Wilderness Systems Radar 115 and 135 Walkthrough - Fishing Kayaks

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Front to back walkthrough of the Wilderness Systems Radar 135 and 115 fishing kayaks with a discussion of the helix pedal drive and the helix MD motor drive by Torqeedo.This is one of the many fishing kayaks I am considering buying in 2018. The pedal drive with its zero draft option attracted me to this model.
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The Kayak Hacks Fishing channel covers kayak, wading, shoreline, spin and fly fishing. It features gear mods to make kayak fishing more comfortable, efficient and enjoyable. Also, I share many tips, tricks and "how to's" for both spin and fly fishing regardless of whether you are fishing from a boat or on your feet. Please subscribe! Thanks!
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27 янв 2018

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Комментарии : 95

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

For my reviews of other kayaks, check this playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PL8egn41J7Go8Az2TP08DhoESCsAmdACVE

@MajScrewUp 6 лет назад

Love my Radar 115. I have had it about a year and a half. It is my third boat and the best so far.

@AnglrTech 6 лет назад

We want one!! Great video!

@wesleyhackney 6 лет назад

Thanks for the in depth walk thru. I like the peddle drive option to pop it up out of water looks easy . I've been paddling a Wilderness Systems Ride 115 for 4 years looking at a peddle drive this one looks good. Thanks

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thanks! Appreciate it!

@code1outdoors311 6 лет назад

That's a nice kayak. Lots of options and storage.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

It is making my decision harder on what to get

@AliexFolgueira 6 лет назад

I see the titan! 😁

@kayakrexadventure2308 6 лет назад

Ok I find out to find a squid on garming strike 4, we dont use chirp low sensitive until 40 m deep and 63% on the low sensitivity. My favorite you tube man. All the best from Greece.

@huntingandfishingtolive7088 6 лет назад

Great video!!

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thanks! Appreciate it!

@DLoh2o1 6 лет назад

Good stuff Steve! The spreadsheet really helps narrow ones priorities. Looking forward to your final list and decision. Thanks much!

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

I will post the video that narrows the choices down to two on Feb 7. This is hard!

@DLoh2o1 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing a drop dead date...perfect...I'm going to be traveling to Austin, TX that week and demoing my three pics.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

My top two are the Hobie Outback and the Coosa FD - check those out and let me know what you think.

@DLoh2o1 6 лет назад

Those two along with the 135 Radar are still on my spreadsheet

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

The Radar was the third option when I boiled everyhing down.

@davidcortez5614 6 лет назад

Very informative video.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

I really appreciate that! I'll work even harder!

@davidcortez5614 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing when doing my research, videos like this would have helped a lot. I already pulled the trigger on a 2017 X-factor, but mostly because I got a great deal (end of the year and all). Best of luck on your selection.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Good job getting the deal. It seems like all the shops comply with the industry pricing recommendations from the manufacturers. You need to wait for the authorized sale or luck into it.

@great0789 6 лет назад

Perception Pescador Pilot 12.0 is great for diy guys such as yourself. Got mine with the drive for $1499 on discount at Academy. May still be that price online with them. Has the same drive as the one in this video but attaches and retracts different. A solid design.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

So many things to consider!

@jeffjackson5331 6 лет назад

You are very welcome sir. Check out their videos. They sound very well designed and purpose built for fishing. Maybe worth getting a closer look. It has an access hatch on the rear to provide access to wires and nuts if you choose to go with a torquedo, rudder, power pole and etc.

@ratherbfishing455 6 лет назад

Nice video!!! My legs seemed too short for long distances. It was fast! It did track well when paddling.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thanks for the feedback as a current owner!

@ratherbfishing455 6 лет назад

+Kayak Hacks Fishing I tried it out at a demo day in Austin, Tx.

@greygoose117 6 лет назад

Did you adjust/trim the seat? It slides a long ways back.

@iowamatt2519 6 лет назад

I have the Radar 135, fastest paddling boat I've ever run. Also have all Lure 10, lure 135. The Radar lets me keep up with my wife in her Pungo 120, which is a lot less work when u are fishing and your partner isn't. Very stable, great seat as well

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thanks for the recommendations!

@The1700Rider 6 лет назад

Mine is a Wilderness Tarpon 130X. It has the same fish finder pod as that one. I really like that I can take my fish finder and battery out as a unit. I have rigged a charging connection on mine. Once inside I unplug the fish finder and plug in the charger. I could probably do the same in my SUV about so far haven't had the need to. As a side note Shumacher makes nice little maintainer model SC1. Even though it says maintainer on it, it does charge as well. I got it at Walmart for about 10 bucks. Works well.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

That pod was sweet. On my old Native, it was a huge hassle to unplug and remove the fishfinder. This feature is something the Coosa and other kayaks I am considering do not have.

@greygoose117 6 лет назад

The pod is $100, not $30. If he’s selling them for $30, then I need 3! lol

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Send him an email! lol

@toddsmith3002 6 лет назад

Steve, the wilderness air pro seat has three positions high, low, and tilted back check the spread sheet I think it is wrong also check out the A.T.A. K. 120 & 140 more room and storage available in them

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thank you very much for seeing that error! Geez... I discussed that with Chris when he was doing the walk through! I fixed the spreadsheet!

@davidmagnuson1428 6 лет назад

Steve, I tried the Wilderness Radar 135. I really liked the way it tracked in the wind (one of the best) - I was paddling without a rudder and didn't try it with a rudder and the pedal option (wasn't out yet at the time). The problem I had with the Radar was the same I had with the Attack but I don't think you will have that issue - since I'm 6'5" 300 lbs., I found it very stable but because it's gunnel is cut low (which is probably why it performs so well in the wind), the water was coming in through all the scuppers while I'm sitting (but was still very stable). It's probably a great kayak option for anyone 250lbs. or less.

@greygoose117 6 лет назад

David Magnuson - if you don’t have any scupper plugs in the kayak, OF COURSE water is gonna come up through the holes! I have an atak 140 with every scupper hole plugged... BONE DRY ride. Weight capacity on radar 135 is 475 lbs and on atak 140 is 550 lbs. If you’re 300 lbs, you shouldn’t have had any problems there. Either one of those yaks are more than capable of getting the job done. Try scupper plugs next time...

@davidmagnuson1428 6 лет назад

My only point is there are SOT kayak options for Big Guys, where water will not flood the scupper holes while sitting still or paddling / pedaling slowly on calm water - ex. Predator PDL / Big Rig / Coosa HD / Coosa FD / Titan / Eddyline C-135, etc... Don't get me wrong, I loved the 135 and Attack 140 for the way they tracked in wind and will give them serious consideration if I can ever get back to my 20's weight of 250ish... :). BTW, this not attack against Wilderness, Jackson did the same thing with the Mayfly - lower gunnels - better wind resistance - but water will flood the scupper holes - still very stable. I'm not going to pay $1500+ for a kayak that I have a limiting factor like plugging the scuppers to stay dry only to now not have a self-bailing option on a SOT.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thank you for those key points. I am only 175 right now and 5'9" but you make a great point for sizing the kayak to your size/weight.

@MudDuckFishing 6 лет назад

I may be a bit biased since I own the Coosa FD, but if I were sneaking up on reds in the shallows and had to push that pedal drive up it seems very loud and also it being up so high in the up position seems like it would get in the way.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

How's the Coosa working for you in the shallows? Right now, it is in my top 3 candidates.

@MudDuckFishing 6 лет назад

Amazing, especially when it comes to being worry free. I can spend more time looking ahead for fish rather than what my prop may run over. It really shines the the shallow position as well. Say you are in merky water and you get the random oyster even though the rest of the water is obstruction free you still won’t have to worry. I did a video on how easy it is to change the pitch if you need to as well. Right now I am using aggressive setting and it rips through current with not much more effort than medium. I’m 235lbs + 25ish in gear and I can get pretty shallow and still use my pedals.

@MudDuckFishing 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing Also it paddles like a dream when you need to

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

thank you very much for confirming a key aspect of my decision process. I think I am down to doing the test drive on the Coosa and one of the Hobies. I run into oysters all the time and it would kill me to hear the crunch of the drive hitting the bed... or embedding itself in the mud.

@jeffjackson5331 6 лет назад

Chad Hoover from the “Chad Hoover” youtube channel has done several videos using that kayak. He has one that really talks about all of its features.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thanks - I'll check it. I am leaving no stone unturned.

@jeffjackson5331 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing your welcome bud.

@Internetpilot 6 лет назад

Seems like the best deal going in pedal kayaks at the moment. It's nice that for those who don't have an unlimited budget, this could be purchased (and used) in stages -- buy the kayak first and then buy a drive option later. The drive system is by far the best design in the industry for protecting the prop, even over Hobie's system. I'm a fan of Wilderness Systems -- both of my kayaks are their lesser brand, Perception. However, I'm glad to see that most of what I consider to be bad design decisions (molded in rod holders, screw hatches, etc.) aren't on the WS models. I am a little disappointed that they went with molded in side handles, though. I actually installed the usual canvas/rubber handles on my Perception kayak because the molded in side handles are just about useless for anything other than pooling water, fish slime, etc. One question I have, is if you decide to never buy a drive system, it's it possible to install a rudder that is foot controlled? If you're only paddling a hand controlled rudder wouldn't be very useful. Thanks for the video!

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

thanks for the thoughtful input to my purchase decision. Wilderness has this video on doing an install - it may work for your application - www.wildernesssystems.com/us/experience/faq/content/rudder-installation-guide-0

@greygoose117 6 лет назад

You should be able to just buy the rudder kit, it controls with the foot petals in a push left right fashion to turn. Just installed this on my atak 140

@Internetpilot 6 лет назад

This kayak might not be exactly rudder ready for a foot steer rudder since it's mainly designed to be pedal/motor powered. It's probably doable, but it might require a custom/creative install. Running the cables up to the foot rests might interfere with those handy side storage compartments.

@jeremypierce1607 6 лет назад

The price of the pedal drive alone for that boat is almost as much as the Pescador Pilot that has almost the same drive. Also I would worry too much about the seat pressure warping that track when standing and sitting, especially for fly fishing or in marshes.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Great point on the track - thanks for seeing that.

@mikelusML 6 лет назад

Nice video, any thoughts on the overall quality vs the coosa fd? I’m a long time WS owner, but I have my eye on the Jackson.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Right now, for where I fish, the Jackson Coosa is the leading candidate. The flex drive feature for shallow water back in the brackish marshes is compelling. The price difference, once fully outfitted, is not much different between the two. Although just my impression without actually putting the Radar in the water was that the pedal drive seemed more fragile. If you have a feel for that, I'd appreciate the feedback. I loved the ability to tap the drive and have it extract up on the Radar. In terms of the kayaks themselves, I did not see any difference in the actual hull quality. I think all these HDPE boats are pretty much the same with the hull design being the distinguishing feature. Hull equates to stability and both have been designed to ensure that feature.

@mikelusML 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing Thanks for the response, I’ve been paddling for 20+ years and now looking to buy my first pedal kayak. It’s difficult finding unbiased opinions, your comparison videos have been great.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

lol... when I am about to spend $3,000 of my own money, you bet I am careful!! Easy to like something when it is given to you! I am going to make my decision in mid-February and will do a video walking through my logic.

@kevinwilkinson5538 6 лет назад

Wilderness systems has a wealth of seat accessories for the radar. Also, the motor drive does not come with the rudder system.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

thanks for the additional info!

@greygoose117 6 лет назад

Kevin Wilkinson I don’t think the pedal drive does either

@kevinwilkinson5538 6 лет назад

The pedal drive comes with a rudder and a steering handle. If you get the motor you will have to purchase the foot controlled rudder. Picked up a Radar 135 last summer and absolutely love it. I would highly recommend it.

@kevinwilkinson5538 6 лет назад

If you are ever in Raleigh, NC I’m happy to let you demo my Radar 135.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thank you for the offer

@fishingwcp 6 лет назад

Do u discount the pedals??

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

You would have to call the store. I am not affiliated with it.

@stevekistler8970 6 лет назад

Steve, I think your spreadsheet is interesting but probably more confusing than helpful. The thing is that not all those factors are equal. It seems like all these kayaks are generally fishable. The big differences come down to the drives, the kitted out price, and how easy they are to handle out of the water. For your type of fishing only 2 types of drive offer shallow water use. The mirage and the flex drive. I haven't used a mirage, but I wonder how hard or easy it is to use in shallow water. The fd gives you true shallow drive. The others have to be stowed in some fashion. That leaves price and handling. The Coosa is expensive but comes nearly completely kitted out. The Compass would be close by the time you upgrade to the reversible mirage drive and kitted out the rest. So we are left with weight. The Coosa is heavy and that is its biggest drawback. So how big a deal is that for you?

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

You are right - especially about the fully kitted price. The spreadsheet is a summary of everything anyone would be interested in (I wanted to make is useful to others facing the same decision). After I make my decision, I will have a totally different layout of the spreadsheet that weights the key factors I care about. For example, a cup holder is not a significant decision factor... neither is an open bow compartment... to me, anyway. I will boil it down from the 30 items on the sheet now to maybe 10. I will score each of the top 10 factors based on how well that boat meets my personal needs and see how it shakes out. Right now, I think it is down to the Coosa and one of the Hobies. I'll talk through my final logic in a "decision" video before I pull the string - that should get some interesting comments!

@retnav92 6 лет назад

Nice looking rig. Looking at the size of the front hatch, I don't think one would be able to get any rods down through there for storing/transporting them in the hull, unless they're fairly short and flexible rods. Not sure about the functionality of how the pedal drive system raises. Seems noisy, and too many steps to get it out of the way, especially if fishing weedy areas, and having to clear the prop a lot.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

The one in the vid is the short model - the 115. If go with with the Radar, I would get the 135. I share your concerns on the pedal drive and have looked at other reviews of it.

@retnav92 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing: Seeing where you fish, and distance(s) covered on the water, I would go with the 135 also. Just watched a video on the 135 over at ack.com, and one review mentioned the deck in front of the seat having some flex to it. Might want to check that out in all the models/brands you're looking at. Don't need a thin, flexing deck underfoot.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Points like this are why I appreciate my viewers! Who would have thought to look at that? Thanks!

@retnav92 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing: You're welcome :) . I've had my Lure 11.5 for 6 months, and have only stood in it once (my balance isn't all that great these days). I'm 6'1", 190lbs, and I know there's absolutely no flex in the deck when I'm getting in and out of it at the dock. As a side note, I can also get a 7' long spinning rod into the front (oval-shaped) front hatch. ;)

@johnbutler2231 6 лет назад

How do you use your depth finder? Shoot through the hull?

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

I have two different models. I use the Helix with side scan when I am fishing outside of the shallow marshes and that will not work through the hull. The side scan needs to be unobstructed to work. The other one I use is the Deeper sonar and usually cast it to float it down a channel or grass line - so it is typically not attached to the kayak.

@GreatWyrmLord 6 лет назад

Doesn't the seat have a third position besides high and low?

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Yes, it can be collapsed and titled up to fit in the slot at the rear to have it totally out of the way.

@GreatWyrmLord 6 лет назад

I thought they had a lay back position like a lazy chair. I guess they removed that in the Radars version.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

They might and that feature was overlooked when Chris was going through the boat.

@darthabadon 5 лет назад

it does recline. but the whole fold it up part is total bullshit. Theres no room to do on the water and fat chance messing with those bolts. the are three piece.

@brianmowers307 6 лет назад

I stopped watching awards shows years ago because of the politics so I am overdue for the words, "and the award goes to..." can't wait!

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

I will post the decision process I used to boil everything down to my top two choices on Feb 7. Now, I just have to test those choices to make the final pick!

@fredfable5655 6 лет назад

No comments on this kayak (Chinese wisdom...LOL)

@retnav92 6 лет назад

Don't know if you've made your decision yet, but here's a pro/con video between Mirage drive and a prop drive: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-S9W1q8SPDmE.html

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

THANKS!

@smithmal01 6 лет назад

I've ridden many of the pedal drive boats you have listed on your spreadsheet. My thoughts are as follows: Hobie - not a big fan; overpriced and mirage drive is a PIA for getting it to go in reverse; tested both the Outback and PA14 (have not seen the Compass) Slayer - very nice smooth drive, but boat was a little tippy and did not feel comfortable standing up Coosa HD - was fun, but pedal drive I used was prototype and could not go in reverse at the time. Yak felt a little sluggish in turning for me; did like how the pedal drive would instantly respond to underwater obstacles without ruining the drive Predator PDL - was very stable and the pedal drive really moved the boat (fastest Pedal drive product I demo'd) Radar 135 - had decent turn radius, pedal drive was okay, and boat was fairly stable Pescador - Did not ride, but I've seen plenty of videos about issues regarding material and quality; would stay away I also rode the Titan (which you don't have listed) which was really stable and had a great turning radius, but man is it heavy. My two favorites, which you'd don't have listed were the ATAK 120/140 and the Jackson MayFly. Neither however have a pedal drive, so if that is your #1 priority then they are both off the list. Personally, I don't think the cost and weight of a pedal drive are worth it. These drives are still fairly new for many of these manufacturers so there are still optimizations to be worked out. For me comfort and stability are the two highest priorities. They both paddle extremely well (especially with how wide they are), are very comfortable and stable, have plenty of room, and if you want to go somewhere fast, then add an electric motor for an additional $150 (rather than a cool $1k for a pedal drive). But, if you have the money......

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

I REALLY appreciate that comprehensive assessment. I was with you on pedal vs paddle until the end of last season when I realized I could really extend my range to get to more places from the limited launch points on the Intracoastal Waterway. So... I do need to go in that direction. I am down to the Outback vs the Coosa at this point and need to get in both of them to make the final call.

@smithmal01 6 лет назад

Your welcome. Both the Outback and Coosa are nice yaks, but very heavy. I was totally down with getting a super stable, heavy yak that I could pedal and stand up and then I met this guy (www.amazon.com/Simple-Joys-Kayak-Fishing-plastic/dp/1530929547/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517256851&sr=1-15&keywords=kayak+fishing) and he reminded me that kayak fishing is supposed to be simple and stress free, so I flipped 180 and got myself a nice light yak (Native Ultimate 12). Very easy to get on and off the water and you don't need a trailer to move it. For super duper stability, the WaveWalk is also nice (W500 is only 60lbs). If you're interested in extending your distance and not adding to your weight, the Bixpy Water Jet gets pretty high marks (but is also pretty expensive ). The Bixpy will give you 4-7 hours of trolling @ 4mph and only add 10lbs to your load (here's someone using with a Titan which is a tank of a yak: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xZw3ZYXWrnw.html). By the way, somewhat near you is the Appotomax River Company which hosts a huge kayak demo day in Southern VA (Farmville, VA). They just had their 30 year anniversary and have been doing the demo for at least twenty years. It is considered the largest kayak demo exhibition on the East Coast. Every pedal model known to mankind is there to demo so you can try them all back-to-back and get an idea of what you like and what you don't. Not sure if you want to wait that long, but it would help anyone out in terms of gathering some extensive comparison experiences (before dropping $2k to $3.5k).

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thank you very much for the advice. I have been to Farmville and know where the Appomatax guys are.

@jeffjackson5331 6 лет назад

Have you checked out the Bonafide kayaks yet? They look pretty nice from what i have seen on Facebook and here on youtube.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Do they have a pedal version yet? I have not seen that they have one.

@jeffjackson5331 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing i don’t know. I don’t think they do yet. I didn’t see anything on their web site for one yet. The hole is there though.

@jeffjackson5331 6 лет назад

Kayak Hacks Fishing i just sent Bonafide Kayaks a message on messenger asking them if they have a pedal version and they said they won’t have one for this year. Sorry! They are nice looking yaks though.

@KayakhacksFishing 6 лет назад

Thanks for finding out... those do look well designed!