Wilderness Systems Ride 115 Kayak

[Jay415]

I posted this in another forum and was asks to post it here also. I started writing this a while ago and never finished, but I wanted to put together a little review of my new fishing Kayak. I will add more pics as I make modifications or some fishing pics. I ended up getting the new 2012 Wilderness Systems Ride 115. I didn't get the angler addition, but I did add 2 flush mounted rod holders behind the seat.

For a Fishfinder/GPS, I added a Humminbird 385ci DI on a ram mount and installed the transducer through a scupper hole so I could get accurate water temps. I used 1" in-ground sprinkler tubing which fits the scupper holes perfectly snug. Heated the end with a heat gun to shape it around transducer and attached it with an Aluminum T nut and bolt.  The wire is then ran through a through- hull water tight fitting then back out to the unit. This way the extra transducer wire is neatly coiled inside the yak and I didn't have to drill any more holes. It's ran off a 5ah, 12v battery which I picked up on eBay for about $16. The battery is mounted in a water tight box that is stuck to the bottom of the kayak with water resistant exterior double sided tape.

I had taken the fish finder off the kayak temporarily to use on my other boat. So now that I reinstalled it I decided to mount the transducer to shoot through hull. I cut pieces of foam slightly larger than the transducer. Stuck that down with double sided tape, filled the hole with Lexel and mushed the transducer into it. I then filled more Lexel over the top. Mounting it this way I should still get good readings, but I will lose the accurate temperature readings. I decided I will carry a small pool thermometer on a string that I can toss over the side for temperature when I need it. I only mounted the transducer today so I don't even know how well it works this way. But it is one of the recommended ways to do it. I will include pics of both transducer installs.

Off my left shoulder I added a Yak Attack Mighty Mount so I can mount my GoPro Hero2 HD video camera. That sits on top of anYak Attack PanFish Camera Pole. I also added a small Yak Attack PanFish Portrait camera pole on the front to take self portraits with fish. I added an anchor trolley, which I use mostly in shallow water with the Yak Attack Stake-out pole. I also carry a folding kayak anchor. Just need to mount an anchor cleat, when I figure out where.

I mounter a rudder which is controlled by replacing the foot braces, with slide track foot braces. The rudder is great and really enhances boat control, especially in the wind or when fighting a fish and the fish is pulling the boat!

The boat is 11' 6" long , 33" wide and weighs 76lbs.  The weight capacity is 500lbs!

For starters I absolutely love this boat. It's very comfortable. I can store lots of gear and I can move around and stand with ease. No fear of tipping. If you can stand in a small Jon Boat with another person in it, you can stand on this.  The only downfall is the weight of the boat. It's manageable, but when your only 5'8" and mounting it on the roof of a Yukon or dragging it 100 yards uphill full of gear after a long day, it can feel much heavier! (Troy knows where I'm talking about! lol) I did build a kayak cart which makes things easier. And I also use the Thule Glide an Slide kayak rack with the Thule Water Slide, makes loading and unloading much easier and the water slide protects your vehicle.

Well pictures and video always say more than words so here are a few:

A quick video I made up while fishing with a friend, This was all filmed with the GoPro Hero2 mounted on Yak Attack Panfish mount.

Stability test I did when I first got it.  (I get a kick out of listening to my son in the background of the first video, this kid cracks me up! lol)

Unmodified




Here is my boat on the left all rigged up. (friend's on the right, but same boat)

 
 

[Jay415]

Scupper Hole Transducer Mount

 

Shoot Through-Hull Transducer Mount and Battery Box









And Finally My Tow Vehicle and Chauffeur

[J Francho]

Welcome aboard Jay, and thanks for posting this!

[Broke bass fisherman]

Nice write up. Love your tow vehicle and chauffeur.

[flyfisher]

Nice write up. And nice lawn too!!

I have a coosa that I am super pleased with but all these great reviews and write ups have me wondering if I should sell it and move to the ride115

[HeavyDluxe]

I was lucky enough to get an early 2013 blemished boat right as they were rolling over into the New Year. (Such a shame that the Ride sticker isn't perfectly straight!)  Your post is a great write-up on the Ride... As you showed, the initial and secondary stability in the boat is pretty cool and was the main thing that sold me.  Great video, as well!

 

Flyfisher:  I demo'd the Cuda, Coosa, and Ride boats last year before making the decision to move with the Ride.  FWIW, I think that the Coosa and Ride are designed to fill very different roles - and they each fill their roles quite well.  You're mileage may vary, but I really can't imagine a situation in which someone who owns and likes their Coosa feeling that the Ride is an upgrade.  A great second boat for flat waters?  Sure.  But, I think they're both excellent.

 

If you'd like to read more of what I wrote last year, here's my post on which boat I selected and why.

 

 

EDIT:  Flyfisher, I just realized that you were a poster on the same thread, so I'm sure I look like a jack[rearend] for directing you to that post.  I apologize, and I repent in sackcloth and ashes.

[Darren.]

Nice review. You'll have some great trips and memories in that yak.

[Jay415]

Thanks guys! I can't wait to get out very soon. Right now everything is frozen. Come spring I'm planning some striper fishing, and also hoping to do a smallmouth river trip. I'll add more pics when I can.

[Jig Meister]

great post man, nothing like kayak fishing, I am soooo ready for winter to break and the ice to melt so I can get some paddle time in, Ohio blows this time of year for people who do not ice fish

[L. Dwayne Sudduth]

Great Post... I have the 'big brother', the Ride 135; because I fish some larger lakes in addition to rivers. I haven't had any issues, even fishing some river areas that are really just wide 'creeks'(The Juniata being one).  

 

Are you going to pick up an Airpro Elevated? Two of my friends (who happen to be on Wilderness Systems pro-staff) have them and they love them. There is a video of them going over a class III rapid, with little to no problems on the Susquehanna River. They're not the type to 'blow smoke' so I take their word when they say the seat rocks..and I'm getting one myself. 

 

Also updating my crate to the new YakAttack Black Pack.. 

 

Enjoy that Ride--it's a great boat.

 

Tight Lines!

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

Thanks guys! I can't wait to get out very soon. Right now everything is frozen. Come spring I'm planning some striper fishing, and also hoping to do a smallmouth river trip. I'll add more pics when I can.

Hey there, awesome post and pics. I want to ask you how fast it is? I have an emotion kayaks renegade and it's only 10 foot. It feels slow but it's my first and only kayak so I don't really have a reference. Thanks

[Jay415]

Hey there, awesome post and pics. I want to ask you how fast it is? I have an emotion kayaks renegade and it's only 10 foot. It feels slow but it's my first and only kayak so I don't really have a reference. Thanks

Thanks. I can only compare it to my other kayak which is a 14' Carolina. It's definitely not as fast as that but it definitely doesn't feel slow. If I'm remembering correctly, I think I can get 4-6 mph on the GPS. No clue what I got on the Carolina.

[Sodus Bay Scooter]

That's a good idea. I'll use my gps to check my speed. Thanks!

[Jay415]

I made a kayak cart to make transporting down to the lake and back easier. My last cart I made was actually made for my sit inside kayak. It would slip off this kayak easily and was hard to pull sometimes. So I redesigned it to go into the scupper holes. This way seems much better. Cost about $25



 

[Jay415]

I also added a Scotty Rod Mount mounted with 2 Yak Attack mighty mounts and T bolts, so it can be moved anywhere on the slide tracks on either side of the kayak.

[hvang0921]

Very nice kayak.

[tnbassfisher]

I've been wanting to upgrade my my Pelican for a few years now, and this yak has been towards the top of my list. You might have just helped me to make my decision.

[moguy1973]

I wish my Ocean Kayak Trident was that stable when standing. Might be but I've only tried once to stand in it and it was in early March last year in cold water and I didn't feel like getting hypothermia that day.

[alexstep88]

I have the 2013 ride 115 with the air pro seat. Only been out twice, but it is the BEST YAK IN THE WORLD....for me.

[alexstep88]

I wish my Ocean Kayak Trident was that stable when standing. Might be but I've only tried once to stand in it and it was in early March last year in cold water and I didn't feel like getting hypothermia that day.

I've used the OK prowler 13 quite a bit. Don't know if it is similar to the trident. I could stand in it, but I had to focus on keeping balance. Not very easy to do while fishing. I'm sure it wasn't made for it, so I can't complain. It was a great yak. Very light. Wish my ride 115 was that light.

[BrianinMD]

Man, makes me jealous. Would love to have a yak to get on some of places around me. Only problem is i can't swim, and will work/school no time to take lessons.

 

Nice looking rig!

[stk]

@Jay415

Thanks for the review on this, I've been trying to get an idea of which kayak to buy and you have been very helpful in narrowing it down for me.

 

@HeavyDluxe

Thanks for your post on the kayaks in the other thread.  I'm also a bigger guy myself and I think that is a crucial point that a lof people that review kayaks miss.  I will be on the lookout for kayak demo's in my area to give some a try.

[Predator130]

I'm a ride 115 guy myself.  Love the stability.  I'm 6' 230 and have no problems setting the hook on big bass while standing up.  Even while frog fishing I can lay it to them and not worry about falling out of the boat.  Can't even say that for my 1648 lol.  

[Felix77]

I have the new Ride 115x.  You will not regret the purchase.  Great Yak!!!

Welcome to the club

[stk]

Felix,

 

Can you stand in your ride 115x?