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Wilderness Systems Kayaks: Every Model Compared

Tactical Pro, Recon, Radar, A.T.A.K., Tarpon and the Pungo and Tsunami recreational boats. How the lineup fits together, from someone who owns and rigged a Tactical Pro.

Why I own a Wilderness Systems

The Tactical Pro 128 is my favorite kayak to rig so far, and I own one. I first rode the prototype on the water at ICAST 2024. I am 6 ft 2 in and a little over 200 lb, and this kayak is a beast. Most powered kayaks have a V hull and roll on the keel line when you turn. This one has a semi catamaran bow and stays flat through tight turns. When the production boat showed up by semi truck, I added the peel and stick EVA deck foam, bolted a transom plate to the bow base so I could run my AutoBoat GPS head, ran a Newport NT300 on the stern, and took it shark fishing. I can walk all over it and rock it without feeling like I will fall.

Before that, at ICAST 2019, I pedaled the Recon 120 and paddled the Patrol 120 on the water, and I have looked over the Tarpon, Recon and Patrol lines and Wilderness Systems’ crate and livewell accessories at past shows.

Some background: Wilderness Systems was founded in 1986 in North Carolina. It is part of Confluence Outdoor, based in Greenville, South Carolina, which also owns Perception.

How to read this page: my first-hand time is in the videos below. Table specs come from Wilderness Systems’ published numbers in my reviews. Disclosure: WattCycle, whose battery I run in my Tactical Pro, sponsors the channel.

Which Wilderness Systems kayak is right for you?

  • A motor platform you can stand and walk around on: the Tactical Pro 128.
  • Pedal fishing: the Recon 120 (or 120 HD), or a Radar with the Helix PD pedal drive.
  • Start with a paddle, add pedal or motor later: the Radar 115 or 135. The Helix PD pedal drive and Helix MD motor drive are both optional.
  • Classic sit-on-top that does a bit of everything: the Tarpon 105, 120 or 140.
  • No room for a hard kayak: the iA.T.A.K. 110 inflatable.
  • Relaxed paddling and touring: the Pungo, Aspire and Tsunami sit-insides, or the Pamlico 135T tandem.

Tactical Pro 128

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Power Links
Tactical Pro 128 12 ft 8 in 38 in 158 lb 800 lb per my review (the 2024 prototype was quoted at 600 lb) Paddle, bow and stern motor ready Review · Product page

What I like after rigging mine: it comes pre-plumbed with a breaker and an Anderson connector, so the battery and motor just plug in. The stern hatch takes a 100 amp hour battery, the bow motor stows off to the side and out of the way of your fish finder, and a retractable skeg stops the stern from swinging on straight runs. It is the easiest kayak to rig I have used. See my full Tactical Pro rigging.

Pedal and motor drive kayaks

The Helix PD is Wilderness Systems’ propeller pedal drive with forward and reverse. The Helix MD is the motor drive option for the same boats.

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Power Links
Recon 120 12 ft 2 in 38 in 115 lb without drive 450 lb Helix PD pedal, paddle or motor Review · Product page
Recon 120 HD 12 ft 2 in 38 in 122 lb with drive 450 lb Helix PD pedal, paddle or motor Review · Product page

Pedal and motor versions sold as packages, plus the drives themselves:

Wilderness Systems Radar 115 Pedal Drive KayakWilderness Systems Radar 115 Pedal Drive KayakWilderness Systems Radar 135 Pedal Drive KayakWilderness Systems Radar 135 Pedal Drive KayakWilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 120 Motor Drive KayakWilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 120 Motor Drive KayakWilderness Systems Helix PD Pedal DriveWilderness Systems Helix PD Pedal DriveWilderness Systems Helix MD Motor DriveWilderness Systems Helix MD Motor Drive

Fishing paddle kayaks

Model Length Width Weight Capacity Power Links
Tarpon 105 10 ft 6 in 32 in 57.5 lb 325 lb Paddle, rudder-ready Review · Product page
Tarpon 120 12 ft 3 in 31 in 63 lb 350 lb Paddle Review · Product page
Tarpon 140 14 ft 28 in 68 lb 375 lb Paddle, rudder compatible Review · Product page
Radar 115 11 ft 8 in 34.5 in 85 lb 450 lb Paddle (Helix pedal and motor optional) Review · Product page
Radar 135 13 ft 6 in 34 in 90 lb 475 lb Paddle (pedal and motor optional) Review · Product page
A.T.A.K. 120 12 ft 3 in 35 in 86 lb 400 lb Paddle, motor ready Review · Product page
iA.T.A.K. 110 (inflatable) 11 ft 38 in 44 lb 650 lb Paddle Review · Product page

Recreational and touring kayaks

Sit-inside Pungo and Aspire boats for relaxed paddling, Tsunami touring kayaks with or without a rudder, and the Pamlico tandem.

Wilderness Systems Pungo 105 KayakWilderness Systems Pungo 105 KayakWilderness Systems Pungo 120 KayakWilderness Systems Pungo 120 KayakWilderness Systems Pungo 125 KayakWilderness Systems Pungo 125 KayakWilderness System Aspire 105 KayakWilderness System Aspire 105 KayakWilderness Systems Pamlico 135T Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Pamlico 135T Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 125 KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 125 KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 140 Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 140 Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 140 w/ Rudder Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 140 w/ Rudder Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 145 Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 145 Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 145 w/ Rudder Recreational KayakWilderness Systems Tsunami 145 w/ Rudder Recreational Kayak

My Wilderness Systems videos

mqdefaultTactical Pro 128 prototype on the waterICAST 2024, on the watermqdefaultMy Tactical Pro: rigging it and a shark trip2025, my own boatmqdefaultMy Tactical Pro: battery, GPS motor and live sonar2026, my own boatmqdefaultPedaling the Recon 120 and paddling the Patrol 120ICAST 2019, on the watermqdefaultTarpon, Recon and Patrol overview2019mqdefaultWilderness Systems crate, livewell and accessoriesICAST 2017

Paddles, crate and cart

Wilderness Systems paddles from the Origin up to the Apex Carbon, plus the Kayak Krate and Heavy Duty Kayak Kart.

Wilderness Systems Apex Carbon Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Apex Carbon Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Apex Carbon Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Apex Carbon Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Tarpon Carbon Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Tarpon Carbon Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Alpha Glass Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Alpha Glass Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Apex Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Apex Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Pungo Carbon Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Pungo Carbon Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Tarpon Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Tarpon Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Alpha Carbon Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Alpha Carbon Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Pungo Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Pungo Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Origin Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Origin Glass Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Origin Glass Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Origin Glass Angler Kayak PaddleWilderness Systems Kayak KrateWilderness Systems Kayak KrateWilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak KartWilderness Systems Heavy Duty Kayak Kart

Rigging a Wilderness Systems boat? See my GPS trolling motor guide and kayak battery guide.

Wilderness Systems FAQ

Is the Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro stable enough to stand?

Yes. I own one, and I can walk all over it and rock it without feeling like I will fall. The semi catamaran bow keeps it flat through sharp motor turns.

Can you pedal a Wilderness Systems Radar?

Yes. The Radar 115 and 135 take the optional Helix PD pedal drive or the Helix MD motor drive, and both are sold as pedal drive packages too.

What is the difference between Helix PD and Helix MD?

The Helix PD is a propeller pedal drive with forward and reverse. The Helix MD is the motor drive version for the same boats.

Who makes Wilderness Systems kayaks?

Wilderness Systems was founded in 1986 in North Carolina and is part of Confluence Outdoor in Greenville, South Carolina, which also owns Perception.

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