The Tempest
embodies everything I love about Wilderness Systems and everything that I don’t
like. For the money, it is really hard
to beat this kayak. It is a lean, fast,
responsive sea kayak that comes with all the bells and whistles for a very low
price. (Currently the list price is
around $1600 but no one pays that as you
can always find them for 20% off). It is
16.5’ long (also comes in a 17’ version), 21.5” wide and comes with adjustable
thigh braces, removable hip braces, 3 bulkheads, a day hatch, full deck rigging
and an adjustable skeg. All of this
makes for a serious sea kayak. It has a
medium amount of rocker so turns can be tough, but advanced paddlers will find
that it leans very nicely so carving a turn is no problem. It has a very narrow shape and cuts through
waves effortlessly. I paddled mine for a
week on the Erie Canal and found it to be comfortable and fast.
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| Tempest 165 Kayak |
Now the down
side… As with all plastic kayaks from
Wilderness Systems, the plastic is very flexible. This makes the kayak susceptible to dents and
the caulking around the bulkheads is constantly in need of repair. The adjustable thigh braces allow for a truly
custom fit, but they stick out into the cockpit and I keep scraping my shins on
them when I get into the boat. And like
most plastic kayaks, it is heavy. The
Tempest tips the scales at 55 lbs.
Overall, I
would suggest that you should put the Tempest on your list of possible
kayaks. You should also look at the
Capella from P&H which is not as sleek and fast and is a bit more
expensive, but is built from better plastic and has better bulkheads. If you want a fast, sleek, maneuverable
kayak, it will be hard to beat the Tempest without spending a lot more money.
