Wilderness Systems Tarpon E 120 Kayak Walkthrough - Features & Design Overview

A close look at the Wilderness Systems Tarpon E 120 Kayak - a popular Sit On Top Kayak for paddling and kayak fishing on the coast, lakes and other inland waters. In this video i review the hull design and run through the features of the Tarpon 120 in close detail and discuss the reasons why this is one of the best all-round kayaks and a great choice for first-time paddlers.
If you are based in the UK, the Tarpon E 120 can be purchased from Cornwall Canoes: www.cornwall-canoes.co.uk/wil...
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[@IRONMANMETALBILLDANKANIS]

Man I've been watching your videos for about a year now and can't believe you don't have more subscribers. You have some pretty in-depth analysis about stuff. God bless, love from Philly

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks for the appreciation! I think my videos need to be shared around a few US groups to up my sub numbers 😅 It’s a much, much smaller industry here in the UK. Thanks for the comment though and for watching my content 😀

[@jilarias5125]

Thank you for that very thorough review. I'm looking into purchasing one and I think you've just convinced me to do it.

[@skicoach477]

Very thorough. Thank you

[@richardhackman5129]

Hi Liam - great video thanks - all the better for the fact that you’ve featured the actual Kayak that I picked up from you last week!! You’ve done a superb job of fitting this out for me - and I can’t wait to get her out on the water when conditions allow. Tight lines 😊

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Richard, it’s a great kayak and I’m sure you will have some really great times with it. Fingers crossed it’s a fish magnet 😁 🎣

[@thewanderer8]

A proper review. Thanks

[@KayakMark34]

Thanks for this video! I'm looking at getting the C-Tug Cart, saw your C-Tug video, and then hit this link becuase I have this same Tarpon 120! You showing the C-Tug fitting in the front of the Tarpon 120 was EXACTLY what I has hoping to find!!! And you show that IT FITS!!! Great Video showing how to assemble the cart, especially the straps, in the other video! p.s. I have had 4 Tarpons over the last 15 or so years (the 100, 120-older style, 160, and currently, This exact 120 as you have) and have loved them all, but the 120 size is the perfect size IMO. This 120 is my favorite, and I will never get rid of her! Thanks Again!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Mark, glad the video helped! The C-Tug is a great trolley and you’ll have no regrets. Wow a Tarpon 160, they are hard to come by now but a great sit on top for covering distance. The 120 is definitely the better all-rounder though 😃

[@KayakMark34]

@@CornishKayakAngler The 160 was Great for large rough waters (but so is the 120, just might get alittle more wet), but it weathercocked alot (no rudder), and was a Beast to haul around.

[@sampeel9675]

Really good video. Really helped me decide about buying this over others.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks Sam, I hope you enjoy your Tarpon 😎

[@WildIrishSoul]

Super video 👍👍

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Thanks! I hope you found it useful 😀

[@dougmarshall4566]

I have an older version of the tarpon 120 and it lets water in through the front hatch. This hatch design looks much better. Do you know when they changed the design and are you able to replace the older hatch with the newer one?? Or even replacing the rubber gasket might help if you know where I might be able to get hold of one. Failing that, i might be looking at an upgrade :) Great series of videos showing the fitting out of this kayak.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi Doug, I believe the newer design hatch was introduced during 2018-19 models. It definitely has a better design than the previous version. The newer hatch has a slightly different shape so it’s not a straight swap. It would be best to contact Wilderness Systems for advice on this. Tarpons are well respected kayaks so hold good second hand value. If you sold yours you may find it’s not too much more to get a new one 😀

[@Mark--Todd]

Great video, thanks. Could you tell me what the 'E' denotes please? I'm looking to buy this kayak this year and there seems a few different options. On the US videos they say the 2020 model has rigid handles but I see yours still has the straps or is this just a different option again?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

I’m not exactly sure what the E stands for, but it is used in quite a few of the Wilderness and Dagger models here in the UK, so I believe it’s to differentiate between the spec sold here and the newer / different US spec. The newer version shown in the US videos is a currently a special order import here to the UK as the moulds are based in the US. The Tarpon E 120 is moulded here in the UK.

[@billythephoenix]

I'm guessing the 'E' stands for European. I also am interested buying this kayak, that's why I'm here checking out this great in depth review. I'm really dig'n the locking hatch's as well!

[@totalcranker]

Hi Liam Great video. On my wish list, I have the Tarpon 120, the Perception triumph 13 and the Swell scupper 14. I would say I'm a half decent paddler and have spent many years on SOT's, i want some decent performance and plan to take it in some decent Cornish chop.... Although I will do some fishing in it at times I will mainly be paddling round the coast, can you help me decide which of the 3 would best suit? Thanks in advance👍

[@CornishKayakAngler]

It depends if you want to sacrifice some comfort and stability for performance. The Triumph 13 is a very capable tourer but benefits from having a rudder kit fitted for better performance in windier conditions. The Tarpon is the more comfortable and feels a touch more stable than the triumph (but not much between them). I’ve no experience with the Swell kayak so can’t comment on that one. Only other kayak you haven’t mentioned is the RTM Tempo - that would be top of my list based on what you’re looking to do, however it best suited to paddlers under 16st (not sure on you’re size). Hope this helps!

[@totalcranker]

@@CornishKayakAngler Hi Liam Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. The Tempo would have been top of the list if it was a tad shorter as I am limited by storage... The scupper 14 sounds a bit too good to be true so I'm worried that it all good marketing rather than real world reviews. It really is down to the Triumph or the Tarpon. The Tarpon looks have it all except maybe the speed advantage of the triumph. I spent about 18 years on a Ocean Kayak Mars which I loved, and in hind site probably should have kept! I dabbled with a Dagger Stratos which was amazing but I just couldn't get used to the claustrophobic sit in feeling. So it's back to a sit on top, the problem now is I want the best of both worlds! Performance wise is there a much noticeable difference between the triumph and the Tarpon?

[@Kernow-lerf]

Hi bud I’ve just moved to Cornwall looking to get my first sea fishing Kayak I’m 18 stone I take it this wouldn’t be suitable can you make suggestion what I should be looking at of course I’m trying to loose some hopefully kayaking will help any tips what and where from please much appreciated

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi David, you’d be right at the top end of the ‘comfortable’ carrying capacity of the Tarpon 120. I’m not sure if you have a budget, but I’d personally recommend the Viking Profish Reload as one of the best options for coastal use and one that offers good stability for paddlers up to 20st and great performance being 14.5ft long. Viking also do the Profish GT which is a great kayak for those wanting lots of stability in a 12ft kayak. Another to look at is the Feelfree Moken 12.5 V2 but this is more for calmer conditions as it can be hard work to paddle if the conditions go against you, whereas the Viking Profish Reload and Profish GT will take on even rough coastal waters and still provide reassuring comfort. The Moken is very stable though and at a lower price point so depends how much you are wanting to spend. Get in touch with Cornwall Canoes - a kayak fishing specialist store who can sort you with everything you need! Hope this helps 🎣

[@Kernow-lerf]

That’s brilliant thanks so much I’ve a budget of around 1k but obviously I’ve other things to consider seating trolley wheels rod holders so thought I may need to build up equipment in time as I develop skills snd area knowledge I moved down with my job 9 months ago hoping to bring my 35 years of freshwater fishing skills and mainly lure fishing the last 4 years to costal fishing how wrong I was I’ve caught 8 fish in all that time from meva or Newlyn and I’d say probably 100 blanks at least very disheartening I’m hoping that getting onto the water will help certainly offer more opportunities I’ll take a look at the vikings thanks 🙏

[@parkerfortune8313]

Does water come in through the scuppers when your paddling?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

A small amount may trickle up through but in general you don’t notice it. However, the heavier load you put onto the hull, the lower it will sit in the water and some paddlers who are getting towards the max paddler capacity of the kayak may find some more water pushing up through the scuppers both when stationary and whilst paddling.

[@glenmayepete]

This or the Perception Triumph 13 for UK coastal paddling / touring and very light fishing. I'm 6'4", weighing 90kg

[@CornishKayakAngler]

The Triumph 13 has plenty of legroom for a taller paddler. I’m 6’2 and the Tarpon is fine, although I think I’m on the last notch on the footrests, so it may be a little more cramped if you are 6’4. Both fine for general coastal paddling and a spot of fishing. The Tarpon is a little easier to add accessories too thanks to the slide tracks.

[@patriciathurston6396]

How do I replace the front and back handles

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Hi Patricia, you should be able to unscrew the bolts holding the handles in place. These will be bolted into a moulded-in threaded brass insert. Simply unscrew and then bolt on a new webbing carry handle in its place using the same bolts. Hope this helps!

[@Robp787]

Would this be good for rivers?

[@CornishKayakAngler]

It would be fine for very slow moving rivers and the occasional gentle rapid, but its not really a kayak that is best suited to anything too challenging on moving water. If regularly paddling on rivers with moderate flowing water then you’d want something a bit more manoeuvrable. This makes for easier handling when negotiating obstacles and features when paddling downriver.

[@Robp787]

@@CornishKayakAngler the most I'd be taking on is very short grade 3 sections, commuting rather than hanging about, tbf there is only one 3 on the river I use, but I'm wondering if I could push through

[@pacman4568]

160 kg max 18 stone = 114.5kg that leaves 46kg for fishing tackle and gear. That's max load making the kayak tippy as you say. At around 134kg load that is still tippy and would feel very unstable. Be honest in your review and state this kayak is not for any one over 17 stone or 108kg. Any load over all load from 110kg to 130kg load is going to make this kayak feel unstable or as you say a bit tippy.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Yep I make that strikingly apparent at around the 1 minute mark when I say it is suitable for someone up to around 110kg and still remain comfortable to paddle without being too tippy. Can’t get much more honest than that!! Most people just go off the manufacturers capacity and hope for the best! Stability very much depends on the paddler, their ability and past kayaking experience. I have seen paddlers over 20st completely happy on Tarpons, but that’s because they have come from touring kayaks and were capable of paddling kayaks with much narrower beams.

[@pacman4568]

@@CornishKayakAngler So you agree not for larger less experienced people.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

Yep, the whole point of me saying “I’d recommend it up to a paddler of 110kg” is basically saying, don’t take the manufacturers max capacity as the paddler capacity. So yeah, if inexperienced, stay within around 2/3rds of the max capacity as your max paddler capacity and you won’t go too far wrong. Same applies to most of the sit on tops. It is a shame sit on top manufacturers don’t clearly state recommended max paddler capacity. I think it’s a bit deceiving to provide max capacity ratings to what are often first time buyers, as many will take that rating as the max paddler weight. I think we are on the same wavelength here? For larger paddlers, say 17st+ look for something with a max rating of 180kg+ or 200kg+ if larger again!

[@Shutityou]

You might want to lay off the pies there buddy.

[@Scole614]

The hatches are not efficient as anything you put inside of it can go anywhere inside the haul and hard to reach.

[@CornishKayakAngler]

There are small loops of cord attached to the hatch rim to clip your gear too. I didn’t point this out in the video. Or just put anything you need a dry bag inside the hatch then it won’t roll down into the hull 😃

[@Does_It_matter-No_it_doesnt]

That's what boxes and bags are for, jeez

[@michaellesueur5103]

What a stunningly beautiful girl!

[@CornishKayakAngler]

💁🏼‍♀️