People always inquire about my boat when I have it out, and am always happy to rave about it!

This kayak is a flats fishing machine. I have use my Ride primarily to fish the flats in Mosquito Lagoon and Tampa Bay for red fish and trout and snook. This boat is so stable I was able to fight and land a 4 foot hammerhead standing up. It paddles and tracks well. Hull slap is noticeable only in wind chop conditions but being able to stand up and to spot reds in shallow water is well worth the trade off. Mine is set up with 2 flush mount rod holders and 2 Scotty adjustable rod holders. I have also rigged an anchor system that can be set fore and aft from the cockpit. There is ample storage room in the front hatch for day trips and the tankwell can hold a five gallon bait bucket and tackle with no problems. Plugging the scupper hole keeps the boat very dry in calm conditions and is a must if you plan on doing a lot of standing. Paddle through chop and your going to get wet as the hull design pushes water out as opposed to knifing through. I have tried other kayaks and all have their advantages and disadvantages but for fishing the flats I'll keep my Ride.

I know this is my second post but I just wanted to let people know that the hull slap is not a problem to chase spooky fish. The hull slap is commensurate to the water's chop and thus, the ride remains unnoticeable to even the spookiest fish such as permits and bones.

The ride is so stable that I put a 2' poling platform on it and I pole it more than I paddle it. I am planning to add a sail and two outriggers at the front to be able to extend the poling platform to 3 or 4 feet. The highest you are, the easiest, you will be able to spot fish in fairly deep water with a sun not at its zenithal position.

The ride is the best kayak ever made for fly fishing and the flat deck is really important as it allows the fly fisherman to store his fly line easily.

The ratio stability/speed is the best one can have. Off course, it will be slower than a scupper pro or another kayak with slick curves that does not allow you to stand. So, if speed is your concern, this is not the kayak to chose. On a flat, you want to move slowly and look around carefully for any shadow that might be a fish. I paddle the yak 5 km an hour and this is enough.

This kayak is primarily good to fish the shallows while standing on it for a better sight fishing. You guys will love it for that specific purpose.

I have to mention at first that The Ride is my first yak. I've bought it because it promised versatility and lots of fun. And it did just that. This is a SOT that brings a smile on your face. It is very stable (i have no problem standing on it), easy to turn and well built. Allthough it is not very fast (with a bit of an effort i could manage 5 miles on a lake just under an hour) you won't feel sluggish. It tracks well. I have ridden it on rough seas and shallow rivers with a few easy rapids and on lakes and i must say it i could enjoy The Ride every time. The only downside is the weight - it is not easy for one person to carry it more than a few hundret feet.

Plenty of space for all necessary camping/fishing gear for overnighters on sierra lakes. Excellent boat, on a fishing trip to Baja the boat was excellent in beach surf entry, excellent in the kelp fields, caught sand bass & sheepshead while paddling with the dolphins & sea lions 3 miles offshore outside the kelp. What a trip, what a boat.

I labored over what brand and model kayak to purchase for several months and finally chose to purchase The Ride. Even though I am a veteran of the water,sailing, and boating, this was my first venture in to kayaking.

I am extremely pleased with the stability, ease of paddling, and comfort of The Ride. I do not have a rudder and find the boat to track very well in light to moderate chop. The boats handles easily and is much dryer than I would expected from a sit-on-top kayak. Everyone of my friends who have tried it out are hooked. I look forward to the years to come and cannot imagine replacing it anytime soon. I highly recommend The Ride.

Loads of primary stability but a little slow in the speed department. Standing up in it is a little dangerous around oyster bars and it would take someone with great balance to fish out of it that way. You can fit a fly rod inside the kayak thru the front hatch. Great to pull around behind you while wading the flats.I put a 34 QT cooler on the back with five rod holders attached. It handles the days catch quite well. If it was only was faster.

I have my RIDE since April 99. I also own a canoe, a rec. kayak, a touring kayak, a poke boat, and even a row boat; the RIDE is the best of all boats wrapped into one. You can fish, travel, play and even beat it off the rocks in the river. It's so easy to get on and off when the river gets shallow in August; unlike a regular kayak. I tried to sell it when my wife complained about the price of my last boat. It didn't sell right away, and I didn't try again. It's not the fastest, roomyist, or even the most stable in my shed. But it is FUN and even easy for teaching rookies on this boat. I can't wait untill my Daughter steals it and calls it her own; right now it's only talk.

Very stable, dry but slow. I get left behind by Dawn Trakers and Scupper Pro's.

Have had my "ride" for 2 yrs - use it for lakes, rivers, ocean (bays). Only problem is tracking in rough water. Am adding a rudder. Should be great. Super ride for a big (6'-260lbs person).

Very stable, lots of room to store stuff in the hull. An important consideration here in S. Texas is that this boat will float me and all my gear in only a few inches of water.

Use mine for fishing. Great fishing platform. Have had 3 manatees try to turn it over with no sucess. Have landed several large fish with it and love it. Lots of room for carrying whatever gear I need to fish with.

The kayak really hurts when it rams your head as you go off an ocean beach landing with wave breaks larger than one meter. Otherwise, an excellent small sea bay craft.

Purchased "The Ride" last fall and have enjoyed paddling on a lake dozens of times. This one has the optional rudder. It tracks straight, is very stable, fairly fast, and is simply fun to use- particularly on a sunny, warm afternoon.