Wilderness
Systems Kayaks Reviewed
And you'll be hard-pressed to find a more loyal and satisfied group of paddling enthusiasts on the water.
Pound for pound and buck for buck, the Wilderness Systems kayaks stack up against any other brand, and often outperform boats costing twice as much.
Just as with
any other kayak brand, we have heard a few complaints about WS
boats, mostly regarding seat comfort and the tendency for the
rubber hatch covers on some models to leak or even blow off in a
stiff wind. But these negative comments have been relatively few
and far between, and you'll find Wilderness Systems owners to be a
loyal and happy bunch overall.
Wilderness Systems
-- the company
Wilderness Systems has been around since the mid 1980s, and in
many ways the company is a classic American success story. Started
in a garage by two friends--Andy Zimmerman and John Shepard--the
company quickly became known for its innovative, high-quality,
hand-built composite whitewater kayaks. In the late 1980's, WS
added touring kayaks to their lineup.
The company grew rapidly through the 1990s, and became known for
their innovative designs, high-construction, and beautiful boats.
In 1993, WS
began manufacturing rotomolded plastic boats, which
sold for about half the price of their composite designs, and
sales increased accordingly.
Then they took the plunge into recreational kayaks, and sales
soared again as more and more people were exposed to this rapidly
growing segment of paddle sports. In 1998, WS merged with
legendary canoe manufacturer Mad River Canoe and became the
Confluence Watersports Company. Then the company acquired Wave
Sports, a whitewater kayak manufacturer, and now markets their
whitewater boats under that name. With these moves the company
positioned itself as a leading paddle sport manufacturer, with
hundreds of retailers and thousands of devoted customers world
wide.
The Products
This review is primarly concerned with
Wilderness System's touring
and recreational boats (we will cover the Wave Sports whitewater
kayaks in another review). The WS boats traditionally get high
marks for their maneuverability and wave handling in all types of
surf and weather conditions.
The Pros
My Alto has been particularly stable in all types of conditions. It's shallow "V bottom" hull makes it steady even in rough surf, and many paddlers find these boats great platforms for fishing. The boat glides along with very little effort, and is easy for even novice paddlers to control. Not the fastest kayak on the water, but speed is relatively good for the size and hull design of the boat. And you'll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable boat than the Alto. Its padded, high-back seat is a joy to sit in, and the thigh braces provide a secure fit without being uncomfortable. One nitpick is that there is no front bulkhead on the Alto.
My former Cape Lookout--sold when I moved to Denver--was another very capable kayak. Again, the boat tracks well and is easy to control in almost any conditions. The seat and braces were a comfortable fit, and I had no problems keeping up with my buddies in their sleek Kevlar boats (much to their chagrin!).
If your new to paddling, or looking for a first kayak for your
kids, the Pungo is a great choice. These boats are a little
shorter and slower than most of the other WS models, but they're
very stable and easy for a newbie to jump right in and paddle
away. The large cockpit and comfortable seat are also attractive
features. Some have reported that the Pungo's have a tendency to
track to the right a little, but this is easy to correct with a
little practice.
The Cons
As mentioned
earlier, we have heard some complaints about seat comfort and the
Alto does tend to have a weathercocking problem if used without a
rudder, especially in winds over 20 miles per hour. And the rubber
hatch covers on the Lookout tend to leak, and can even come off in
roll, so you'll want to secure them with a good set of buckle
straps.
Conclusion
These few minor faults aside, we would still highly recommend a
Wilderness Systems kayak to anyone considering a new recreational
or touring boat. The WS boats feature innovative designs,
rock-solid construction, good accessories, and a fit and finish
that's second to none. Click on the link below to find out more
about Wilderness Systems kayaks.
Top Wilderness Systems Kayaks For 2011
|
WS Tarpon 120 Kayak Tarpon! There's more buzz about this boat in kayak fishing circles than any other. It's got it all: comfort, stability, stowage, glide, and good looks. The Tarpon 120 Angler takes advantage of even more storage capacity with new hinged hatch covers on the full-size bow hatch and day hatch and includes a larger tank well with contoured notches for milk crates and bait buckets. Read more... |
|
WS
Pungo 100 Kayak Smaller paddlers will enjoy a smooth, balanced ride on the pond in the Wilderness Systems Pungo 100 Kayak. Ditch your oversized tanker of a boat and hop into the open cockpit of this easy handling and maneuverable boat. The nimble multichine hull design eases turning stroke after stroke, and an extended rear skeg keeps you tracking straight and true. A Phase 3 seat and Slidlock footbrace system mean you can dial in your comfort or make some adjustments when a friend drops by. Read more... |
|
WS
Tempest 170 Kayak Touring in style! Many paddlers consider the Tempest to be the most capable sea kayak Wilderness Systems has ever manufactured. From its ultra-comfortable cockpit to a well-mannered hull design that behaves itself in conditions calm or chaotic, this boat lets you spend your time refining your skills and having more fun instead of fighting to stay upright or on course. Phase3 expedition outfitting allows you to set up your seat to precisely fit your body type. Read more... |
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