Wilderness Ride 115 X Opinion

[keninaz]

I recently purchased the Wilderness Ride 115 X.
For those that don't know this kayak it comes with a built-in sonar console that does make mounting of the transducer very easy. The battery sits inside, the transducer sits on the bottom a the FF on top and it all removes very easy all in one piece.
Another option I purchased is the elevated Air Core Seat that I really like. t does weigh 15# but it's very comfortable.

But one of the shortcomings of this boat to me is that my brand-new Lowrance Elite-4X HDI sonar/fishfinder is too far out of reach when mounted as suggested at the rear of the sonar console which is removable.

The FF is too far forward and although I am 6 foot tall with long arms I cannot reach the controls on the FF sitting in the seat. And needless to say the FF screen that comes with this fishfinder is also a bit small to view at that distance. On an overcast day the fish displayed on the screen are a bit hard to make out the depth readings and symbols.
Frankly, if I had to do this again I would not have bought  t the 115X,  I would have bought the standard Ride115  and added the options required  to turn this  into the angler style  for fishing . Only the 115X comes with the console however and without the console  in place you would have a rectangular hole in the hull that the transducer sits in on the bottom of the console.

Yes you would have to find an alternative mount  for the FF and a location  to put the little seven amp hour battery but at least you would be able to pick  the location where the fishfinder went  so would be visible and accessible to the kayaker.

Overall I like the right 115 but I did find  on the maiden that aggressive paddling  results in a little wobble in the tracking  but that is to be expected I guess on 11.5 foot boat.

I will move the FF to make it accessible for menu changes and viewing but I think the console just sits too far forward in my opinion.

I found the stability of the hull on the Ride 115 to be outstanding and overall I think it's a nice kayak.

Also keep in mind  that the boat itself  without a seat  still weighs in at just over 70 pounds. And in my case with the FF, battery and console installed you have nearly 100# to handle.

Bui think the weight and the hull design add to the stability of the kayak so that is a trade-off.

[Felix77]

Have you considered using a Ram mount and moving the FF closer.  I sat in the 115x and noticed that when I researched them.  I bought mine with the intent of installing the FF at the ball which locks that console in place.  

 

The Ram mount also allows me to move the FF angles so that I can look down at it while fishing.

 

Here is a link.  Hope it helps.

 

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/8785/RAM-Mount-for-Lowrance-Elite-4-and-Mark-4-Fishfinders.html

[keninaz]

Yes I just got information from Ram Mounts as the newer HDI is not shown in the charts just yet. But it takes the same quick release as the other series 4s do.

The disappointing thing to me is that even if I mount it on the back side of the sonar console provided the longest double socket mount that Ram makes is the Ram-B-201U 6" and at 6" I am not sure it will be close enough to view and manage menus and screens still.

I may have to trail the wiring out of the console and use the 1" rail mount ball or just mount it in the hull material itself back closer to my position.

I may even go for a flexible style 18" mount that they make.

Still doing research to make sure I get what I need at this point needless to say.

[keninaz]

I did order the quick release bracket for the FF and a sliding ball mount for the rail as well so I will have the option of mounting it there too.

I may however decide just to use the 2.5" mount that comes with the quick release and short double pivot ball and mount it even closer to me.

At least this solves my one real gripe about this particular boat.

You would think that on a kayak that the average guy is going to use something just like this 4.3" display and if you mount it to the console it's going to be quite a distance from you.

Just so you know.