Motorized Kayaks · Fishing
I’ve stood up and fished from plenty of kayaks over the years, and most of them make me pick my moments. The Bonafide XTR130 is different.
I’ve stood up and fished from plenty of kayaks over the years, and most of them make me pick my moments. The Bonafide XTR130 is different. It was built with bass boat thinking from the start, so the whole deck feels like a place you can actually walk on, not just sit in. If that sounds like what you’ve been waiting for, check the current price here.
This is a big, serious platform. At 12 feet 7 inches long and 40.5 inches wide with a 750 pound capacity, it is made for anglers who carry a lot of gear, bigger anglers who need real stability, or folks who want to bring a buddy along with the optional tandem seat kit. Let’s get into what it’s like to actually use.
Who the XTR130 Is For
This kayak is for the angler who rigs heavy and fishes like they mean it. If you run a fish finder, forward-facing sonar, a trolling motor, and enough tackle to stock a small store, the XTR130 was made for you. It also fits tournament bass anglers, coastal sight fishermen, and anyone who wants to stand and cast all day without wobbling.
It’s not for the paddler who wants a light, simple boat to toss on the roof of a sedan. At 155 pounds bare hull (170 fully rigged), you will want a trailer, a truck bed, or a solid cart, and probably a buddy at the ramp.
Stability: Built Like a Dock
Stability is the whole point of this hull. The wide, flat standing platform is elevated and open, and the 24 by 65 inch floor plan gives you room to step around your gear like you would on a skiff. Bonafide rates stability so high on this boat that it almost looks like a typo, and once you’re standing on it you get it. This is the kind of kayak you can pitch a jig from while standing at the front, turn around to grab a rod, and never feel the boat complain.
Comfort: The PivotPro Swivel Seat
The seat is the PivotPro swivel seat, and it changes how you fish. Being able to spin around to reach the tank well behind you, face your partner in tandem mode, or turn into a cast is one of those features you don’t appreciate until you’ve had it for a full season. The seat sits high, which helps your casting vision and keeps your back happier on long days.
Storage and Rigging: A Tinkerer’s Dream
This is where the XTR130 really earns its money. PowerLink ports run wiring cleanly through the hull for motors and electronics, so you’re not fighting spaghetti cables. There are multiple battery storage options, tons of gear track, horizontal rod storage, and a tank well that swallows crates and coolers. 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. It’s set up from the factory for both bow and stern motors, and accessories like the Captain’s Bridge (for dual graphs) and Wizard Foot Control Steering bolt right on. If you love rigging, this boat is a blank canvas that wants to be built up.
Drive Performance: Paddle Now, Motor Later
From the factory the XTR130 is a paddle kayak, and honestly paddling it is fine for a boat this size, but it is not a speed demon. The real story is the motorization-first design. Most owners I know end up adding a stern trolling motor or a bow mount, and the hull handles the weight and thrust without getting squirrely. Add a rudder or the Wizard steering and you get hands-free control that holds you on a spot while you cast.
Honest Drawbacks
It’s heavy, it’s wide, and it’s expensive. Transport is the number one complaint, because 170 rigged pounds is a lot to load solo. The width also means it won’t glide across a flat like a narrow touring hull. And since there’s no pedal drive from the factory, you’re either paddling, adding a motor, or both. Know that going in and you won’t be disappointed.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 ft 7 in |
| Width | 40.5 in |
| Hull weight | 155 lbs (170 lbs fully rigged) |
| Capacity | 750 lbs |
| Drive type | Paddle; bow and stern motor compatible |
Bonafide XTR130 Fishing Kayak FAQ
Can you stand and fish in the Bonafide XTR130?
Yes. The elevated standing platform and wide open deck were designed exactly for that, and it’s one of the most stable standing platforms in a kayak this size.
Does the XTR130 come with a motor?
No. It’s paddle powered from the factory, but the deck is built to accept bow and stern motors with clean wiring through the PowerLink ports.
How much weight can the XTR130 carry?
Bonafide lists a 750 pound capacity, which covers the kayak, paddler, and gear. It handles big anglers, heavy rigs, and even a second angler with the tandem seat kit.
Is the XTR130 hard to transport?
It can be. The bare hull is 155 pounds, so most owners use a trailer, truck bed, or a kayak cart rather than cartopping solo.
Where to Buy
If the Bonafide XTR130 Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
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