Tarpon 140 vs Tarpon 160i

I am getting another Kayak this weekend , originally I would get Trident 13, but upon reading more, Trident tend to Warp on really hot weather (I still love the rod pod, but if you fish light you dont actually need it), I am down to Tarpon 140 vs 160i, I loved my Ride 135, but its heavy and doesn't track well on the water as good as the others HELP PLEASE...What would you recommend between the 3 (T13 Tarpon 140 and 160i) and why? 5'7" 165 lbs just in case... Thank you!

I can't say anything negative about the 140 other than it is pretty heavy for a yak only 14.5 feet long. The extra weight is from the thick plastic which actually seems to help the paddling speed and handling (through increased hull rigidity).

 I was always wishing I had a 160, but now I'm totally happy with the 140 after paddling it hard (and even losing off the top of the truck once) for 5 years.

My main gripe about he boat I have is the dang rubber hatches. Give me the old ocean kayak hard-shell hatches any day. I think went to a different hatch on the 09 models, Sin Coast has one I believe.

Hi Darius,

I haven't paddled the 140, but I'm really pleased with my 160i. I've been in some fairly rough water and felt safe. My Perception Casters are supposed to be pretty fast for their class, but I rarely get over 3 mph in them. If I hump a little I can get 5+mph out of my 160i, and in ideal conditions cruising at ~4mph is comfortable. The only negative I can think of is the placement of the drain plug -- it's below the water line -- so don't leave it unplugged.

fwiw,

Ben

The 160 goes like a bat out of hell. I've watched many get smaller as the pass me OTW.  I can't speak to the 140. But for my money the rod pod on the T13 makes it a great ocean boat. Just this past Friday I was able to stow my rods AND Keo's. If I hadn't Keo would have lost $300+ of gear. I have never had an issue with my boat warping. I think you just need to be mindful if you leave it laying across a log in 100+ degree heat. If its gonna be a loaner you may want ppl to be able to stow their gear since they may not have the exp on launch/landings.

my .02

Thanks Sean, Ben and Eric, I really love the Rod Pod idea, I really suck on keeping stuffs correctly I will tend to leave like I dont care, warping is the biggest concern, this is not gonna be a loaner yak more likely will become my main yak.. So Keep all your 2 cents coming.. Thanks

Darius, Ive only owned one yak, as i started yaking in late april. I cant speak on any boat other the th OK T13. Its comfortable, stable and you can sit sideways to access the back no prob. I bought it with no rod pod, few months later i installed it my self and love it and use it. Holds rods, gear, bilge pump and what ever else. I have no regrets on my purchase. Although my 2 cents dont mean much as its the only boat ive owned, and im fairly new to yaking.

Warping? Never had that temporary problem with my P13 or P15 and I live in HOT Sacramento. Some rules/suggestions I follow:
*I never like to leave my kayak on the roof of my car in hot, direct sun for more than a few hours at a time
*That said, I have left them on a beach in 100 degree temps all day and have never had any signs of warping
*Warping is caused by having the kayak strapped down way too tight and in hot sun for hours at a time. BTW, if a warp does happen, it's a pretty easy trick to get it back in shape.

Experience has taught me (and echoed here often) to paddle every kayak one is considering. Good luck!

Warping? Never had that temporary problem with my P13 or P15 and I live in HOT Sacramento. Some rules/suggestions I follow:
*I never like to leave my kayak on the roof of my car in hot, direct sun for more than a few hours at a time
*That said, I have left them on a beach in 100 degree temps all day and have never had any signs of warping
*Warping is caused by having the kayak strapped down way too tight and in hot sun for hours at a time. BTW, if a warp does happen, it's a pretty easy trick to get it back in shape.

Experience has taught me (and echoed here often) to paddle every kayak one is considering. Good luck!

jimx200
Thank you for the input, your are right P13 and P15 does not have that issue, I am referring to TRIDENTs Version there are few have experience it please check happened to me forum, again thanks for the info..

I just purchased the new Tarpon 160. Love the new hatch. The slide trace for adjusting rod holders and how fast and effortless it cruises in the water. I have an older 160 I. I did the same thing between the 14 and 16 footer. The weight difference in almost nothing between the two. The 160 has more storage and seems to ride higher in the water to do the extra 2 feet. That is my two cents.

Last time I fished my '09 T140, I easily stored 3 rods (all 7+ft one-piece rods) through the middle hatch...my 2 rods and my friend's rod. Those new hatches are pretty sweet. Plus, the Tarpon paddles much better than the Tridents and the new Prowlers. 

I am still very happy with my T13 but all this talk about the t140 and t160, I may
need to start saving for a new boat.  Anyhow Pat, what is the diameter
of the hatch on the 140? If you can stow a 7ft rod, that is really good.


Jedmo

Darius,
I'm 5'7" and weight 157lbs and yak fish on my T160i. I can only speak for this one since I don't own any other. Luv the boat for its speed otw. I totally feel comfortable on it without the feeling of being unstable even with decent sized swells. My butt gets a bit soaked while fishing but who doesn't and it really doesn't even bother me. Because I'm only a buck fifty I do notice that my drift is faster compared to other heavier guys on other boats. This is only a big problem if the drift is really fast but there are ways to remedy that.

As far as space under the hatch, I break my Wheelez down and can fit the two big wheels inside. The wheels don't fit if i don't break them down. There are plenty of space inside. I have no problem reaching the front hatch, I just have to straddle the boat and move up a bit. You will find that you'll have plenty of space in the cockpit to subdue your lings and giant cabs.

Weight - pretty light for it's length and I can lift the boat up without help onto the car rack of a sedan. I've carried that thing on my shoulder up and down the Bean Hollow trail to the beach from the side of the road on my own.

Like I said... I luv the boat. Test paddle it and others before you decide which one to buy.

Frank

Dont need a rod pod to store gear. Use the front hatch. Those new Orbix hatches on the Wildys are great. my old rubber hatches SUCK!!! Love my T140, but now want a T160 (and a lil 12 for the rivers would be nice  )

they are both great boats. their hull designs are better than any other sot yak. if you want one yak that does it all river to sea, get the 140. if you wanna go fast, get a hobie.

if you wanna go fast, get a hobie.

this is a topic for another thread, but is this statement suggesting that a hobie is faster than a T160?