Wilderness Ride 115X for BTB ? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

5-20 · 06-10-2014, 09:29 AM

Thanks, easyday. That's really something to chew on, especially since I have a bad shoulder. In the past, "harder to paddle" would've translated to "better workout" for me but now with this shoulder, it might mean "less time on the water!"

Hmm... I am making another trip to OEX soon and will give the T140 some more thought.

Couple things:

- Do you really need a rudder with this yak to help with tracking/drifts or would that be more of a luxury?

- How's standing up in this yak? I'm not sure the area by your feet is configured in the best way for this.

easyday · 06-10-2014, 10:42 AM

For the rudder absolutely on the 160, after having a rudder I will never own a kayak longer than 14 without one. I think you could probably get away without one on the 140 but the huge advantage of the rudder is no hard paddling only one side to do slight turns or course adjustments, and in the wind the rudder keeps it tracking nice. The whole standing thing is very iffy. I have stood in my 160 but it was for a brief second in a sheltered cove on a lake. I wouldn't recommend standing in a tarpon. I never stood in my x factor, not being able to stand on a kayak isnt a big deal for me I never do it anyway. Then again I am 6'2 and 220 lbs so my center of gravity isnt really working in my odds on this one. I can say this though when I go out I spend 10+ hours on the water and the seat on the tarpons are amazing. I dont know where you are located but im in the Irvine area. I would be happy to meet ya somewhere so you can test out the 160 just to get a feel for the speed of the tarpon series. I mainly fish big open water, if you are looking for fresh water stand up bass fishing the ride series is what you wanna take a look at.

Siebler · 06-10-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5-20

Thanks, easyday. That's really something to chew on, especially since I have a bad shoulder. In the past, "harder to paddle" would've translated to "better workout" for me but now with this shoulder, it might mean "less time on the water!"

Hmm... I am making another trip to OEX soon and will give the T140 some more thought.

Couple things:

- Do you really need a rudder with this yak to help with tracking/drifts or would that be more of a luxury?

- How's standing up in this yak? I'm not sure the area by your feet is configured in the best way for this.

Absolutely come try them.

Rudders are a luxury, the Wildy boats perform GREAT without but all kayaks perform better with. Not to mention the increased control while drifting. Every yak I own has a rudder, I love them.

A lot of poeple stand on the 140, I am not one of them. The boat is definitely not meant as a stand up fishing boat, it is a performance based boat. It offers plenty of stability but not the stupid amounts that you find in those stand up boats like the Ride. The real question is how much will you really stand? Even on a Ride I stand rarely. In the Commander I stand more than anything but even still it is just for the occasional flip or pitch to cover in freshwater.

Have you considered the Ride 135? It may be the bets of both worlds for you and with the new AirPro Max seat coming out in October this boat is going to be hard to beat in its class.

5-20 · 06-10-2014, 10:34 PM

Thanks easyday (and cj). Went with a xfactor. Made a separate post about that. Appreciate the advice!

06-10-2014, 09:29 AM	#1
5-20 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 241	Thanks, easyday. That's really something to chew on, especially since I have a bad shoulder. In the past, "harder to paddle" would've translated to "better workout" for me but now with this shoulder, it might mean "less time on the water!" Hmm... I am making another trip to OEX soon and will give the T140 some more thought. Couple things: - Do you really need a rudder with this yak to help with tracking/drifts or would that be more of a luxury? - How's standing up in this yak? I'm not sure the area by your feet is configured in the best way for this. Last edited by 5-20; 06-10-2014 at 09:36 AM.

06-10-2014, 10:42 AM	#2
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,470	For the rudder absolutely on the 160, after having a rudder I will never own a kayak longer than 14 without one. I think you could probably get away without one on the 140 but the huge advantage of the rudder is no hard paddling only one side to do slight turns or course adjustments, and in the wind the rudder keeps it tracking nice. The whole standing thing is very iffy. I have stood in my 160 but it was for a brief second in a sheltered cove on a lake. I wouldn't recommend standing in a tarpon. I never stood in my x factor, not being able to stand on a kayak isnt a big deal for me I never do it anyway. Then again I am 6'2 and 220 lbs so my center of gravity isnt really working in my odds on this one. I can say this though when I go out I spend 10+ hours on the water and the seat on the tarpons are amazing. I dont know where you are located but im in the Irvine area. I would be happy to meet ya somewhere so you can test out the 160 just to get a feel for the speed of the tarpon series. I mainly fish big open water, if you are looking for fresh water stand up bass fishing the ride series is what you wanna take a look at. __________________

06-10-2014, 10:34 PM	#4
5-20 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 241	Thanks easyday (and cj). Went with a xfactor. Made a separate post about that. Appreciate the advice!