Tarpon 100 Part 2 – Closer look.
Apr 18, 2010 18:12:25 GMT -1
Post by empee on Apr 18, 2010 18:12:25 GMT -1
Bought my original Tarpon 100 without having tried it but it was a good deal and at 10’ it promised to be a good compromise between an out and out fishing kayak and a play / touring kayak for lake, river and sea with the family.
Performance wise it turned out to be pretty much ideal – reasonably stable - I can (just) stand up in it – but not for long! And much improved directional stability over my previous Mini X.
A replacement would need to be around the same length, with similar performance but include better secure stowage for odds and ends within reach while paddling.
I liked the consul hatch on the 12’ Moken so was keen to see the new 10’ version. Unfortunately that turned out to be strangely ‘fat’ and no doubt very stable but I can’t help but associate ‘very stable’ with slow!
Considered the new Manta 11 but in the end it was another Tarpon - the new 2009 Tarpon 100.
The hull seems quite similar to the old one although they claim improved buoyancy for a dryer ride and some increase in speed apparently.
After a couple of outings I haven’t noticed any change in performance - the main improvements for me are the new fittings – new seat design, adjustable footrests, deck accessory tracks and quick latching hatches forward and centre replacing the old ‘peel off’ rubber ones.
It’s not perfect – there’s no bucket or bag option for the hatches so anything placed in there will need to be secured to stop it disappearing into the hull. Yes you can use a waterproof bag but a fitted bucket or bag would be much easier and mean the hatch being open for less time. And why have manufacturers still not figured out a route for the fish finder cables?
Some details:
The Orbix hatches – Neat, simple, one-handed lever opening. Hinged so no chance of losing the lid! Works well.
The SlideTrax system – One of my reasons for buying - less holes to drill and everything comes off in one – a bit fiddly to engage the ‘Dashboard’ (http://www.harmonygear.com/product/203824/KONSOLE_SLDTRX/_/SlideTrax%20Dashboard) retainer plates into the track but otherwise it’s excellent.
There seems to be numerous accessories available for the Slidetrax rails - Wilderness Systems seem to have left the marketing of them to 3rd party vendors, the Dashboard supplied with my kayak comes from a company called Harmony.
The footrests
Adjustable footrests were a must after suffering the moulded in ones digging into the side of my legs in my old Tarpon. Not adjustable without reaching down to the footrest but once set up they shouldn’t need it. Wouldn’t buy a kayak without them.
The new seat
Comfortable! I like not having to fit a seat before launching – just flip the backrest up and it’s ready.
The backrest height is adjustable via a toggle down between your legs, as well as the usual pitch adjustment via the side straps.
Pull the black toggle to raise - Push the silver lever to lower...
The front edge of seat base can also be raised or lowered via straps either side – similar to the new Mantas but without the cushion.
The seat isn’t attached directly to the hull but sits on a plastic tray some 20 – 30mm off the deck.
The moulding here will ‘hold’ water and a check underneath reveals that there are pair of scuppers beneath. As supplied these scuppers are fitted with bungs but with no way of removing them without first unbolting the seat tray.
Not sure why it’s supplied this way but I'll leave the bungs in place but drill some holes in them – that way if I drop something small between my legs it’s not going to disappear through a scupper, but water will still drain away.
The moulding
Leaving aside the dings left by the delivery couriers the finish looks good. Haven’t done a leak test yet but all the scupper joins seem smooth and reasonable well aligned. The choice of colours is good in the US but has been restricted to red, orange or blue here in UK. This may now change with the appointment of a new distributer (Palm) Very pleased with the Light Lime (had to wait 6 weeks!) – it’s lightly ‘speckled’ A small but nice improvement over the previous model is the non-slip moulded into the deck all around the seat area, just where you’d put your hands when getting in or out. Doesn't show up on a photo - but it feels good!
Now almost finished on fitting out - just waiting for some nuts and bolts to get the final pics - that will be in 'Part 3'
Martin
Performance wise it turned out to be pretty much ideal – reasonably stable - I can (just) stand up in it – but not for long! And much improved directional stability over my previous Mini X.
A replacement would need to be around the same length, with similar performance but include better secure stowage for odds and ends within reach while paddling.
I liked the consul hatch on the 12’ Moken so was keen to see the new 10’ version. Unfortunately that turned out to be strangely ‘fat’ and no doubt very stable but I can’t help but associate ‘very stable’ with slow!
Considered the new Manta 11 but in the end it was another Tarpon - the new 2009 Tarpon 100.
The hull seems quite similar to the old one although they claim improved buoyancy for a dryer ride and some increase in speed apparently.
After a couple of outings I haven’t noticed any change in performance - the main improvements for me are the new fittings – new seat design, adjustable footrests, deck accessory tracks and quick latching hatches forward and centre replacing the old ‘peel off’ rubber ones.
It’s not perfect – there’s no bucket or bag option for the hatches so anything placed in there will need to be secured to stop it disappearing into the hull. Yes you can use a waterproof bag but a fitted bucket or bag would be much easier and mean the hatch being open for less time. And why have manufacturers still not figured out a route for the fish finder cables?
Some details:
The Orbix hatches – Neat, simple, one-handed lever opening. Hinged so no chance of losing the lid! Works well.
The SlideTrax system – One of my reasons for buying - less holes to drill and everything comes off in one – a bit fiddly to engage the ‘Dashboard’ (http://www.harmonygear.com/product/203824/KONSOLE_SLDTRX/_/SlideTrax%20Dashboard) retainer plates into the track but otherwise it’s excellent.
There seems to be numerous accessories available for the Slidetrax rails - Wilderness Systems seem to have left the marketing of them to 3rd party vendors, the Dashboard supplied with my kayak comes from a company called Harmony.
The footrests
Adjustable footrests were a must after suffering the moulded in ones digging into the side of my legs in my old Tarpon. Not adjustable without reaching down to the footrest but once set up they shouldn’t need it. Wouldn’t buy a kayak without them.
The new seat
Comfortable! I like not having to fit a seat before launching – just flip the backrest up and it’s ready.
The backrest height is adjustable via a toggle down between your legs, as well as the usual pitch adjustment via the side straps.
Pull the black toggle to raise - Push the silver lever to lower...
The front edge of seat base can also be raised or lowered via straps either side – similar to the new Mantas but without the cushion.
The seat isn’t attached directly to the hull but sits on a plastic tray some 20 – 30mm off the deck.
The moulding here will ‘hold’ water and a check underneath reveals that there are pair of scuppers beneath. As supplied these scuppers are fitted with bungs but with no way of removing them without first unbolting the seat tray.
Not sure why it’s supplied this way but I'll leave the bungs in place but drill some holes in them – that way if I drop something small between my legs it’s not going to disappear through a scupper, but water will still drain away.
The moulding
Leaving aside the dings left by the delivery couriers the finish looks good. Haven’t done a leak test yet but all the scupper joins seem smooth and reasonable well aligned. The choice of colours is good in the US but has been restricted to red, orange or blue here in UK. This may now change with the appointment of a new distributer (Palm) Very pleased with the Light Lime (had to wait 6 weeks!) – it’s lightly ‘speckled’ A small but nice improvement over the previous model is the non-slip moulded into the deck all around the seat area, just where you’d put your hands when getting in or out. Doesn't show up on a photo - but it feels good!
Now almost finished on fitting out - just waiting for some nuts and bolts to get the final pics - that will be in 'Part 3'
Martin
