Pedal Kayaks · Fishing
The Wilderness Systems Radar 115 is the Swiss army knife of fishing kayaks. It is a true tri-powered boat: paddle it, add the Helix pedal drive, or bolt on the Helix motor drive.
The Wilderness Systems Radar 115 is the Swiss army knife of fishing kayaks. It is a true tri-powered boat: paddle it, add the Helix pedal drive, or bolt on the Helix motor drive. At 11 feet 8 inches and 85 pounds, it gives you big-boat stability in a package that still fits on most car roofs.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
Wilderness Systems built the Radar around their S.M.A.R.T. hull design, which balances stability, maneuverability, and tracking. The result is a boat that stands and paddles better than most kayaks that try to do everything.
Who the Radar 115 Is For
The Radar 115 is for the angler who does not want to be locked into one propulsion style. Maybe you paddle small creeks in spring, pedal big lakes in summer, and want motor power for fall tournaments. Instead of buying three boats, you buy one hull and add drives as your budget allows. It suits lakes, rivers, and inshore saltwater equally well.
Stability and Standing
The flat standing platform and 34.5-inch width make the Radar 115 one of the easiest boats to stand in at this length. The chined hull gives you solid primary stability for standing and good secondary stability when you lean into a turn. There is even a stand assist strap to help you get up. I find it confidence inspiring in calm to moderate water, though in heavy chop you will want to sit.
Comfort and Seat
The AirPro MAX seat is genuinely one of the best kayak seats made. It slides fore and aft, adjusts high and low, and the mesh fabric keeps you cool while the foam supports your lower back. You can also flip it upright to open the full standing platform. After a full day of fishing, this seat is the difference between driving home happy and driving home stiff.
Storage and Rigging
The Radar’s deck is a rigger’s dream: expansive SlideTrax rails for no-drill mounting, a rectangular center hatch for tackle within arm’s reach, an Orbix bow hatch for dry storage, and a big tank well out back. The Flex Pod system is the standout feature: a removable console that holds your fish finder, battery, and transducer, or swaps out for the Helix pedal drive. For the battery, I recommend the WattCycle 12V 100Ah mini LiFePO4 battery with Bluetooth — it runs most 12V trolling motors up to 55lb thrust plus a fish finder, and it’s compact and light. You can pull your whole electronics setup off the boat in seconds.
Paddle, Pedal, and Motor Performance
Paddled by hand, the Radar 115 tracks well and turns responsively thanks to the defined keel and rockered chines. It is not the fastest 11’8″ boat, but it is efficient enough for covering a few miles. The optional Helix pedal drive deploys from the Flex Pod and gives you hands free propulsion. Add the Helix motor drive and you have a quiet electric rig that can push you across big water. The retractable rudder option helps with tracking when it is windy.
Honest Drawbacks
At 85 pounds, the Radar 115 is not light, and once you add a drive and gear it gets heavy to load solo. The base price covers the kayak only, so by the time you add the Helix pedal or motor drive, you are in premium price territory. The Flex Pod is clever but adds complexity: keep the seals clean and check them before every trip. Some anglers also find the bow a little high in wind.
What Reviewers Say
Chad Hoover of KayakBassinTV put together a full walkthrough of the Radar 115 when it launched, highlighting the tri-powered design and the Flex Pod system. It also won Coolest Product of the Show in the kayak fishing category at PADDLEexpo 2016, which says a lot about how fresh the design felt at the time.
Quick Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 11’8″ |
| Width | 34.5″ |
| Weight | 85 lbs |
| Capacity | 450 lbs |
| Drive type | Paddle (Helix pedal and motor drives optional) |
Wilderness Systems Radar 115 Fishing Kayak FAQ
What does tri-powered mean?
It means the Radar 115 can be paddled, pedaled with the optional Helix pedal drive, or powered with the optional Helix motor drive. You choose your propulsion.
Does the Radar 115 come with a pedal drive?
No. The base boat paddles, and the Helix pedal and motor drives are sold separately and install through the Flex Pod.
Can you stand in the Radar 115?
Yes. The flat deck, 34.5-inch width, and stand assist strap make it one of the best standing platforms in its size class.
How heavy is the Radar 115?
It weighs 85 pounds, which is about average for a feature-rich 11’8″ fishing kayak but heavy enough that a cart helps.
Where to Buy
If the Wilderness Systems Radar 115 Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Wilderness Systems website for the Wilderness Systems Radar 115.
Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing. Also check out our reviews of the Wilderness Systems Recon 120 Fishing Kayak with AirPro ACES Seat, and Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Kayak.
