WS Tarpon 14

[Friday]

Anyone has opinions on Tarpon 14. I am looking for a spare kayak I can use when my knees hurt.
Also I can take a friend out. Can a 6.3" (215lb) guy can do re-entry to this kayak? It looks the kayak is not a slow kayak.

Bill (Ictalurus),
you own aTarpon 120? What do you think?

Joe

[sunfish king]

I think they’re right nice...stable yet pretty fast...but D@MN their heavy!

[surfnsam]

i had a tarpon 120 before the revo. very nice kayak, stable and quick, nice tank well and the seat was very comfortable. only issue i had was the front hatch leaked a little and the local rep sucked. the 140 is a little narrrower than the 120 so it might be faster. i also had a redfish very good kayak not as fast as a tarpon but no problem standing in it on a choppy day, wish i still had that one.

[justin hart]

Ive heard that the Tarpon does weigh alot but it is great for tracking and pretty stable




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Capt. Justin Hart
Ocean Scrambler 120, Breezy Point, MD

[FishingRod]

I've owned the following kayaks in order of my favorites.

1. Hobie Adventure
2. Tarpon 140
3. Prowler 15

The Tarpon 140 is a really nice and fast kayak. I've never paddled the Tarpon 160 but I imagine it's just as nice as the Tarpon 140 and even faster. If I were buy another non pedal kayak it would be the Tarpon 140 or 160. The Tarpons are heavy, but you don't have to worry as much about putting a hole in the yak if you drag it across the parking lot (i don't recommend this) or have it oil can on you if you keep it on the car rack in the sun for a long time like the Ocean Kayaks and even my Hobie if I leave it on the rack for a long time.

You can rent\demo them at

http://www.annapoliscanoeandkayak.com/

[Friday]

thanks for the info
I have been looking for an Old Prowler 15 because for me it is fast and effortless kayak. But I could not find P15. That's why I am looking into Tarpon 140. It is good to know T140 is a fast kayak.

thanks,
Joe

[ert972]

my buddy has a tarpon 14 it's about the same weight as my big game prowler. i paddled it one time in our pond and it was pretty fast. i'm 6'4 and it was plenty stable too ( i stood up in it but that was CALM water). also has huge storage in the rear.

[ictalurus]

I haven't tried a Tarpon 140. My Tarpon 120 is pretty nice. The seat is awesome, and it seems faster than the Manta Ray 12 I had (at least with me paddling it). WS changed the bow a little bit on the new model compared to the previous model, and I actually don't like the change. They increased the bow volume and rounded out the keel some. It turns faster, but I think it pushes more water now, rather than cutting through it like the older model did. I have to say, I really liked the old Prowler 15s. I only paddled one once, but it was awesome. The Trident 13 or 15 might be comparable. Anyway, reentry into the Tarpon is pretty easy as the gunwales are really rounded. However, my 34" inseam maxes out the foot rests. If your buddy has longer legs, he might not be comfortable. I don't understand why they make the foot rest slide start so close to the seat. I think I can get the Tarpon to cruise as fast as I cruise in my Outback, at least in calm conditions.

The only other paddle kayak I spent any time in was a Hobie Quest, which is 13ft long. There was barely enough room in that one for me. I didn't try reentry. It seemed pretty quick, but didn't track as straight as my Tarpon. It was also at least 10lbs heavier than the Tarpon, maybe more. I might actually choose the Tarpon over the Quest now that the Tarpon has a big center hatch and a much nicer seat.

[justin hart]

Anybody have info on the Hobie Mirage Outback


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Capt. Justin Hart
Ocean Scrambler 120, Breezy Point, MD

[Friday]

Justin,
Mirage drive is very nice feature and Outback is good size for you for a few years. Bill can answer your question since he owns one.

Justin. Are you still 14 years old?

Joe

[cormech]

The 140 is a very nice ride. If you are over 200lbs then it is going to be a wet ride and you will have to use scupper plugs. It is fast and stable. The Tarpon line is my favorite in rough water.