Vibe Sea Ghost 130 Review
Bottom Line:
A feature-rich fishing kayak, the Sea Ghost 130 arrives with a little more space over its cousin in the 110, and it’s definitely noticeable. This kayak comes with ample dry storage and a customizable console front and center, offering ample space for gear.
The reviews are in – and all agree that the boat performs well in terms of handling on faster waters; it’s demonstrably tough to tip over! It also claims a “comfiest ever” accolade from one reviewer – meaning this kayak really does seem to be built with fishing trips in mind.
So if you’re looking for a quality kayak that’s comfortable to paddle, then the Vibe Sea Ghost 130 could be it.
Price Comparison:
Specs:
| Brand | Vibe |
| Size (length x width) | 13' x 33" |
| Weight | 75 lbs |
| Capacity | 550 lbs |
| Material | Polyethylene |
Comparison to Similar Kayaks:
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| Vibe Sea Ghost 130 | Pelican Sentinel 100X Angler | Old Town Topwater 120 | Hobie Mirage Outback | Vibe Sea Ghost 110 | |
| Expert Rating | 7.9 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| Size | 13' x 33" | 9'5" x 30" | 12' x 33.5" | 12'9" x 34" | 11'6" x 33" |
| Weight | 75 lbs | 44 lbs | 82 lbs | 85 lbs | 84 lbs |
| Handling | |||||
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| Comfort | |||||
| Onboard Storage | |||||
| Portability | |||||
| Durability | n/a | n/a |
Vibe Sea Ghost 130 Review
- Lots of intuitive storage
- Easy to access gear tracks and dry bags
- Extremely stable in most conditions
- Rudder control makes for ease of movement
- Very comfy and highly adjustable seat
- Not the easiest to carry
- Can get pretty slow on calm waters
Performance of the Vibe Sea Ghost 130
Vibe’s Sea Ghost line remains very popular with paddlers looking to take serious control of their kayaks, and the foot pedal rudder allows for what experts say is some of the smoothest movement on the water. It’s a huge plus for anyone who’s either new to maneuvering kayaks period, or who may be tired of having to really push their boats to turn on a dime!
The Sea Ghost 130 is great for paddlers who are looking to store lots of gear or food and drink on longer journeys. It boasts Vibe’s famous central console, which has multiple compartments for keeping various bits of tackle and even tech dry when needed. This is a boat that’s clearly built for fishing, though reviewers feel it’s likely to score highly on other types of recreational activity, too.
There’s high praise for waterproofing and drainage here, too. There doesn’t seem to be much need to worry about your tech or gear getting wet if you hit choppier waters or waves. In which case, there’s probably not much need for separate dry bags – just pop your gear straight in and away you go.
The Sea Ghost 130 is reportedly a tough cookie to move when waters get slow, but in choppier currents, it seems to be surprisingly responsive. That’s going to be a huge benefit for anyone out there wanting to try fishing in wilder and wider waters.
Take into account the stability, too – this is a boat that allows anglers to stand up and cast lines as well as sit down, with negligible chance of you tipping the kayak. In fact, one reviewer tipped themselves in before the boat even wobbled! It’s a great sign if you want to paddle up and down the length of the craft, too.
Anglers sick and tired of kayaks that wear hard on the butt will also appreciate the Sea Ghost 130’s padded and adjustable seating, which one expert confidently claims to be among the best they’ve ever tested. Great news if you want to sail out on longer journeys or adventures.
The 130 is a pretty hefty kayak, which means you’re probably going to need a few pairs of hands to help move it around. That said, our expert reviews claim the handles around the boat have improved massively since the last version of the 130 hit shelves. That means you can expect more ergonomic relief without losing any of the grip. It’ll likely fare well if you need to carry it long distances from getting parked up and towards the water.
That said, if there’s any improvements to portability that experts pick up on beyond the bulk (which can’t be helped), the 130 could stand to benefit from a skid plate. This way, it’d be easier to drag down pathways and towards the water.
Vibe always seems to score well on longevity, and experts feel the Sea Ghost 130 is going to withstand some choppier and spikier trips provided you still take care of it in the meantime.
The Vibe Sea Ghost 130 seems to score well on all categories, though it’s clearly weighted more towards anglers who demand more control in stronger waters. It’s responsive, well-paced, and one of the most feature-rich kayaks for its price, making it a great value investment if you’re serious about finding a long-term boat.
