The big news from Wilderness Systems is the new Tactical Pro 128, a full-feature motor kayak ready to take on any adventure. Built on a radical new catamaran hull, the boat is designed for a bow-mount trolling motor and a stern-mount outboard. Of course, a kayak rigged with a motor isn’t big news, but the Tactical Pro 128 is optimized for motor power like no other kayak.
First Look: Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro 128
When designing the Tactical Pro 128, Wilderness Systems first objective was optimizing the boat’s performance under motor power. Anyone who has rigged a kayak with a motor knows that balancing the boat is the biggest challenge. Finding space on the kayak for batteries, motors and cables is one problem. But placing these components so the boat floats correctly without compromising the performance is even more important.
Wilderness solved this problem by designing the Tactical Pro 128 for motors and batteries. A flat space in the bow is angled to hold a trolling motor with the shaft in the center of the bow. A huge hatch is large enough to hold a full-size battery.
The stern has a flat space shaped to host an outboard or trolling motor with space on either side of the motor for Power-Pole Micro anchors. A large hatch behind the seat fits a full-size battery with routing below deck for wires and cables.
Below the water, the boat is designed to accommodate the weight of batteries and motors. Extra volume in the bow supports the bow trolling motor and battery while a wide, flat stern with a battery hatch near the driver’s seat floats the weight of the outboard motor and battery.
The result is a boat that is balanced for performance and handling with any configuration of motors and batteries. Not only does this improve fishing functionality, but the design is more efficient to save battery power without sacrificing speed.
As expected with a “Pro” series kayak, the Tactical Pro 128 has a long list of storage space and mounting options for electronics and accessories. The cherry on the sundae is a super comfortable 360-degree swivel seat. When I’m running a motorized kayak, I love a swivel seat for accessing gear, operating the motors and facing the direction I am fishing without turning the kayak.
All of the features and rigging have a cost. The Tactical 128 weighs almost 160 pounds. Skid plates in the stern make it easier to load the kayak, but this big boat needs a trailer and heavy-duty kayak cart to move safely and efficiently. The boat’s weight is a challenge on land, but it is an asset on the water with 600 pounds of capacity to rig the boat with all the bells and whistles.
On the water, we tested the Tactical Pro 128 with a bow-mount trolling motor. The efforts to balance the boat were immediately evident as the weight of the motor in the bow and battery under the seat didn’t affect the boat’s performance at rest or while zooming along at full speed. The boat’s stability was on full display as I could stand up, move side to side and even fish from the bow without tipping the boat. At top speed, the boat zooms along without throwing a huge bow wake or losing stability. The hybrid catamaran hull cuts through the water keeping the boat on a straight course while allowing it to turn sharply, even at full speed.
As more anglers add motors to their kayaks and more companies design boats to accommodate motors and batteries, Wilderness Systems cuts to the chase by designing a kayak optimized to perform under power without sacrificing fishing performance.
Feature photo: Kayak Angler Staff
These are not kayaks. Call them what they are micro boats.