The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 kayak offers superlative performance in a compact and versatile package. This kayak lives up to its cred as a sit-on-top “legend” with a design heritage dating back 20 years. Tarpon 100 paddlers highlight this boat’s exceptional performance in a variety of recreational kayaking applications, including day paddling, kayak fishing and overnight touring.
Though this model has been discontinued (replaced by the slightly longer Tarpon 105), the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is still widely available on the used market. This kayak remains a top pick for recreational paddling, with comfortable outfitting and a hull design that performs in a variety of conditions, from flatwater to easy surf.
On the water with Wildy’s Tarpon 100
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Specs
Length: 10’ / 3 m
Width: 30.5” / 77.5 cm
Weight: 55 lbs / 25 kg
Capacity: 325 lbs / 147 kg
Performance
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 sit-on-top kayak combines moderate speed and tracking with good maneuverability. These performance characteristics are all related to the kayak’s rocker, that is the amount of curve across its bow to stern hull profile.
In other words, rocker describes how much “banana” shape there is to a kayak hull. Highly rockered kayaks turn easily at the expense of glide and speed; meanwhile, kayaks with modest rocker (A.K.A. straight keel line) are more efficient to paddle in a straight line, at the expense of turning capacity. You’ll appreciate a straight-tracking kayak on open water and in wind and waves; while more rocker provides better maneuverability for river paddling.
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is billed as an “all around” recreational kayak, and the manufacturer managed to achieve a good balance of paddling characteristics for both flatwater lakes and smooth-flowing rivers. You may prefer one of the longer Wilderness Systems Tarpon models if you’re looking for a more efficient hull design primarily for lake paddling.
Check The Weather
- Plan for changing weather conditions. Prepare for the worst case.
- Don’t forget to check tide, currents, or river levels.
Additionally, the Wilderness System Tarpon 100 hull features sharp entry lines at the bow to part the water smoothly and track efficiently and quietly—a great feature for wildlife photography enthusiasts and anglers. The 30.5-inch width imparts reassuring stability, even for beginners. Kayak anglers wondering can you stand up in a Tarpon 100 will find plenty of stability, but not quite enough deck space for standing; sit-down casting is advised.
With 325 pounds of capacity there’s enough volume for all your fishing kit, day gear or even overnight camping equipment. In short, the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 sit on top kayak has something for everyone and won’t hold you back as your skills and paddling aspirations grow.
Market and demographics
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 beginner kayak is stable and comfortable to paddle yet also delivers enough performance to grow your skills in dynamic paddling conditions. If you’re looking for a versatile, made-in-USA recreational kayak the Tarpon 100 is an outstanding choice. It comes standard with clever features that make kayaking easier and more enjoyable—just bear in mind its open deck makes it best suited for use in warm weather and water conditions.
For kayak fishing, Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 anglers describe it as an “advanced open water fishing kayak,” praising its speed and handling. The Tarpon 100 is best described as a crossover kayak. It includes few angling-specific features so diehard anglers will want to make their own modifications—such as rod holders mounted to accessory rails—to improve the Tarpon 100 as an angling kayak.
Comfort
Comfort and paddling efficiency go hand in hand with the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100. Unlike many other recreational sit-on-top kayaks, the Tarpon 100 features the same adjustable foot rests found in sit-inside kayaks, which enable the paddler to make a solid connection to the boat and use the body’s larger muscle groups—including the core and legs—for stronger paddling over longer distances.
Other Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 reviews praise the comfort of its adjustable seat, which is mounted low in the kayak for better stability and features airy, quick-drying 3D foam and mesh construction.
About the Tarpon 100 kayak
Design
Design features and details
Unlike many other recreational kayaks, whose blunt bows tend to push water like tugboats in the water, the Tarpon 100 features a narrow entry at the bow—a sleek look that’s reminiscent of Wilderness Systems’ touring kayaks. Not only does this allow the kayak to move in virtual silence as it slices through the water, it also makes the overall paddling experience easier with less resistance.
Meanwhile, the Wilderness System Tarpon 100’s flared sides shed waves and make it feel super stable in choppy conditions, drawing upon a design feature known as “secondary stability”—another attribute typical of more advanced sea kayaks. Combined, the Tarpon 100’s sleek entry and flare are the foundation of a seaworthy design.
Material and construction
Like many other recreational kayaks the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is constructed of rotomolded polyethylene, a durable plastic that stands up to abuse and is easy to maintain. Wilderness Systems has created a resilient kayak that’s also stiff and efficient to paddle due to the flared hull shape.
Design trends
The Tarpon 100 is the smallest sibling of a broad, best-selling lineup of made-in-USA recreational sit-on-top kayaks from Wilderness Systems, including the Tarpon 120, Tarpon 140 and Tarpon 160. The difference in the models is mainly the length, ranging from 10 feet for the Tarpon 100, to 16 feet for the Tarpon 160.
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 has since been replaced by the new Tarpon 105. The Tarpon series is Wilderness Systems’ all-around lineup of sit-on-top kayaks; these versatile models work equally well for recreational paddling and kayak fishing.
Wear A Life Jacket
- Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.
- Always wear a USCG-approved Level 70 or Type III life jacket designed for paddling.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 outfitting and accessories
Outfitting on any kayak begins with the seat. In this regard, the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 seat delivers industry-leading comfort and adjustability. The standard Phase3 AirPro seating adjusts up and down with an intuitive array of straps and levers, enabling all-day comfort regardless of your body shape and size. The clever design carries over to the seat material, which is quick-drying and airy.
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is equipped with four accessory rails—two in the bow, and two in the stern—which provide solid lash points for deck-mounted gear and convenient attachment points for action cameras, fishing rod holders and your GPS unit. The standard foot rests are reminiscent of those on touring kayaks, with easy adjustability (simply squeeze the lever on the back of the foot rest). This style offers more range of adjustment and greater support than the molded foot rests on other sit-on-top kayaks.
Finally, there’s plenty of storage, with a dry, seven-inch round hatch in the bow and a smaller accessory hatch positioned between the paddler’s legs. A spacious well in the stern of the kayak comes with bungees to secure a large duffel, making it possible to take the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 on an overnight trip.
Accessories including a rudder kit are available from Wilderness Systems. A foot-operated rudder makes the kayak easier to steer and handle better in windy conditions—a worthwhile upgrade if you intend to paddle more seriously. The kit includes foot braces and cables to control the rudder, which attaches to the stern of the kayak.
Other popular add-ons include the Wilderness Systems Kayak Krate, which provides dry storage for fishing tackle and camping gear in the stern well, as well as the Wilderness Systems Kayak Kart for moving the Tarpon 100 from your vehicle to the water’s edge. Kayak anglers will also love the Wilderness Systems Universal Trolling Motor Mount, which attaches easily and provides support for up to a 3 horsepower motor.
Looking for Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 scupper plugs? These and other replacement parts are available from the manufacturer. In fact, 45 replacement parts (ranging from hatch covers to foot rests and fasteners) are available from Wilderness Systems to keep your Tarpon 100 paddling like new.
Opportunity for modifications
Looking for tips on how to modify a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100? Your best place to start is with the kayak’s accessory rails, located in the bow and stern. It’s easy to use these features as mounting points for fishing rods, cameras and GPS units. Another easy modification is to retrofit your Tarpon 100 with the convenient MagnaTech water bottle holder.
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is an outstanding choice for anglers looking for a blank canvas to create the ultimate kayak fishing rig. Start by adjusting the stern bungees to accommodate a tackle crate and go from there, adding practical DIY features like an anchor trolley and fish finder.
Warranty
Like many other kayak manufacturers, Wilderness Systems offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects in the hull and deck. Parts, accessories and outfitting come with a one-year warranty.
How it compares
Wilderness System Tarpon kayaks date back to 2001, with the Tarpon 100 being the shortest model in the lineup. The popular Tarpon 100 was replaced in 2020 with the upgraded Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105, which measures 10’6” and is slightly wider than its shorter sibling.
There’s plenty of competition in the market for sit-on-top kayaks. Wilderness Systems shines for its attention to detail and clever design features, particularly in its outfitting. The Tarpon 100 is a safe kayak for a variety of applications including paddling on lakes, rivers, oceans and easy surf.
Know The Local Hazards
- Check navigation charts before you launch.
- Check with those who have local knowledge of man-made and natural hazards, e.g. low-head dams; sweepers, strainers and undercuts; tides and currents; and rocks and shoals.
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 costs more than recreational kayaks found in big box outlets but you get what you pay for in terms of paddling performance and comfort.
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Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 vs 120
The 10-foot Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 is more compact and maneuverable than the longer, 12-foot Tarpon 120 with somewhat less hull speed and storage space. You may prefer the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 if you’re a larger paddler, looking for more glide or aspiring to overnight touring—this bigger kayak simply features more space and its longer waterline length makes it faster on the water.
The newest, 2020 edition of the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 features upgraded outfitting and a larger bow storage hatch. You’ll also have far more room on board a Tarpon 120 to bring your canine companion along for the ride.
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Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 vs 105
The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 is an upgraded version of the original 100, with an extra six inches of length and two inches of width added to the same sleek, flared hull. Paddling performance is quite similar; the difference is in the outfitting. The Tarpon 105 was released in 2020 to replace the Tarpon 100 with even more creature comforts: a removable storage dry box; a mesh cover for the stern storage well; and a rectangular bow storage hatch that’s easier to load.
Is the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 worth buying new? Paddling performance is very similar so the decision comes down to budget and your desire for comfort features out of the box. If you have the aptitude for DIY upgrades and don’t mind paddling a late model kayak, you may be able to score a great deal on a used Tarpon 100.
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Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 vs Perception Pescador
The Perception Pescador 10 is a solid alternative to the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 with similar paddling characteristics, comfort features and range of accessories. Both kayaks feature the same 325-pound capacity and all-around paddling versatility, suitable for calm water (lakes, rivers and ocean) and easy surf. The Pescador 10 measures slightly longer at 10’6”, offering a bit more deck space. The Tarpon 100 comes standard with four accessory rails, while only the fishing-specific Perception Pescador Pro 10 comes with two accessory rails.
Thinking about the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 vs. the Perception Pescador Pro 10? You’ll find better out-of-the-box fishing performance with the Pescador Pro 10, including built-in rod holders and an inset to mount a fish finder. The Pescador Pro 10 seat is on par with the Tarpon 100’s Phase3 AirPro, with the added bonus of being removable.
If price is a big decision point, consider the Perception Pescador a better value than the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100, with a slightly shorter range of features.
Where to buy the Tarpon 100
Regardless of how many times you Google REI Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100, you won’t find this kayak in retail stores. Instead you’ll have to search Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for a used Tarpon 100. Take a serious look at the upgraded Tarpon 105 kayak if you’ve got the budget for a new boat; it’s available through Wilderness Systems dealers across North America, including REI stores across the United States and independent paddlesports retailers.
Similar to Tarpon 100
Similar to Tarpon 100
Tarpon 105
- Fast, Efficient and Straight Tracking
- Dog-friendly - bring Fido Along for the Ride
- Adjustable Phase 3® AirPro Seati with CoolTouch to Keep You Cool
- Large Rear Storage Well for Crates, Coolers & Fishing Equipment
- Front Storage Hatch Offers Dry storage
Tarpon 100 pros and cons
Pros
- Versatile and suitable for paddling in a range of calm water environments
- Forgiving design strikes a good balance between glide and maneuverability, with performance characteristics that will grow along with your paddling skills
- Outstanding comfort for most sizes of paddlers
- Great choice for anglers willing to make a few do-it-yourself upgrades to the standard hull
Cons
- Priced somewhat higher than comparable sit-on-top kayaks (although that’s justifiable given the standard accessories)
- You’ll have to scour the used market for a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 kayak—or shop new for its replacement, the Tarpon 105
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