Wilderness Systems Targa 100 Review
Bottom Line:
The Targa 100 is a day boat tour de force! It’s well built, it’s extremely comfy to ride over long periods, and it’s super easy to drain if you run into any water trouble.
It’s also a highly customizable kayak, with plenty of space for most kit – with the removable cooler being a particularly notable high point for reviewers. The fact it’s one of the best lightweight sit-on-top kayaks for its size and style is a major plus, with rigid handles and rack support making it amazingly easy to transport.
It tracks well, gets up to a decent speed, and can handle Class I waters.
Price Comparison:
Specs:
| Brand | Wilderness Systems |
| Size (length x width) | 10' x 32" |
| Weight | 57 lbs |
| Capacity | 325 lbs |
| Material | Polyethylene |
Comparison to Similar Kayaks:
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| Wilderness Systems Targa 100 | Ocean Kayak Malibu 9.5 | Eddyline Caribbean 14FS | Perception Hi-Life | Feelfree Nomad | |
| Expert Rating | 7.5 | 8.2 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Size | 10' x 32" | 9'5" x 33" | 14' x 29" | 11' x 34" | 9'6 x 29.25" |
| Weight | 57 lbs | 54 lbs | 50 lbs | 55 lbs | 46.2 lbs |
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| Durability | n/a | n/a |
Wilderness Systems Targa 100 Review
- Impressively stable up to Class I
- Very rigidly built - a lifelong choice
- Easy to carry and store
- Designed for balance between performance and stability
- Extremely comfortable for long periods
- Storage isn't waterproof
- May still be pretty heavy for some boaters
Performance of the Wilderness Systems Targa 100
The Targa 100 sit-on-top kayak really performs better than it looks – and it already looks fairly impressive. Reviewers claim that the way the boat’s designed already offers confidence before taking to the water.
Not only that, but the new sling-style seat distributes weight well – experts say that it’s easy to lose yourself for hours and hours without feeling numb. The footpegs and sheer space available in the kayak also help in this regard.
There’s a nice array of storage options, including a hooded bow storage area. Experts were particularly impressed by the removable cooler and easy-access bungee. However, there’s a lack of waterproof storage onboard, which may not appeal to some folks.
One further contention point appears to be length. While super comfortable for many riders, experts believe this boat should only ever appeal to people under six feet three in height – otherwise, it may get a little cramped.
Overall, reviewers feel this is a ‘lifetime’ boat that’s great for day-tripping and likely won’t need an expert hand to make the most out of it.
