Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140

[sagamoron]

Looking for a bit of advice while shopping for a kayak. Looks like a friend can get me a pretty nice deal on either the Tarpon 140 or 120. Wondering if the 120 won't be enough boat for me.(6'1" 215) Will be hitting scorton creek, duxbury bay, ellisville, and joppa and many others. any advice from those of you who fish regularly from a kayak.

Thanks
Mark (#$119)

[dlangan]

Personally I have a Pungo 140, but the other dad I go with (we tend to be a gang of father and sons) has a Tarpon 120. Very nice boat, no doubt about it. I have spent some time in it myself :-) The owner is about your size. But it does feel a little small (to me) and it's not as fast as my Pungo. In his case transport was much much easier with a 12' versus a 14' - hence the choice. But from everything I hear, if there aren't any key issues - you would be happy with the 120 and happier with the 140.

[sagamoron]

sounds good thanks. I was thinking that 14 would be the best fit, it may come down to cost, although in the long run I think the larger boat of the two is best.

[Anglin75]

I have a T140 and think it is great. Very stable platform, and from what I've heard can be launched from the beach easy enough. I have not done that yet however. I would highly recommend a rudder on it however, particularly if you get a dectent fish on, be prepared to go for a ride, and it would be good if you could stear around bouys, rocks, oncoming traffic... :eek:

There's lots of space to work with, and there a loads of little bolt-on things that help out immensly...

Good luck

[ChemFly]

I suggest that you consider the T140 if you plan on venturing out into bays and large estuaries, especially if an afternoon wind can create a modest chop.

12ft of anything is too small for a moderately large body of water, regardless of the conditions.

[DbleHaul]

If you own a Tarpon 140 and are anywhere near 200 pounds (I'm just a bit shy of that mark), you will need the scupper plugs. Without them the kayak will get a bit of upwelling from below and your paddle speed will suffer. It's just the way boat sets in the water, that's all.

I'm 195 and thoroughly enjoy my 140, scupper plugs and all. --127-3-

[sagamoron]

Thanks for all the advice, looks like the 140 will be the go.

hopefully once I get it good to go someone might show me around joppa? :rolleyes:

i'd swap out some knowledge on Duxbury Bay....

-mark

[RJ]

sagamoron,

I'm 6 foot, 230 Pounds and 66 years old. I bought a Tarpon 160i last Spring and used it in NY, Cape Cod and Mosquito Lagoon in FL this past year!

Great rid and the rudder is a must. You can steer with your feet and fish with both hands. Even a light breeze will allow you to cover a ton of water without touching the paddles. The rudder also lets you put a little more pressure on a big fish and that is a large plus too!

I didn't do any stand up fishing last year, but I have read on this site and others that several Tarpon owners are doing stand up fishing in quiet waters and claim the ability to balance, cast and catch fish.

I will spend several hours testing this theory as soon as it gets warm enough.

The T-140 is nice but if you are over 200 # the scupper plugs might be necessary!

If you get the 140 and fish Scorton Creek think about using wood or plastic stakes to hold and position your boat in the flow and set up a clear back cast area.

A trick the guys in Florida showed men in November!

One stake to anchor the Tarpon and the second stake to fix you angle so you have a clear and easy shot at the are you want to target and a clen area behind you for your back cast.

Scorton Creek is fairly open, but it can't hurt to know that the current or the wind will not push you around and out of position.

The Florida and Georgia troops fish narrow mangrove lined creeks and back cast clearance is a must.

I have used a Pungo for years and have a P-140! Great boat, but I find the T-160 more to my liking as I realize my body is showing signs of war and tear!

:brow

Good luck on you purchase! :-%

[RJ]

sagamoron,

I'm 6 foot, 230 Pounds and 66 years old. I bought a Tarpon 160i last Spring and used it in NY, Cape Cod and Mosquito Lagoon in FL this past year!

Great ride and the rudder is a must. You can steer with your feet and fish with both hands. Even a light breeze will allow you to cover a ton of water without touching the paddles. The rudder also lets you put a little more pressure on a big fish and that is a large plus too!

I didn't do any stand up fishing last year, but I have read on this site and others that several Tarpon owners are doing stand up fishing in quiet waters and claim the ability to balance, cast and catch fish.

I will spend several hours testing this theory as soon as it gets warm enough.

The T-140 is nice but if you are over 200 # the scupper plugs might be necessary!

If you get the 140 and fish Scorton Creek think about using wood or plastic stakes to hold and position your boat in the flow and set up a clear back cast area.

Push the stakes thru the scupper holes to fix and position the yak! :)

A trick the guys in Florida showed men in November!

One stake to anchor the Tarpon and the second stake to fix you angle so you have a clear and easy shot at the are you want to target and a clen area behind you for your back cast.

Scorton Creek is fairly open, but it can't hurt to know that the current or the wind will not push you around and out of position.

The Florida and Georgia troops fish narrow mangrove lined creeks and back cast clearance is a must.

I have used a Pungo for years and have a P-140! Great boat, but I find the T-160 more to my liking as I realize my body is showing signs of war and tear!

:brow

Good luck on you purchase! :-%

[joev]

Your too heavy for the 140.
You will end up with a inch of water in the cockpit and tank well.
You will have to use the scupper plugs to keep the water out.
Get a 120 or 160.
Get a rudder on either one also if you can.

Good Luck
JoeV

[doyle007]

i have the 120. i'm 6'2", 198 lbs. i love this kayak, although i probably would have gone with the 140 if it was available when i purchased my kayak.

the only issue that i have with the 120 is the leg room. most of the time that i'm in the kayak, i have to put my feet past the foot pedals, so that the bottoms of my feet are up against the hull. other than that, i love it. i get very little water in the bottom of the footwell, so i have not bothered with scupper plugs.

i also recommend a rudder. i went without one because it's what they had in stock at the time, but the more i think about it, the more i'm toying with the idea of adding an after market one.

[averagejoe]

I put a 120 up for sale in boats/electronics section. I'm thrwoing in a never used 2 piece wood paddle for newbies.

[LEFTUS]

Joe did you buy one of those dreaded peddle craft? :eek: Lefty