Wilderness Systems Fiberglass Tempest 180 Touring Kayak

This is a fiberglass touring kayak with a drop skeg guidance system but edges very well for a large volume sea kayak. This boat is designed for the larger paddler. I am 6’ 1” 235 size 12 shoes. I am very comfortable and the cockpit has hip pads that provide a snug fit. The seat and back band are the most comfortable I have experienced in a touring kayak.

The foot pegs are adjustable by manipulating a rod near your knee area. No need to reach all the way down to your feet. It has a 10” forward hatch an 8” day hatch and an 18.5” x 12.5” oval rear hatch. The skeg does take up some cargo room. I didn’t think I’d use the day hatch but now that I have it I use it all the time.

Other Tempest reviewers seem to have trouble with the hatches, but I have not. After 2 hours of rolling practice I found about a table spoon of water in the rear hatch and the others were dry. This boat handles chop and surf well the nose sinks a little and pops right back up, a dry ride even loaded. The Tempest also responds very well to edging.