Tsunami 125

I own other kayaks this size but needed a more durable one for floating Ozark rivers with rock and gravel hazards. I review here because many video reviews are out of date. These were re-designed in 2018, and in 2020 seat trim color changed to orange with WS logo added. Foot pegs are big square ones now, much more comfortable. WS defines fit for medium/large paddlers based on the leg room only because cockpit opening is 16” x 32” for all Tsunami models (website dimensions include the rim), so snug fit for those over 200 lbs. but roomy once you get in. I am 6’0” and foot pegs have 2 notches left. Hip pads not included but can be easily added. Included deck bags not waterproof (quick drying mesh) but good quality. The under deck bottle holder is easily removed if desired. Foot clearance good, seat very comfortable, I wish the seat back could be lowered more to make spray skirts fit better (sticks up higher than optimum even at lowest position), otherwise adjustability and comfort is best there is. Screws on side can be loosened to move seat pan back or forward 1-2”. Performance very good, stability and durability excellent. As compared to thermoformed kayaks, not as maneuverable or easy to turn, but tracks very straight and optional rudder not needed if you know how to edge turn well (hull design and shape are about the same as Pungo). Among the polyethylene kayaks, still really good value in 12-13 ft. size if you want to stay around 50 lbs. or less in weight - others this size are usually heavier. Great choice as a do-everything kayak, Dagger Stratos has better maneuverability but not quite as stable as the Tsunami models. No indication of any decline in quality after the acquisition of the Confluence brands by Pelican, I ordered from WS directly and the shipping and customer service was an excellent experience.

Wilderness Systems is somewhat rare in Europe, but now and then a second hand one pops up. I was lucky to find a Tsunami 125 for just 300 Euro in fine condition. Beforehand I specifically looked for this boat, because the claim was it was fast, compact and stable. Indeed it is! For such a short boat it is remarkably fast, especially considering it is unbelievably stable. With just 388 cm in length it's so easy to transport on the car and so much fun zigzagging through the many narrow, meandering water ways here in the Netherlands. Still, a large lake with choppy water is big fun too. The seat is brilliant, compartments are roomy, deck lines provide possibility for self-rescue, boat tracks very well despite lack of skeg. The 125 was the main reason I bought a second kayak: the Tsunami 165! Now sea kayaking becomes a possibility too!

I bought a 2018 Tsunami 145 for larger bodies of water and touring. I recently purchased a 2018 Tsunami 125 for more of a rec boat. The 125 handles just like the 145 but is more nimble. Quick turning, it's a breeze to paddle. Very stable, comfortable seat, all the features of the 145 in a smaller format. A great kayak for all around performance. Not to big, not to small. Wilderness Systems has a hit with the Tsunami design. I definitely recommend this kayak for the intermediate level paddler. BONES😎

I upgraded to a flat water cruiser from a Dagger Axis 12.0....still keeping the Axis as is better for moving water maneuverability! The idea of using my kayak for fitness moved my in this direction. The WS products are all well built and designed. Twin bulkheads and rigging make for a safer experience if you should find yourself outside your kayak. The hull design make this kayak cut thru the water but not at the cost of stability. It tracks very well and stays on course with little correction necessary. Seat is very comfortable and has easy trim adjustments. Has a sporty feeling in the water. The cockpit is fairly roomy (I'm 6-0 and 222) and keeps you dry. Plenty of rigging for your accouterments. Weight is very manageable as I can load on my F-150 roof rack solo.
Things that are different from my Axis I need to get used to. In faster water it's not as maneuverable as the Axis when you try a 180 against a strong current. So if you wanna play around in faster water it's not your ride. If you travel with slower kayaks you'll always be up front. I recycled myself three times to the back and in five minutes was in the lead without paddling. The hatch covers are the tupperware type just like the Axis....real pain to seal but effective. Too bad the Pungo covers can't be used. Can't wait to let the Tsunami's long legs kick in on the Susquehanna, lakes and protected coastal water.

Despite 20 years fo paddling experience, I am not a skilled paddler, After 5 WS Pungo 140's, I changed my low suspension Tacoma for a used Toyota RAV4. Due to my age (late 60's) it soon became apparent, it was time for a lighter, easier to car top kayak. I still wanted a craft that would stand up to the conditions /places where the Pungo 140's never made me feel unsafe. (coastal, some open water, occasional strong current) After over 15 years of paddling a chined design craft, the Tsunami 125 (2018 version) seems to satisfy these requirements. The Tsunami 125 is 12' 9" long, has good hull height (15") for wearing boots and waves don't end up in my lap as much; it has two bulkheads, is chined for great maneuverability, stability and being narrower by a few inches, has better speed than my former 14' x 28" wide-load Pungo. The change feels like going from a touring motorcycle such as a Honda Goldwing to almost a "trail bike " - so far the only problem I have had is paddling downriver during the new moon on the Piscataqua River when the current is ripping; it spun me around where I could have kept the Pungo straight with a few moves of my paddle. The Tsunami cockpit dimensions do not allow for as much storage of fishing/photography gear - but it does have bags and rigging to store equipment on the deck. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the Tsunami and it is lighter (51 lb. vs 58 lb.) so it is slightly easier to cart top though I prefer the Pungo style grab handles.

With 2 years now with my Tsunami 12.5, I'm even more in love with this boat. Very stable, very maneuverable, paddling lakes, streams, rivers; good weather or bad, rough or smooth conditions. This was my second kayak and (funny thing) after taking advanced lessons and spending more time with it, the boat got better and more efficient! In rough and windy lake sometimes I wish I had a rudder, but find that with strokes and balance it responds nicely. I took out the tall backrest and put in a backband, which makes wet rescue entries much easier and find it gives me better support and torso rotation. It's not as fast as a 15 footer, but it keeps up nicely now that I am more efficient with my strokes. It's my take anywhere kayak (have not had it in ocean) but I would recommend this kayak to anyone. And it's easy to tote vs a bigger boat. No wonder few people ever sell one - I'll keep mine. I've since added a Tempest 170 (completely different for sure) but 8 times out of 10 I'm taking the Tsunami. I'm 6' and 220 and it fits me perfectly.

When I started looking to purchase my first kayak I needed to make sure that I found one for my beginner needs but also something that I wouldn't grow out of too fast. That was four years ago and I still find this kayak to be an excellent choice.

The 125 is a roto molded polyethylene boat and is 12.5 feet long. It's stable on entry and exit and a dream to paddle. As my skills have progressed, it's gotten much easier to handle tight turns and close quarters. She's stable in the water and handles chop nicely. I also don't have any troubles with speed boat wake. It has a spacious cockpit and a very comfortable seat that is easily adjustable while underway. It took me some time to understand my own needs when it comes to foot peg placement but adjustments can be made easily while on the water. The padded thigh braces are very nice and keep me comfortable. It has two bulkheads and plenty of storage in the two compartments.

She's fast and tracks very well. I've considered installing a rudder but have decided that the boat just doesn't need it. If you're looking for a boat that will TEACH you to paddle a kayak, this is the boat for you.

I bought my Tsunami 125 about four years ago and I am very satisfied with it. I use it primarily on lakes and rivers. I have also padded in a small bay and once through a somewhat turbulent ocean inlet. The boat has performed well in all situations except on small rivers. The Tsunami is a little frustrating to paddle in the upper reaches of the small New Jersey Pine Barrens rivers because of its length.

I bought my Tsunami 125 after months of research. Already owning 3 yaks, I was looking for an all round 12footer, with two bulkheads and plenty of storage. My first outing was 4 hours up and down river, and I have never been more comfortable in a kayak. I'm 6'1" 200lbs and it fits like a glove. Tracks very well, turns very easily. If you can only buy one boat, buy the Tsunami 125.

I purchased three Tsunami's, one each for myself, my wife and son. We all love these boats. They are extremely stable both for loading and paddling. The cockpits are somewhat form fitting and are just snug enough for a real feeling of being one with the boat. The seats are extremely comfortable and we have no complaints with up to 2-3 hr of continuous paddling. The kayaks seem to take waves and motor boat wake in stride without feeling like they will tip over. The hatches are roomy, with plenty of room in the rear hatch to stow our two wheel kayak carts. We are absolutely delighted with our kayaks. We are new to kayaking but believe that we made a really good choice in the Tsunami's.

I am 5ft 11, 230 lbs. This boat is great for crashing thru 3ft waves out in the middle of the lake. Water NEVER comes over the front or sides, and I am a big person. The seat is very comfortable. It's easy to get in and out of, but a bit tippy if part is not resting on the bottom at shore during entry and exit. I feel 100% confident in anything the lake throws at me. The only thing is I wish the footpegs extended further for my height. It's a good looking, smooth handling boat. I love it!

Great for a senior woman. Paddles straight with minimal Energy. Tipping harder in Tsunami compared to others types. Seat back feels great while paddling until you have to get in boat from rescue recovery. The seat in the way for cork screw entry from deep waters.

This is my favorite of the 3 boats I own. It tracks well and moves through the water well for a 12 foot boat. I have not done and overnight but I have tried fitting my gear in the holds and I could do a weekend trip I think. The seat is very comfortable and adjust easily and I like the thigh braces. My wife always tries to use it as well, but I have to remind her this one is mine.

Honest review time. Owned one for one summer, sold it, but am likely buying another. I had a couple minor complaints, but after paddling a number of other kayaks, I realized how much I really liked this one. Now I'm having seller's remorse, if that's possible. I had a rudder, which was helpful at times- particularly when paddling with a group and avoiding collisions, or when drifting downstream without paddling and using the rudder to keep from drifting sideways or off course.

One thing I noticed is that in small creeks, I got hung up on the bottom a little more than my kayaking buddies, so maybe it sits low in the water, don't know. I weigh about 165lbs. Also, I remember wishing that it was just a little bit longer, but that's probably just a personal pref, not relevant to this review...

I think my next purchase might be the Tsunami 135 although designed for ladies, I'm also small framed... I might go sit in them at the dealer...in any event, also wanted to note that I seemed to get numb legs after a couple hours, and usually didn't with other kayaks. Could be the foot pegs, could be user error. Although the rudder was nice, sometimes it's nicer to have fixed foot pegs for really aggressive paddling... There were several times I wished I didn't have the rudder, even though I'll probably get one again....thanks for reading...

This is my third and now favorite recreational kayak. I have owned it for two years now. I have also owned a Riot Quest and an Old Town Loon 138. The cockpit in the Tsunami is quite roomy and comfortable for the small space that actually exists. Speed is about as good as it gets for a rec boat in this size. The Tsunami is very responsive as far as maneuverability and tracks well. It is quite stable, but leans well if you wish to lean into your turn. My only complaint would be I wish there was a drain plug or a better way to drain water out of the cockpit. The lip on the edge of the cockpit traps a fair amount of water when inverting and draining the boat. Still a very minimal complaint for a great rec boat.

So, I've had my Tsunami's (yes, plural) for about 3 years now. I cannot speak highly enough of the boats. I have paddled a few other boats and even strayed from the brand once to try others and... I came back.

The Tsunami 125 is very stable... ridiculously stable, in fact. For its size, it is pretty quick but as a stronger paddler, I can keep up with the folks in the 15-16' boats in my little 12'6" guy here. The cockpit is very roomy... The seats are so comfortable that you can sit in this thing for 8-10 hours and never get uncomfortable. The boat is very easy to get in and out of both in water and on dry land. Tracks straighter than you'd expect, and if you can edge it properly, it will turn very well.

I give the boat a 10/10 because it's very versatile, as I've done some rapids, Lake Erie, and any other type of water in between and have always been comfortable with the boat. Comfortable enough to buy three of them, in fact

The Tsunami is a great sit-in kayak that is easy to use and great for all levels of paddlers. It is both quick and maneuverable and isn't too heavy to carry alone. I bought mine from oceankayaksales.com and have used it nearly every day since.

I recently took this kayak on a 12 day trip on the James River in Virginia. We went from the source in the mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. This boat handled all my camping gear easily. It also handled class III+ rapids, flatwater and 3 to 4 foot seas in the Bay. It does not excel at anything, but handled everything. We covered from 20 to 38 miles a day and comfort was never an issue. I have sea and whitewater kayaks. If you had to have just one boat, this is a strong candidate.

My wife & I each bought a Tsunami this spring and spent a good bit of the spring and summer both on rivers in Virginia and along the coast of Maine.

These are great boats that we have enjoyed -- they have good stability, nice speed and maneuverability.

HOWEVER...
When my seat broke after less than four months, it was a major ordeal to get it fixed. "They" (whoever 'they' are) decided that his breakage was 'the seat user error' (funny, 'they' never talked to me about this). 'They' then graciously sent me a part to fix the seat saying that it was easy to fix. Well not so fast. I am an airline pilot and flew for the Navy for decades, so I am very good at all things mechanical. This 'easy' fix required a special tool for installing plastic rivets, now plastic 'snaps' to hold the seat cushion to the seat and a Dremel to remove the old rivets.

Do NOT get this boat if it part of it might break -- you will be left up a creek without a paddle when it comes to getting it fixed.

Well I gotta tell ya... We decided this year with our tax return to get new Kayaks, upgrading from a Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable 'thing'... We read review after review on here, talked on forums, and everyone had some negative opinion one way or another so...

We said forget it. We went to the Backpackers Shop here in Sheffield Lake, Ohio and just decided to try Kayaks. Sat in them, found comfy ones, nice deck rigging and we knew the basics of what we wanted... At least 12' length, front and rear sealed bulkheads, and comfortable seating.

I looked at the Current Designs Breeze and some other CD boat and this one - the WS Tsunami 125 and sat in them all for 15-20 mins each and in the way of comfort, the Tsunami took the Gold. The design of the boat, now I'm not an engineer, but the Tsunami just LOOKED like it would cut thru the water a whole lot nicer than the other two boats in our price range... Very nice deck rigging, BOTH front and back sealed. We were sold. WITHOUT these reviews, we bought the Tsunami's.

The night we got them home, we sat them in our family room, sat IN them for 3 hours watching a movie and it was never uncomfortable...

Tonight, we took them on the lake for the first time. We went to Hinckley Lake which is a smaller inland lake within the Cleveland Metroparks. It just stormed all over the place and it was about 15 mph winds, so we actually saw waves that looked closer to one foot as they were capping over and curling... Kinda scary but the boats handled more than well... very stable, very easy to maneuver, and most of all very comfortable on the water. It was easy to adjust the foot pedals once in the water.

I give this boat a 10 because they are our first real hard Kayaks and the stability, size, price, sealed front and rear bulkheads, and comfort make this a hands down perfect choice for an entry level to intermediate level touring kayak!! Enjoy your paddling adventures! We know we will!

I bought my kayak (a Tsunami 125 made by Wilderness Systems) last December (2008). I have been exploring lakes, creeks, rivers, and the near coastal Atlantic. This boat does it all. I have been in chop and strong current and prevailed without having to overwork myself. I have used it in Winter, Spring, and Summer. I am looking forward to Fall.

This boat has performed well under varied conditions and I would recommend it to all averaged size males (6', 180 lbs). It is OK to carry for about 50-100 yards; any longer and you'll want wheels. I transport it on the roof of a SUV so I load it alone over my head which is doable even after a rigorous paddle.

No reportable problems with this kayak. I recommend it for anyone that wants a mid-range touring kayak. The "W" decals fell off pretty quick but I didn't buy it to advertise for Wilderness Systems. Overall this is a great kayak and I wish I was in it right now.

I wanted a kayak that I could carry and was comfortable. Something that tracked well enough to paddle across a lake but also make it down a class I-II river. Sound impossible. Not for the Tsunami 125. I bought it on Craig's list for $500. Sure it has a bunch of scratches and I'm the third owner. Doesn't matter. It works great. I can carry it with one hand. The seat is amazingly comfortable with two adjustments; one for the back and one to bring up the knees. The cockpit is roomy and my 6' 180lb body fits in easily. My backpack fits through the oval hatch. My paddle is secured by the bungie. If I buy another Kayak, it will be from Wilderness Systems. They rock.

We went down to southern NJ from about 10am to 6pm on Saturday and had a blast. Three of us went, and we found that it was surprisingly easier to pick out "our" boat than we had thought it would be. Thanks to the advice given by some members of the PCC we got there with good research already done.

We started off by trying the WS Tsunami 125, 120, and Carolina 12, then moved into the Necky Manitou 13 and sport. We then tried the Tsunami 135 and 140, and Blackwater 10.5 and 12. There were a few Old Towns mixed in, but I don't recall which models. Oh, and for giggles (for which we really didn't get any) we all tried the Pungo, Pamlico, and Prodigy.

In the end, I had a very tough choice between the Tsunami 135 and 125. I loved the low profile of the 135, and it's width, ease and speed, but for my size, I was afraid that it would be too cramped on long days - there was no real ability to bend my knees, and my feet, with shoes on, were seriously overlapping... ugh, still a very nice boat and wanted it to work. So, the 125 it is.

We've taken the boats out now and are thrilled with them. They are light enough to be able to put them up on the car by myself, and easily fits in our shed. I'm 6' 190lbs, and this boat gives me what I need: room. Enough room to stretch out my legs without having to press on the forward bulkhead. Enough room to lift my knees to get them stretched. Enough room to be able to turn around and access the rear dry well.

Another nice feature about this boat is it's flexibility with regards to people. My father is 5'10'' and 220 - got right in and made it move. My grandfather at 6'2" didn't have any problems. My wife at 5'7" chose the boat for herself! Lots of flexibility. Oh, the foot pegs, thigh braces, and seat are all very nice. We are looking forward to taking them out on the Delaware very soon.

coming out of a Perception dancer white water kayak, and wanted to boat with a rec/touring boat, I use this kayak for fishing on lakes and streams, the seat is completely adjustable and very comfortable, I'm used to thigh braces on white water boats so the thigh braces on the Tsunami make the transformation to touring yaks very smooth Now onto the handling: very smooth tracks very well, and has more than enough speed for a 12.5' yak, within 5 min I was completely at home in this boat, the paddle holder on the side works very well as a rod holder and the deck rigging is more than ample. I rigged the boat with an anchor trolly system and flush mount rod holder and the yak suits my needs perfectly. The foot peg adjustment is very nice and easy to adjust during use. Adjusting from power stroke to casual paddling with ease, the yak is very stable and slices though the water with ease aprox 4mi/hr without fatigue...

All in all, I am very satisfied with this kayak 20% off for $805 including tax at Eastern Mountain Sports in June of 2008. If you're thinking about buying a rec touring boat I highly recommend this yak

I have been kayaking for almost 10 years, but the Tsunami 125 is the first kayak I've actually bought. I demoed it on a misty rain, windy day one year ago, and I haven't looked back since!

It tracks very well, has excellent secondary stability and smalls waves are no problem. The seat is absolutely amazing, a must since I am prone to back problems. It has more padding and strap adjustments than I knew kayak seats could have! The 125 is the perfect length to fit on my 14' Jetta, and it's weight is very manageable for me when I'm alone (5'9", 170# woman). The thigh braces are adjustable, and have great padding.

The only thing I have a problem with are the foot pedals. I have size 11 feet, and they tend to get a bit scrunched when wearing sneakers in colder weather. Barefoot is no problem, although the screws on the pedal tend to poke the sides of my feet. That's the only thing I see wrong with this kayak! You will not regret buying it.

I'm 6'1", 195lbs, experienced and comfortable on the water, but moderately new to kayaking. I shopped everything, and found that the Tsunami 140 and 125 fit me perfectly and had all of the features I wanted (the seat is the best I could find.) I opted for the 125, and have been absolutely pleased with it.

I have had it out in still water several times, and this past weekend took it to the Outer Banks to blast through the surf for some true ocean paddling. This 125 cruises faster than the comparable Necky and Perception kayaks that my friends were paddling. Mine was the boat that everyone wanted to try out.

Craftsmanship: perfect.
Design: so much better than those of my friends. This boat needs no skeg, tracks very well, and has fairly good roll stability.
Features: It has everything I need, and several features found only on much more expensive boats.
Only complaint: I usually were shoes, but when going barefoot, my feet hit against the screws holding the foot braces.

To summarize, I am extremely pleased with the Tsunami 125. The Wilderness Systems web site blows, so don't bother going there for much info. (I think they have wisely spent their time designing and manufacturing excellent kayaks with lifetime warranties!) Find one at a local retailer. Sit in it and adjust that great seat. See if they'll let you put one in the water, and you'll buy it!

I just bought the 125 Tsunami, as a first time Yaker - it's incredible. I demo'd many... and the next closest to this that I enjoyed was the Necky with its narrower cockpit. It is very stable, great for a first timer -- and it glides very well through the water. I demo'd on a very windy choppy day, and I was convinced that day that this was the one for me. The seat is very comfortable and I love the extra deck rigging all over, and it has 2 storage hatches. My only complaint to date, is that one of my foot braces tends to stick when I adjust it for my husband to use, hopefully it'll work the kinks out. Great purchase!!!

I just purchased this yak after paddling the shorter Old Town Rush for a year. This is a sweeeet boat. I tried it in 15 mph winds with a good chop on our nearby reservoir. It is very stable, great tracking without a rudder, and easily maintains a respectable speed. It also glides nicely between paddle strokes. I often explore the swamps and creeks here in Mississippi. It turns slower than the "Rush" of course but that is to be expected. The seat is hands down more comfortable than any yak I've ever sat in. I ordered it from LL Bean and received it in 4 days! I would highly recommend this boat to anyone.

I'm 6', 200lbs, size 11 feet. I've been paddling the Tsunami 125 for a year now, and may have found my perfect boat. It tracks well, turns easily, and the outfitting is head and shoulders above anything else I've tried. I've had it on rivers, lakes, and along the coast. It's handled every condition imagineable, and has been rock steady through everything. Even 3' swells and 40 mph winds don't affect it much. It windcocks slight, but was easy to correct with paddle strokes. I only have two complaints - the top deck seems to dent in easily (although the dent pops right back out in the sun), and the rear hatch cover doesn't seal well. Other than that, I don't think I'd change a thing. If you want a boat you won't outgrow, and don't want to deal with the off-water hassles of a longer boat, I'd give the Tsunami 125 a long look.