NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Wilderness Systems => Topic started by: ALPINEX on January 02, 2017, 09:59:02 PM
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Right place, right time! Went to my old house today to retrieve my bed cover, and my old neighbor stopped by. Had a sweet Tarpon 160i on the top of his truck. Anyway, I looked it over real quick and I took it home for less than $100!
I got it home and cleaned up, and it's actually pretty sweet. It's obviously well used, and had been outside for a couple of years, so it's got some scratches, but the hatches and hull don't leak and it's straight, so no complaints from me!
I was just wondering what seat people recommend for it, and if the WS rudder fits this kayak or if I should be looking elsewhere? I thought about pulling the seat out of my Thresher and seeing if I could retrofit it somehow before dropping the cash on one, anyone have experience with that? Also any way to tell what year?
Anyway, here she is, will make a great second kayak, and I'm stoked! Here's a pic after cleaning.
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Looks like a speedster. Nice buy :smt003
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Last 2 digits of the serial number are the year. Serial number is located on the rear side of the kayak near where the rudder would mount. It should also be scribed either on the side of the console, or possibly inside the front hatch on the bottom of the hull. I believe that kayak was made from 2006-2009. The Thresher seat will be too wide to fit most likely. You can get some nice aftermarket seats from various places that will work well. You can also get a sticky back seat pad from ACK. Rudder kit: http://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/products/xl-rudder-kit-–-solo-kayaks. If you need handles or hatches get them here: www.Harmonygear.com
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What a steal of a deal!
Cheers
Nick
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thats an aweome deal!
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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Congrats on the nice score!
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would also recommend some 303 if you haven't yet, especially if it sat outside for a while.
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Thanks guys! I'll definitely be grabbing a rudder and seat, and will get some 303 too. It doesn't seem brittle or anything, so I think it's in pretty good shape.
I'm going to paddle it this weekend in suisun before I commit to ordering a bunch of stuff for it.
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Nice score! That thing looks like a fast boat.
What is 303 that everyone is mentioning?
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Nice score! That thing looks like a fast boat.
What is 303 that everyone is mentioning?
https://www.amazon.com/303-30313-CSR-Protectant-Trigger-Sprayer/dp/B00KN0UOEE
Its a UV protectant. Good for poly plastics. I usually do it once a season. They also sell a "marine" version but not sure what difference it makes. I always just get the regular.
https://www.amazon.com/303-30306-Protectant-Trigger-Sprayer/dp/B0004ELKC4/
It's good for lots of things as well - rubber gaskets on kayaks can become brittle over time. a little bit of 303 can help keep them pliable.
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Well, I couldn't stand it. Grabbed a rudder kit, seat, anchor and rod holders for it. They'll be here this week and then (in theory) a friend and I are going to take both of my kayaks out this weekend chasing sturgeon. We'll see how he feels when he finds out it's raining, but I can't wait to try this thing out, I've only every really paddled my Thresher for any extended time.
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It's good for lots of things as well - rubber gaskets on kayaks can become brittle over time. a little bit of 303 can help keep them pliable.
Kokatat also recommends using it to keep the gaskets of your drysuit in good condition.
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Thresher is a bit more stable. When you get on this it will feel "slick", but 10-15 mins of paddling you will love it.
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Sweet deal, that's the feel I'm hoping for. I love my Thresher, but sometimes it feels a little bulky both in transport and on the water, the Tarpon is easier to carry around despite the extra length. I'm hoping this one will force me to carry less gear since it doesn't have the on deck storage of the Thresher.
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Super score. Tarpon 160i is my favorite kayak of all the kayaks I've owned.
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Super score. Tarpon 160i is my favorite kayak of all the kayaks I've owned.
Sorry I sold your kayak Ariel. I had too many and a few had to go. Still have your paddle though.
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Well my fishing buddy got scared of the rain this morning, so after milling around the house bored until about noon I found a break in the weather and went for it in the tarpon! So with weather warnings blaring on my radio, I shoved out of downtown Suisun. I normally limit the wind I fish in, but I knew it was going to blow me back to the dock so I felt ok.
Traveled light, one rod, one swimbait, rain gear and my radio. Trolled out and hopped the bank into duck slough for an explore. Wound up doing only 3.2 miles, but in the weather I feel good about it. The kayak is fast, way faster than the Thresher, or at least it feels that way. I spent some time moving around on it, and while it's less stable than the Thresher, it's still a very stable boat in my opinion. I really am shocked at the speed and tracking (rudder isn't even installed yet!) as well as how easy it is to transport. The wind didn't bother it much, and I had a blast just paddling it around. Then came the wind and pouring rain again, so I headed back and found it a place in the garage!
Over all I'm stoked with it, it's got it's pro's and con's to the Thresher of course, but I bought it as a loaner kayak, and now I see myself taking it out as often if not more than the Thresher!
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I use my 160 more than anything I have in all conditions. It is my #1 boat.