Tarpon 120
Sept 20, 2008 18:30:32 GMT -1
Post by popeye on Sept 20, 2008 18:30:32 GMT -1
Hi all
Popeye here.
I was asked to review the Tarpon 120. Being a dedicated P.13 fan, I thought I would put it through its paces.
So, with the help of my son in law Steve, We set of to Rhos Colyn on Anglesea for it s first test.
The first thing I noticed, was how much lighter it was, so it was easy to lift onto the roof rack . Ideal if you like to travel alone, or a bit maturer in years. It also has room to add rod holders,anchor trolley etc. The rear compartment tappers toward the back so its a bit awkward to find a snug fitting basket for tackle and fish storage, but the front storage hatch is great and has ample enough room ,I think, to hold C tug, tent, and small cooker.
As for capsizing I got Ste to do this( He He ) He went into the water back wards and wasn't able to flip the 120 as it righted itself. We tried the capsize with the 120 fully laden,so this was a good result and Steve found re entry easy because of the 120s stability and as Steve is a novice to all this it boads well for the novice kayaker or first timer.
We set out to the right side of Rhos Colyn and out to the island with the tower on it. There is are several very strong currents running here at low water, just before and on the ebb.The Tarpon coped very well under these conditions and paddled well with a slight swing at the rear but no more than you would expect due to the currents. we paddled back with the currents running both left to right and vice versa. This is something that I would not advise we did this for test purpose only.
The next test we set of to Molefre and launched 1 hour before high water, winds S 12 knots.We paddled out to Ynys Island and round it keeping the Island on our left, coming back through the tidal rip,again the Tarpon proved to be stable under these conditions and traveled well, but when Steve stopped rowing once out of the rip it did seam to drift a bit more than my P.13 just something to be aware of really. We did another capsize here, again fully laden, again the Tarpon didn't go over and We did try. once again Steve had a good re entry from the side.
Next we went out to Treaudder 2 hours after high water, winds were SW 15 knots blowing straight in so we paddled over toward the large house on the rocks to the right, then across and over too Ravens point on the left, the conditions were a little rough to say the least and considering the conditions the Tarpon didn't get as wet as I thought it would.
All in all the Tarpon 120 was found to be very stable, reasonably dry,travels well in the water, comfortable, lighter than say the P.13 and above all didn't come across any leaks.
Would be a bonus if the Tarpon 120 came fitted with rod holders.
cheers to all
Popeye ;D
p.s. Will post pics soon
Popeye here.
I was asked to review the Tarpon 120. Being a dedicated P.13 fan, I thought I would put it through its paces.
So, with the help of my son in law Steve, We set of to Rhos Colyn on Anglesea for it s first test.
The first thing I noticed, was how much lighter it was, so it was easy to lift onto the roof rack . Ideal if you like to travel alone, or a bit maturer in years. It also has room to add rod holders,anchor trolley etc. The rear compartment tappers toward the back so its a bit awkward to find a snug fitting basket for tackle and fish storage, but the front storage hatch is great and has ample enough room ,I think, to hold C tug, tent, and small cooker.
As for capsizing I got Ste to do this( He He ) He went into the water back wards and wasn't able to flip the 120 as it righted itself. We tried the capsize with the 120 fully laden,so this was a good result and Steve found re entry easy because of the 120s stability and as Steve is a novice to all this it boads well for the novice kayaker or first timer.
We set out to the right side of Rhos Colyn and out to the island with the tower on it. There is are several very strong currents running here at low water, just before and on the ebb.The Tarpon coped very well under these conditions and paddled well with a slight swing at the rear but no more than you would expect due to the currents. we paddled back with the currents running both left to right and vice versa. This is something that I would not advise we did this for test purpose only.
The next test we set of to Molefre and launched 1 hour before high water, winds S 12 knots.We paddled out to Ynys Island and round it keeping the Island on our left, coming back through the tidal rip,again the Tarpon proved to be stable under these conditions and traveled well, but when Steve stopped rowing once out of the rip it did seam to drift a bit more than my P.13 just something to be aware of really. We did another capsize here, again fully laden, again the Tarpon didn't go over and We did try. once again Steve had a good re entry from the side.
Next we went out to Treaudder 2 hours after high water, winds were SW 15 knots blowing straight in so we paddled over toward the large house on the rocks to the right, then across and over too Ravens point on the left, the conditions were a little rough to say the least and considering the conditions the Tarpon didn't get as wet as I thought it would.
All in all the Tarpon 120 was found to be very stable, reasonably dry,travels well in the water, comfortable, lighter than say the P.13 and above all didn't come across any leaks.
Would be a bonus if the Tarpon 120 came fitted with rod holders.
cheers to all
Popeye ;D
p.s. Will post pics soon