By Paul Lebowitz

The Wilderness Systems Ride is back, and it’s practically a new boat. The original was appreciated for its stable pontoon style hull. The new Ride 135 takes that concept, tweaks it a bit for more speed, and then adds on an efficient Tarpon-style fishing deck. The overall package is a kayak that exceeds expectations. It is surprisingly nimble, very stable, fishes well, but doesn’t paddle like a barge.

Let’s start with the width (32 inches, wide but not too wide) and weight capacity (400 pounds), because the Ride 135 is aimed at anglers that want more stability or lift than the mainstays of the Tarpon line provide. Wilderness Systems lists the length as 13 feet, 4 inches; the Ride weighs in at 64 pounds.

The noticeably rockered hull pleases the eye and has plenty of buoyancy. It feels absolutely steady on the water and tracks well. The optional factory rudder improves turning responsiveness, but this is a craft that handles well without one. Tracking is good. Although the Ride 135 won’t win any races against its slimmer siblings, paddling it shouldn’t strain most people. It confidently handles sloppy chop.

The ride is dry and the seating position fairly high but not unduly elevated. The stock seatback and pan are nicely padded, comfortable and roomy. A handy mesh storage pocket sits on the back of the seatback.

The deck layout is pure Tarpon, with a big hatch up front, a console ridge in the cockpit, a pair of paddle keepers, adjustable footpegs, and a large tankwell in the stern. The cockpit hatch is tiny, just 6 inches. There’s another behind the seat, a more useful 8 inches. The Angler model comes with a Scotty rod holder on the console and a pair of flushmounts on the deck behind the seat. There’s plenty of room back there for more; room up front too. Custom rigging should be a snap.      

The footpegs are the same uncomfortable design found on Perception’s Search. There are a couple of other commonalities: a cut-out in the tankwell that holds a tackle flat, and a length of bungee up front for securing the tips of fishing rods stashed using the paddle keepers.

Compliments: stable, comfortable cockpit, high capacity but not ponderous, good rigging options, dry, ready to fish from the factory.

Nitpicks: soft plastic cover for bow hatch, cockpit hatch very small, uncomfortable footpegs.