Brands · Bonafide

Bonafide Kayaks: Every Model Compared

SS, RS, SKF, RVR, PWR, P127 and the big XTR platforms. How the Bonafide lineup fits together, from someone who has paddled, stood on and even flipped one.

My time on Bonafide kayaks

The first time I got a Bonafide on the water was in 2017, with the SS127 and SS107. My first impression was comfort: the seat feels like sitting in a recliner in your living room. It tracked straight, got up to speed with little effort, and the secondary stability from that aggressive tri-hull was insane. I felt confident moving around the deck.

Since then I have tested the RS117 prototype at ICAST 2018, stood and fished from the EX123 sit-inside (I am 6 ft 2 in and about 200 lb), and tried a prototype 1100 watt Torqeedo on a Bonafide. I have also had my worst day on the water on one: at ICAST 2023 I went from zero to full throttle on a Bonafide RVR with a Newport NK300 HD, flipped, and sent my phone to the bottom. More on that below, because the lessons matter. Most recently I rode a $25,000 rigged XTR130 and saw the new XTR140P revealed at ICAST 2026.

Some background: Bonafide was founded by Luther Cifers in 2017 and started shipping kayaks in January 2018. In 2019 it merged with Native Watercraft and Liquidlogic, which is why the P127 pedal kayak uses Native’s proven Propel drive.

How to read this page: the boats I have been on are in the video list. The table specs come from Bonafide’s published numbers in my reviews. Full disclosure: I am a Bixpy ambassador, and Bonafide offers Bixpy as one of its motor options.

Which Bonafide is right for you?

  • Classic stand-and-fish paddle kayak: the SS127, or the shorter SS107.
  • Lowest price into a Bonafide: the RS117. It shares hull lines with the SS boats.
  • Windy days, or a dog or kid along: the SKF117 skiff hybrid. Its low freeboard keeps you from getting blown around, and the open deck has room for a passenger.
  • Plan to add a motor: the PWR129 or PWR129 PRO, with stern and center motor mounts.
  • Pedal fishing: the P127 with the Propel drive, or the new XTR140P.
  • Fish it like a small boat: the XTR130 platform, with motor options at the bow, stern or both.

Bonafide paddle kayaks

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Power Links
SS107 10 ft 7 in 34.5 in 75 lb hull 425 lb Paddle Review · Product page
SS127 12 ft 7 in 33.75 in 85 lb hull 475 lb Paddle Review · Product page
RS117 11 ft 7 in 33.5 in 65 lb hull 425 lb Paddle Review · Product page
SKF117 11 ft 7 in 34.5 in 69 lb hull 425 lb Paddle (skiff-style hull) Review · Product page
RVR119 11 ft 9 in 35 in 85 lb hull 425 lb Paddle Review · Product page

Pedal, motor-ready and XTR kayaks

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Power Links
PWR129 12 ft 9 in 35 in 78 lb hull 500 lb Paddle, motor-ready (stern and center) Review · Product page
PWR129 PRO 12 ft 9 in 35 in 78 lb hull 500 lb Paddle, motor-ready (stern and center) Review · Product page
P127 12 ft 7 in 34 in 120 lb fitted 475 lb Propel pedal drive Review · Product page
XTR130 12 ft 7 in 40.5 in 155 lb hull 750 lb Paddle, bow and stern motor ready Review · Product page
XTR140P 14 ft 40 in 170 lb fitted 725 lb Pedal drive option Review · Product page

From the XTR130: it is Bonafide’s big platform, built so you can fish it like a bigger boat and sight fish from up high. You can motorize at the bow, the stern or both, the upper deck comes off with four bolts for a second seat, and there is room up front for a 100 amp hour battery. When I rode a fully rigged one with a 100 lb thrust Power-Pole Move bow motor, they told me to keep it under 10 on my first try. Good advice.

Safety lessons from my Bonafide crash

  • Ease into a new motor. Do not go from zero to full throttle on a cold start. That is how I flipped.
  • Clip the kill switch to yourself, every time.
  • Wear a PFD. A flipped kayak and motor can pass right over you.

Watch the full crash video, and see my best kayak motors guide before you power up a kayak.

My Bonafide videos

mqdefaultSS127 and SS107: my first on-water report2017, on the watermqdefaultRS117 (Rise 117) on-water testICAST 2018, on the watermqdefaultEX123: standing and fishing from a sit-inside2019, on the watermqdefaultA prototype 1100 watt Torqeedo on a Bonafide2019, on the watermqdefaultMy crash on a Bonafide RVR: safety lessonsICAST 2023, on the watermqdefaultXTR130 first look with Bonafide's head of designICAST 2024mqdefaultRiding a $25,000 rigged XTR130ICAST 2025, on the watermqdefaultGarmin Force Current on a BonafideICAST 2025, on the water

I also have videos embedded in my SS127, SKF117, P127 and XTR140P reviews.

Bonafide parts, seats and gear

Seat upgrades, the Captain’s Bridge crossbar, XTR storage, drive parts, Sidekick carts and motor adapters made for Bonafide kayaks.

Bonafide PWR PRO Seat Upgrade KitBonafide PWR PRO Seat Upgrade KitBonafide SS127 Deck Traction Black Accessory PackageBonafide SS127 Deck Traction Black Accessory PackageBonafide Rudder Blade- Tension Adj KnobBonafide Rudder Blade- Tension Adj KnobBonafide Lower Transmission Rebuild KitBonafide Lower Transmission Rebuild KitBerleyPro Native Watercraft/Bonafide Aluminium Upgraded Steering Handle and BushBerleyPro Native Watercraft/Bonafide Aluminium Upgraded Steering Handle and BushBonafide Hi Rise Seat Accessory PackageBonafide Hi Rise Seat Accessory PackageBonafide Sideline Sling Fishing BagBonafide Sideline Sling Fishing BagBonafide XTR130 Computer PlateBonafide XTR130 Computer PlateBonafide Tempress Probax Orthopedic Low-Back SeatBonafide Tempress Probax Orthopedic Low-Back SeatBonafide XTR Under Seat DrawerBonafide XTR Under Seat DrawerBonafide XTR Tool Caddy For Standing PlatformBonafide XTR Tool Caddy For Standing PlatformBonafide XTR Addtional PivotPro Seat for Tandem UseBonafide XTR Addtional PivotPro Seat for Tandem UseCaptain’s Bridge Accessory Mount CrossbarCaptain’s Bridge Accessory Mount CrossbarBonafide Sidekick HD Sand Tires for RVR, SKF, PWR, P127Bonafide Sidekick HD Sand Tires for RVR, SKF, PWR, P127Bonafide Sidekick HD for RVR, SKF, PWR, P127Bonafide Sidekick HD for RVR, SKF, PWR, P127Bixpy ThruHull™ Pod Adapter Bonafide KayaksBixpy ThruHull™ Pod Adapter Bonafide Kayaks

Bonafide FAQ

Are Bonafide kayaks stable enough to stand?

Yes. The SS127 and SS107 have very strong secondary stability from their tri-hull, and I felt confident moving around the deck. I also stood and fished from the EX123 sit-inside at 6 ft 2 in and about 200 lb.

Does Bonafide make a pedal kayak?

Yes. The P127 uses Native Watercraft's Propel pedal drive, and the XTR140P revealed at ICAST 2026 has a pedal drive option.

Which Bonafide is best for a motor?

The PWR129 and PWR129 PRO have stern and center motor mounts. The XTR130 can take a motor at the bow, the stern or both.

Who owns Bonafide kayaks?

Bonafide was founded by Luther Cifers in 2017. In 2019 it merged with Native Watercraft and Liquidlogic.

Keep exploring