Tarpon 105

Has the most comfortable seat and storage lids are great at sealing out water and easy to open and close. Love this kayak

Tracks very nicely, glides extremely well, agile, dry, stable and comfortable. At 55 lbs. very easy to load and unload from my truck. I am retired, on a fixed budget this is a great kayak for me. I fish for enjoyment and exercise. It holds my three rods and all my gear. I bought this kayak 14 months ago am very satisfied with my purchase.

I have been mostly a sea kayaker - using an Old Town Nantucket. I recently bought a Tarpon 100 to use on the local rivers - which are mature, slow and shallow. i bought a demo model from the local backpacking shop for $550. Theres not much that is remarkable about this boat. Its size is handy. At 55 pounds its easy to drag up on top of the car - where i leave mine. The water tight compartments are useful as are all the bungy hold downs - especially on the sides. Its a great place to stow a line or secure your paddle.

I have a hard time call this thing a Kayak - its short, wide and has a chair type seat. I use mine often and feel like I got my $550 worth of boat. I would never take this on any river with white water or out any distance from shore - its more of a toy and near shore fishing platform....and not really a kayak - but that is exactly what Wilderness Systems sells it as.

I've been very pleased with this kayak. My previous kayak was a less expensive sit-inside. I wanted more stability and easier re-entry in case of capsizing. I thought a sit-on-top would feel more top heavy...but not the case with the Tarpon. It has been very steady...even in rough water. One of the best assets of this boat is the seat. It is very supportive and comfortable. The only thing I would consider different would be boat length. The longer boats are a little faster (which would be nice). But, the Tarpon 100 fits perfect inside my VW Vanagon.

3 years now, many fishing trips, hasn't let me down. Very stable, and sturdy. No signs of issues yet. Very happy I chose Wilderness systems.

I just purchased two Tarpon 100 Kayaks. These are amazing little kayaks, very stable, tracks very well for a shorter boat, very easy to paddle & control,very light to carry into the water, the stock seat wilderness uses on these Tarpons is fantastic,super comfortable, very wide & very adjustable including seat back height as well as seat bottom adjustments, the seating design also keeps your butt dry on flat water,the driest I've ever been with a sit on top kayak.

I am 6' tall @ 220 lbs and have no problems with this 10 footer at all.The four accessory tracks are ample & very versatile, this is standard on the Tarpon, so I opted not to buy the angler version, I'm going to add my personal favorite rod holders & accessories to customize as I see fit.My wife is 5'6" weight unknown by anyone & she also loves this kayak. This Wilderness tarpon will be a hard one to beat in this price range.
Thanks, I hope my 2 cents helps out.

Extremely satisfied with this purchase. The WS Tarpon 100 is perfect for my fishing needs. Tracks well, even while paddling in to the wind, very stable, easy to maneuver and the seat system is top notch (very comfortable). I spend any where between 8-14 hours on the water (ponds, rivers and lakes) for any given outing. This kayak surpassed all of my expectations and there is also plenty of dry storage. In closing, Wilderness Systems also thought of the small details, which are pleasant surprises you'll learn along your excursions, wherever they may be.

Good size for river or lake areas. Easy to maneuver rapids and low streams. Stability is great. Adjustable foot pegs a must and help with distant travel and power stroking. Good lines that help kayak through water with ease. Handles on kayak deteriorate and need to be replaced after a few years. Easy to unscrew and screw new ones in place. Very satisfied with these kayaks. We have a blue and a green kayak Tarpon 100.

I have had my Wilderness Tarpon 100 for 3 seasons.
Pros:
Great accessibility to storage compartments. Stable ride. Adjustable foot rests. Overall a good seat with lumbar support. Sometimes I do need a log roll behind my back. Glides smoothly in minimal (very minimal) water. Durable.

Cons:
Weight. Hard for a 115 lb female to put on top a car in a rack. Hence, bought a trailer, much easier to manage. Tracking. A friend has the same kayak but 120. I wish I had bought the 120. I did not as I thought the extra length would make it even harder to put car top. Now that I have a trailer, would not matter. The 120 tracks so much easier. I am a stronger paddler on the right so the kayak tends to shift to the left stopping the smooth forward glide.

I would definitely recommend the Wilderness System Kayak. Do not go smaller than 120 unless you are only planning to basically fish and tracking is not a big deal.
Last... a girl thing! LOVE THE LIME GREEN COLOR!!!

Bought one, then another, then another, then sold two fellow kayaker on them and they each bought one. We had all tried out several other yaks previously. The Tarpon 100 won hands down in all categories, which are:
1. COMFORT
2. SPEED
3. TRACKING
4. STABILITY
5. MANUVERABILITY
6. SIZE, WEIGHT
7. LOOKS

This is by far, I believe, the best sit on top Kayak model. Period. I've done everything from class 3+ whitewater to fishing/camping trips in my yak. The storage design is fantastic. It has two hatches in front and midship for internal storage. I am able to keep an extra paddle inside, along with camping gear. The two side pockets with the Web cover is extremely convenient when juggling fishing supplies and tackle or whatever.

The new models have a phase 3 air pro seat with 3 levels of adjustment that make it a real comfortable ride. It tracks great, can take a beating if you run it hard and I'd never buy anything different.

Been paddling the Tarpon 100 for over a year now. It's still awesome. While it does not track quite as well as the Tarpon 140, it is soooo much easier to handle on Missouri Ozark streams. It still handles small lakes very well. Plan to take to Minnesota this summer and Florida later in the year. I think it would be fine on near shore ocean paddling.

Stability is great. Weight carrying capacity is above average for a 10 foot boat. It is easy to put on top of the truck, a big benefit over the older Tarpon 140. The wife paddles one also. We are very pleased with this little boat.

My wife and I have fished the bays of south Louisiana for well over a decade before yak fishing began to catch on in this part of the country. I have owned numerous other fishing yaks from OK, WS, Heritage and Perception Sport. As I am now getting a lot closer to 70 than 60, I find that I am willing to give up a bit of speed for lighter weight to load and launch.

I have recently acquired a new Tarpon 100 (my first Tarpon 100 was confiscated by my spouse who refuses to return it). Some observations and suggestions for all interested, but especially for older folks like me with serious back problems. I have ankylosing spondilitis with some significant curvature of the fused spine)... the factory seat in the newer Tarpons has some contour but not much paddling for my boney buttocks... so, first thing I do now is put a Skwoosh pad in the seat bottom... not much extra padding, but your butt will not go numb and the feeling is rather like riding on a cushions saddle. Second, I use electric wire bundle ties to afix a simple air cushion like hunters would sit on to the seat back of the new Tarpon seat.

I really do not like the new seatbacks that have a spring and rise up or down as you move in the seat, so I tighten the seat back down to the bottom with the ties as well. This arrangement turns out to be remarkable comfortable for hours at a time.

Next. WS did something to all of the smaller round hinged hatches, probably to lessen leakage. But they are nearly impossible to open new and don't get much better with use. Also, the metal clips that hold the wire brad in the hinge tends to pop out of them. So, brand new put marine silicon on the little wire hinge brads and they will stay in place. Then spray a lubricant all around friction surfaces of the hatch interior. this hels a great deal but they will still be quite tight.

Now for the good things: the little Tarpons handle a good sized body (I weigh 190 mostly muscle still) and will track exceptionally well for a ten foot yak. Take a small 12 quart hard sided ice chest and afix a dual plastic rod holder to the left side if you are right handed... then set the ice chest in the tank well where it open from the right as you are facing the bow. Thus, your rod holder will be on the left to reach back to and not obstruct your casting. Use the electrical ties to afix the bungee cords to the ice chest handle to keep the ice chest from migrating or whatever. This set up is very easy to launch and if you must carry it a little farther than desired get a C-tug yak cart. It fits like a glove and you can use two fingers to pull the Tarpon wherever you wish.

The Tarpon 100 is very stable even in rough chop, glides well for a sort yak, has zero hull slap, and is extremely rugged... Use scupper plugs if you like dry feet and gear... Compared with the price of today's modern sexy yaks with all kinds of accessories and heavy weight, the little Tarpon as modified above is affordable, very handy for fishing in salt or fresh water, and a pleasure to load up at the end of a long fishing day... and your butt and legs will not be numb or sore...

This is likely the last yak I will acquire as it does everything and more that I need and it does it very well indeed.

I don't like this kayak, which I just tried at the club where I go boating. I've had several Ocean Kayaks (Venus 11, Scrambler 11, Prowler 13) and liked every one of them better.

This boat has all kinds of straps and gewgaws which get in the way of the paddle stroke, and it's too wide, which causes me to bump the paddle against the boat unless I do a very wide, shallow stroke. I do like the adjustable footrests, which give lots of latitude as to length, but they are cheaply made plastic and will probably be the first thing to break on this boat. The boat is also slow. The side-mounted, non-recessed carry handles bump my hands as I paddle.

I suspect whoever designed this boat is not a serious kayaker, with all these added gewgaws, because simple is usually better, and Ocean Kayak, as a brand, designs that way with much better success.

I've had my Tarpon 100 for a year now with about 3 trips a month under my belt. Mostly in South Baldwin county Rivers and Mobile Bay in Alabama, but also includes 3 trips to the Gulf of Mexico. Handled great in the surf, cut through the incoming waves. Great for a 10 footer I thought. Very stable and durable. I got the angler package, but have also added a fish finder, lights, anchor system and decaled it out a bit. I always used to canoe in Canada, but I am Hooked on My Tarpon now. Highly recommended.

After one year with this kayak I am quite pleased. My Tarpon has been on at least 20 trips and it is a very nimble vessel in tight areas on the Missouri streams that I float most often. I have noticed that it doesn't track as well as longer kayaks, but that is ok. I knew this when I selected a 10' instead of a 12'. It isn't a Ferrari wither but it holds it own with the other kayaks with a bit more paddling effort. Overall this was an excellent purchase and I would recommend this kayak to anyone interested in starting to kayak, or for anyone doing the winding streams of Missouri!

I have owned the Wilderness 100 fishing kayak for a year. It has met all my expectations and exceed others. The seat is the most comfortable I have ever used. I can sit in is for several hours and be happy. The sit on is water tight and easy to handle.

The only draw back is the tracking. It tracks ok because it is only 10 foot and for a 10 foot kayak it tracks well. I would recommend it to anyone if they were limited to the 10 foot size.

Recently, when my wife and I got pumped up about getting back into kayaking, my initial attitude toward sit-on-top kayaks was that they were overgrown bathtub toys. (True, some are so poorly designed that calling them bathtub toys would probably be a step up.) But I could not have been farther wrong because there are also some absolutely sensational designs floating around (forgive the pun). We were fortunate to stumble across one of the best on our first stop -- and bought 'em without a second thought.

We opted for Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 (10 foot) model and we've been constantly delighted with our choice. One of the great features of sit-on-top yaks is that, if you should tip over or get swamped by a heavy wave, you don't have to reach for your bucket – the scuppers are self-bailing.

The roto-molded Tarpon is available in a number of configurations in lengths from 10 to 16 feet depending on what type of usage you have in mind – anything from day-tripping to fishing to back-country camping and what type of venue you prefer – flat water, rapids or saltwater bays and inlets.

We'd say they are an excellent selection for a beginner and an all-around perfect choice for a more experienced paddler. They are essentially for recreational use rather than serious white-water challenges or open ocean paddling. That said, we found that they performed flawlessly in class III whitewater. They are quite beamy which gives them remarkable stability and the hulls/keels are sharply defined which means they track well even without a skeg and carve nicely into turns. They have a large well in the after-deck with bungees for gear storage plus two water-tight hatches – one conveniently located right by your knees. On top of that, there are a bunch of high-quality extras such as adjustable footrests, a very comfortable and multi-adjustable seat, water bottle pockets, paddle keepers, tie-downs, beverage holders and so on.

At around $700, the Tarpons aren't the least expensive ten-footers on the market... but they are worth every penny!

I recently acquired a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 and am extremely pleased with it... I use the boat for river fishing in the Cheat River Valley of WV... It is an absolute joy on the water, easy to paddle, great storage capability and extremely stable... The track system is great and very versatile. I recommend this boat to anyone......

This kayak handles wonderfully in the Atlantic. The seat is my favorite feature. Very stable boat. I take it through very rough ocean conditions. My rear stays pretty dry. The inner storage is spacious but water does get in. Dry bags are a must. Kayak is a bit heavy to lift on my own but I manage. I'm able to get enough of the boat in my sedan to transport it. I didn't want to do roof racks at this point. I've heard good things about the 120, but storage is an issue. My condo's shed is just over 10ft. This boat is worth the money. It was designed with the kayaker in mind. I would take it out everyday but my body needs time to for the sore muscles to heal.

rock solid construct that gives immediate confidence. rock solid on the chop. tracks great. loads of storage space. the seat may have been designed by NASA. quality quality quality. luv it.

A full month with this vessel! I LOVE it!!!! This last weekend I took it out in some better water. There was actually some CFS going on in the bends. The Tarpon 100 (I haven't named her yet) handled like a dream. I watched 2 canoes and one Ride 115 tip, my kayak went through flawlessly!!!! I didn't think that the 10' would be acceptable, but I was wrong. I cannot endorse this kayak enough. Sturdy, stout and can do the moves!!

Tracks well, very stable, most comfortable seat, lots of room, storage is great, railing systems is awesome to customize as needed for additional racks, fishing accessories, more tie downs, camera mounting... very easy to get in and out of, very comfortable, can be used for different situations like lake, river, ocean, not just a one situation kayak, easy to lift and put in truck or on racks, miss kayaking when haven't been in it for a while that's how much we love these kayaks!

What an awesome kayak. I purchased mine two weeks ago and have spent more time in the water in these last 14 days than the last year. I lost my 12 footer in a fire (long story). This vessel is truly sea worthy!! I have been on my local rivers and it handles so well. I can endorse this 100%, and the price point is perfect for the Ferrari of the river!

Being new to kayaks, I researched and researched... I wanted an "all around" kayak. I ended up choosing this one (would have gone one step higher if I could have afforded) as the seats looked and reviewed to be the best in comfort which was a high priority for me. The other was the stability just wide enough to be very stable. All the rest, adjustable feet rests, a system on the kayak to build and add on as needed, the tracking is very good and it can go in ocean, lake or river..which is fine with me.
I didn't want to get stuck with just a river runner or a long thin racer .....just an all around fun and convenient and comfortable kayak...which I fish from by the way too!! And I have back issues so this seat is awesome! Lots of storage too.

My first experiment with Kayaks has been the SOT Wilderness Systems "Tarpon 100". This kayak has a 10 foot length and a 30.5 inch width. At 55 lbs it's little heavy for one person to carry without a cart. It is recommended for flat water, bays, lakes, ponds and surf. I have used it for all the above with addition of the Truckee river, and The American river. Those are light class I and II rivers.

My experience has been positive, and I would recommend this this kayak for beginners and intermediate riders. The flip-up "hard" seat is very comfortable; even on long trips. There are two storage compartments, one small for wallets, glasses and personal items. And a large compartment to store gear/ lunch, extra clothing etc. Bow and stern, and side handles make this kayak easy to move and transport.

Overall I would recommend this kayak. Although it's list price is at $699.00 You can usually find it around $550/599 at the end of season.

A great little kayak that, although a little slow, tracks well and is extremely stable. The seat gets maximum points.....highly adjustable and extended stints in the chair are no issue. In the surf the little boat tends to want to dive and broach on a swell and take water over the nose into a wave but all this is mostly eliminated with trimming of the kayak. It soon becomes obvious that keeping the weight bias well to the rear is the key in the surf. Plugging the rear scuppers and filling the well with water is a quick on-the-spot fix.

The real beauty of this 'yak is it's versatility. It's as capable in tight water as it is in the open. I've no hesitation going to sea on short range fishing sorties when weather permits and it really excels in creek and estuary exploration.

This boat is a lot of fun and quality is excellent. Would I buy again? Absolutely!

I have a Tarpon 140, 120, and recently picked up a 100 for FW use. It is more manueverable and lighter than then 120 & 140, with a similar layout and relatively big stern tankwell which I like. My 4 1/2 y.o. Can sit comfortably in the stern tankwell and troll while I paddle. I highly recommend Yak Attack RAM mount screwballs vs. using the slidetrax plates if you plan on using RAM accessories. The 2009 and younger hulls are better due to the Phase 3 seating, scuppered seatwell, and slidetrax system.
Love my Tarpons!

I have been in kayak fishing for the past 6 years now and still own many yaks... I am a big man (6 feet and 280 pound). My wife bought herself a Tarpon 100 2 years ago... the new edition... WOW, I simply love it. I have a Tarpon 140 (older version) and a Ocean Trident 15 SOT... but love more her Tarpon 100. I like it so much we just bought one more Tarpon 100 today... love those little tank... they go everywhere.

It's dry... drier then my Tarpon 140 and Trident... I simply love that small but effective Tarpon 100... by the way, the seat is very nice.

I just got the T-100 last weekend and I have been out only once but this thing is a tank. Its the perfect kayak for anything anyone would want to do

I purchased two Tarpon 100's about 3 weeks ago from REI and my wife and I have taken them out several times now to local lakes. So far I am VERY happy with my purchase. I use a wheelchair and was looking for a stable yak that would be easy for me to get in and out of while being light enough for my wife and I to load and unload from our utility trailer. These boats worked out very well.

The boats are very maneuverable in tight places track well and make a pretty good platform for wildlife photography. I now feel confident taking my DSLR and associated gear out on the water with me. (in a pelican case when not in use of course....). I highly recommend the Tarpon 100.

This SOT is a smaller kayak, great for tall people. I am 6'4", 220 lbs and this thing fits me like a glove. With the foot pegs removed, I am able to extend my legs fully. Taking it out on the Bay, it tracks like a breeze. Though, I could see tracking being a problem in really choppy water.

If you are looking for a beginner SOT recreational kayak, this kayak is well worth the extra cash. It has many convenient features and with the dual rail system, room for expansion; great for the angler that wants to customize. Also, fits pretty well in the bed of my Ridgeline (tailgate down) with only a couple feet sticking out.

I am giving it a 9/10 because I haven't put it through the test of time. However, 10/10 for starting out.

I needed a light weight "grab and go" yak for my fleet of fishing yaks. After having used the Redfish 10 and OK Prowler 11, I acquired a Tarpon 100. I have now fished it in some decent chop and wind in south Louisiana bays and it has become my favorite small yak to chase redfish and specks.

The Tarpon 100 tracks straighter than any other short yak I have paddled. The new seat lacks much padding, but it has so many adjustments that I found I could fish five or more hours without my butt going numb on me. The stability is very good; not a floating pier like my larger yaks, but very decent indeed. The speed will not set any records, but it is actually much faster that I expected for a short yak, about the same as my Prowler 13 when loaded with fishing gear. Short fishing rods (5'6") will fit in the hatch by the seat if pointed to the stern.

It is a dry yak with the scupper plugs in. It tracks exceptionally well and even has some decent glide to it which is rare for such a short yak. It did not weathervane in stronger winds. And it fits easily in the bed of my Tacoma truck. Easy to load and unload even in windy conditions. If you are looking for a shorter grab and go yak, the Tarpon 100 is very hard to beat. I am 6 feet tall and weight 190 pounds at 64 years of youth. I am pretty well fit for a fossil so more youthful or female paddlers will find the Tarpon 100 ideal for play or fishing. I previously had the older model of Tarpon 100 and the new one is considerably better in my opinion. Given its price and forgiving paddling characteristics, it is now very high on my list of very good fishing yaks.

Bought mine in 2007 and its been fantastic. used it on rivers and in the ocean and apart from a problem with bigger surf its been a man for all seasons. Does not surf well though just gets me in and out of the breakers. great for coastal touring and days away from a crowded beach. if you want a comfortable ride, the chance to fish from your boat and reliable flotation ...get on e.

I've chosen this little yak for 2 reasons: limited storage space (I live in a condo) and the amazing capacity for a 10 feet boat (I weigh 280 pounds). At first, I was reluctant to buy a SOT. I was looking to get a Pelican Sound. The salesperson at kayak shop warned me that an overloaded kayak may result in very poor performance and higher risk of instability in choppy waters. So, i finally chose the "B" plan and bought the T-100. And that was a good choice.

I've taken it on small rivers, lakes and even on the St-Laurence River. Its 2 closed hatches + open storage space in the back even allows for short camping trips. It is very stable in choppy waters. I never even got closed of turning over.

Pros and cons

Pros:
• Amazing capacity (325 pounds)
• Easy access
• Track well
• Very stable in choppy waters
• Comfortable seating
• Lots of storage
• Reasonable price
• Can be stored in small sheds.

  Cons:

• A little bit slow. You'll be disappointed if you expect same performances as a 15ft sea kayak.
• Since it's a SOT, legs are exposed to sun, water and mosquitoes. You may want to get a wet suit for colder temperature.

We needed another boat for visiting relatives so we bought a 2008 model Tarpon 100. A great boat made even better with the new extremely comfortable seat. Everything else seems to be pretty much the same as our 2005 yak: high quality workmanship ,wonderful stability, same straight tracking and the same ease of entry. I don't know about speed, it has little importance to us, but I've always enjoyed our original Tarpon 100 and look forward to many years of safe, comfortable kayaking with our 2009 model

Just bought this one today after renting this model and 4 others... the Tarpon 100 is definitely the way to go for fishing in the Indian River area

I live on the Gulf of Mexico, and when a hurricane is sneaking by I take my Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 and hit the waves. This year we were surfing 6 to 8 ft waves, without those silly thigh straps. Bent the #%*& outta my paddle, but my Tarpon 100 came through smiling. For intercoastal, bay, or ocean, You just can`t top this Tarpon!!!

I am new to yaking. I tried sit-in yak's and hated them, very unstable. I got this one to fish from and it is very stable. I can sit across it. I fish creeks but mostly the new river and have been through several class 2's and 3's with no problem. If you are looking for a cheaper fishing yak then look no more.

this is my first SOT kayak. I bought it because it was heavier then the rest that I saw. The hull is very strong, heavy...
High quality kayak! very stable in 2 meters seas, quite fast. tracks well. For a 10 foot kayak this is very good. As a boat owner, I see the hull shape and construction to be like a small offshore boat, deep, strong, stable.

It is a fast kayak for a SOT that is 3 meters long. Every boat or kayak has a maximum speed which depends on hull length, this kayak is 3 meters so the maximum speed is not like one that is 4 meters.

I love this kayak... by the way, it is very good looking as well.

I picked up my Tarpon 100 this morning,installed a pair of thigh straps and took it out on Lake Michigan. Conditions were: wind 15 mph and waves 1-2 feet. The boat is very stable, tracks well, and is very maneuverable. It is not the fastest boat on the lake, but I didn't expect it to be. I bought the boat primarily for days when the wave heights permit surfing, I think it will be a good all purpose boat for the type of kayaking I do. The molded footrests will take a bit of getting used to, and there is always a little bit of water in the very bottom of the footrest area. I give the boat 10 out of 10 because it met or exceeded my expectations.

Thought I would do a review for anyone looking to buy this boat to surf. I'm 5'10" 190lbs. This is a great boat for riding waves! Gets up to speed and catches waves very well, and while its too big to really carve up the wave, it will turn and trim down the line nicely! Punches through really well going out, too. Super fun small wave boat up to about 5 feet.

I LOVE THIS KAYAK!! I have tried numerous sot kayaks and finally have found the perfect one. I almost went with the tarpon 120, but decided that 60 pounds might be a little much for me if I’m by myself. Glad I went with the 100. I can get up small creeks with this kayak, where the 120 would be too long. It tracks great, I can load and unload by myself (5'2", 160# female), and it has plenty of built in amenities. I talked to someone else who has a 100 and they've used it in surf and had loads of fun, so I’m looking forward to giving it a try. I kayak mostly small creeks and lakes. This kayak turns fine, and never has any hull slap. It’s very quiet - i like to sneak up on the wildlife. and the other extra special bonus is that i always have a dry butt when paddling on flat water. NOW THAT'S A REAL BONUS!! Nuff said. Great yak!!

I recently purchased an Ocean Kayak SideKick Which also reviewed here. I like that boat when I take out my grandson. I wanted something a bit smaller for quick after work paddles, I am 58 6' 240 lbs, I have been kayaking since 1989. I have had WS kayaks before, the quality is always great. This boat is a great all around kayak as others have mentioned. It tracks very well for a small yak and is quick enough. It is relatively dry even for someone my size. I love the color I got Mystic Blue. I have gotten several compliments :-). I kayak mostly on rivers and lakes around Austin TX. I also plan on taking both the Ocean Kayak Sidekick and this boat to the Gulf of Mexico next month. Ocean review to follow.

I am 58 y.o. and new this year to kayaking. After looking at several boats, I puchased a Tarpon 100 (Wilderness Systems) for myself and a Venus (Ocean Kayak) for my wife. The tarpon 100 tracks well, moves well, is very stable, and looks great (red). I am 5'10' and weigh 175 pounds. With just me in the boat, it is completely dry. My wife (5'2' and 100 pounds) can sit comfortably in front of me. This works surprisingly well. This boat is a little heavy but there is a lot of boat here. We haul both boats in the back of our Bronco. I have yet to find anything about the Tarpon 100 that I don't like. I rate it a 10 and recommend it to anyone in search of a great multipurpose kayak. This boat is a lot of fun!

The Tarpon 100 is a fantastic all-purpose kayak. I took it for long trips in the Florida marshes, in the Intercoastal river and, of course, in the ocean. This is a compromise boat, meaning that it is not the best for any *one* purpose: you will find faster river kayaks and better surf kayaks, but if you are interested in an all-in-one, that's it. It is short, reasonably light, very stable, but not sluggish at all, in handles well in the surf and it comes with two well-designed luggage compartments (total weight capacity is 325lbs.). One of its nicest features it the back rest which is fixed to the kayak itself. Not only is it cheaper (no need to by some backrest), but it is far more comfortable (I am a 6 feet 2, 220 pounds person with back problems - so this really matters to me). The kayak has well-designed and located straps (to hold on to or to stap a paddle). Finally, for the quality one gets, the boat is really cheap (about 450$). I have yet to find a flaw in this great little kayak.

The Tarpon 100 SOT is a great lil kayak. It is somewhat of a special purpose vehicle, however. It tracks well for a 10 foot boat. It tracks similarly to a Loon 111 and the speed is very similar to the Loon 111 as well, but the Loon is a tad faster. The kayak is extremely stable and makes for a great fishing platform. The boat is extremely maneuverable, which is a bit surprising, due to it tracking so well. The area behind the seat is almost perfectly flat, which makes a great place to mount recessed rod holders and/or anchor cleats. The rear tankwell accommadates a milk crate, which is very handy for stuffing with gear. My only complaint is that I wish the boat was a bit lighter. 50 pounds seems heavy for a 10 foot kayak.