Wilderness Radar 115

Has anyone used the Radar 115? ACK tells me the Helix pedals aren't shipping yet, but maybe someone can give a paddle report on it.

Curious to hear some feedback myself, I don't think the pedals will be available until late March. That being said let's TTT.

I have the Wilderness Systems ATAK 140.. Love it.. Added a 45 lb thrust trolling motor to the rear. Its wireless and you use a remote.. Gets me across the lake then when I am ready to fish. just use the paddle then. You have to register it in texas for 35 bucks for 2 years but that has been the only draw back so far! Runs all day on one charge!
Here is a video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5c8zQ_sVlg&t=2s

I have the Radar 115, and i love it. I've only had a chance to fish on it 3 or 4 times since I bought it, but It's a great kayak. I sold my Ride 115x to buy this one, and when I compare them, the Radar is so much more stable, it seems faster, and tracks really well. I can stand and fish in the Radar a lot easier than i could in the Ride. Apparently my balance isn't great. It's a great kayak, and I can't wait to get the Helix pedal drive added to it! Holler at me if you have any specific questions

Flash, thanks for responding. Do you fish freshwater, or saltwater (or both)? I travel in an RV and want to fish saltwater flats and bays when home and freshwater in Colorado, AZ, and E. Texas.

Bill, the pedal drive should be available around March or so. The boat and the HPD are offered separate because the Radar was designed to be a paddle first kayak with the peddle option. Like Frog said, its a great paddle yak with super stability and tracking.

Thanks frog. I'm assuming the rudder is a separate option for the Radar. Lots of questions. but I'm on the road until the end of next week. As soon as I get back to Spring, I will have a rack installed on my jeep for a Radar.

The rudder will come with the pedal drive

Great, thanks Frog.

Bill, I normally fish freshwater, but would have no problem putting this kayak in the saltwater flats. I've been really happy with it, and I can't wait to get the pedal drive

Thanks, Flash. I don't mind starting out without the pedals, But, as an old man, the pedals are essential for all day fishing, in my opinion.

Im torn between the Radar 115 or the 135 big brother radar!! I wonder how good the 115 is on open water on big lakes. It would make since to get the bigger yak but I like the lighter weight and length of the 115.

In addition to the length differential, the 115 is actually 2 cm, so about an inch wider than its big brother, the 135; and, its deck height is just a tiny fraction lower. In all, if the carrying capacity load tests are accurate, it nets out an additional 25 lbs. for the larger 135. Weight difference? 7 lbs.

This reminds me a little bit of the relationship between the Native Propel 10 and the 13 where the 10 is actually a bit wider, shares (supposedly) the same load capacity.

I'd guess one would find the 115 to be: slightly slower in a pedal or paddle effort, equally stable to waves coming in perpendicular to its long axis but slightly more "rocking" in front on wave action, slightly less stable standing, and that the 115 will turn tighter.

For me, I'd go with the 115 just because I have adopted a kayaking rationale, irrespective of all of the above, that "if you can't reach it, what good is the extra length." So, in the 115 out on the water, one could twist around and likely reach all the way near the back of the tank well area, likely lean forward and maybe even access the storage up there, too. With the 13' 6" model, what 22 inches, would be out of reach. Still good space for anyone who'd pull over and hop out to access more gear.

Either will be a great kayak!

Brad

Ponder this:

A Wilderness Radar 115 is: 11' 8" versus a Wilderness ATAK 120 at 12' 3" so the ATAK is 7" longer.

The 115 is listed at the same 88 cm as the 120 but in inches, 34.5" versus 35" (go figure!) but let's say the same width.

The 115s deck height is 15" versus the 120s 16"

The 115 is 82 lbs. of plastic versus 89 pounds of plastic for the 120.

So, for two boats essentially the same width, one 7" longer with a deck height (profile) one inch taller . . .

How is it that the Radar 115 purportedly has a maximum capacity of 450 lbs. versus 400 lbs. for the ATAK 120?

I get the idea that the taper of each kayak might explain some difference, that is, that the 115 might me wider along more of its long axis, but 50 lbs. is a really big difference for a smaller vessel to hold over a larger one.

I asked a factory rep but he didn't seem to know.

Brad

Brad, I asked your question to some engineers. The reply I got back was that based on the dimensions theres is roughly 7 cu in difference. That doesn't sound like a whole lot but when you factor in the amount of buoyancy that adds it can make a significant difference.

C-Frog, very cool and thanks for asking your source!

But, still, the displacement of 7 cu inches of water, which weighs 3.88 ounces doesn't make sense to me. You know the wonderment of someone seeing something large, like a big barge or ship, made out of steel or even concrete sometimes. The informed person tells the other asking how can it float that as long as the weight of the object is less than the weight of the water it displaces, it'll float.

So, the engineering guys are suggesting that an additional 7 cubic inches floats another 50 lbs?

I'll keep scratching my head a bit.

I have always sort of wondered about various kayaks and the sometimes very odd capacity claims.


Brad

Brad, I hope this explains your question a bit better. This is from a Wilderness kayak engineer.

The ATAK 120 has a center sidewall height of 11" and a scupper height of 5.5 inches. The Radar 115 has a center sidewall height of 14" inches and a scupper height of 7 inches. So in essence the Radar has 1.5 inches more freeboard before water ingress to the floor. Also just because the boat is wet does not mean it has reached it's max capacity. When we test for a boats Max Capacity we are testing the point at which the performance significantly degrades. We take 400 lbs of dumbbells and plates and start adding them to the boat as we paddle. Once we hit a point that we feel the boat is not behaving properly we stop, assess and assign a capacity. The Deck Height listed on the website is the highest point on the boat. On these types of boats the tallest point is usually on the end of the boat so even though the max height is 1" higher on the ATAK 120 the Radar keeps more height through the center.

I got to spend a weekend in the Radar 115 and will hopefully be getting a 135 to try in the near future. I have not tried the pedals yet but this kayak does not paddle like a pedal kayak. You can buy it and never get pedals and you'll be fine. It does paddle a lot like a Ride but might be a tad bit faster. Stability is great and a lot better than the Ride. I fish both fresh and salt and can say it would be great on the flats. Standing and paddling is easy and is what you need to sight fish the flats. The center hatch is a nice feature and does not get in the way like some other models. It's actually pretty roomy on the deck layout. My black pack filled the tank well but that is normal for the 115s. The roomy front deck and space under and behind the seat is nice. I personally prefer the longer kayaks for the extra space. I like to carry a cooler and need the space for camping trips but the compact size of the 115 combined with pedals would be a nice addition to my fleet.

NOTE: I compare to the Ride because I have a lot of experience in one and if you never have paddled a Ride it is comparable in speed to most top of the line paddle kayaks in its class and it's stability is one of the better in its class. Sad thing is with the addition of the Radar and the ATAK I don't see much of a future for the Ride.

Well, today I bit the bullet and bought the Radar 115. Did research until I became numb. The ACK people were very helpful. Brought it home to a small private lake to play with it for a while (might even catch a bass or two). Then will probably try fishing Houston County Lake. Thanks for the input from you'll.

Been considering the Radar 115/135 or the ATAK 120 currently have the Commander 120. Going to Demo the Radar this weekend. Both the Radar 115 and ATAK 120 look similar in specs. I know the Radar as option of peddle drive where the ATAK it is not an option.

Any opinions on the major differences in the ATAK 120 and Radar 115. Will primarily be fishing inshore and flats. Both seem would be a good choice.

I have the 120 and the Radar 115 should be here this week. Like you said they are similar in specs but the 115 has the option to drop in the pedal drive. deck layout is a little different but just about as open as the 120. I would say demo them both and then consider if the pedal drive might be an option down the road. I love my 120 BTW, it will be the perfect compliment kayak to the 115.

Radar 115 and the ATAK 120, going demo at a local dealer next week when they get the peddle drive system and helix drive motor. I know the helix drive is $1999 and the peddle drive is $1,100. My thoughts at least with myself even with wind and chop I don't think going to be a huge difference with paddling compared to peddle. Seem biggest difference would be going from paddling to motor drive, therefore might just be better to put the money for the Helix peddle drive toward the cost of the helix motor drive system, $800.00 for either the Radar 115 or the ATAK 120.

Is there going to be a difference in speed or paddling efficiency between the Radar115 and the ATAK 120?

Also any opinions on if the Torquedo drive 403 lightweight? $200.00 less than the WS helix motor drive and seems easier to lower and raise when needed. Also would not take up deck space and allow you to use the pod for other electronics.

where are you located Aggie? Full disclosure, i haven't paddled the 115 yet but the feedback ive gotten is that there isnt much difference in paddling between the two. I have played around with the Helix motor and I will say that its awesome. the throttle style control is pretty cool. It isnt for me personally, i am going with the pedal drive, but i know a lot of guys that love it. I cant speak about the difference between the Torquedo and the helix but your local dealer should. You can always contact Dave or Aris at Mariner Sails, they know everything

Located near San Antonio. Just curious the big differences between the Radar 115 and the ATAK 120, besides $300. Similar specs, no major difference in paddling, both stable enough to stand and fish, both excellent fishing platforms for various fishing situations, and both have options of paddle or helix motor. Obviously the Radar allows 3 options , paddle, pedal and motor. So does the decision for angler's deciding between the ATAK and Radar is the helix pedal drive?

Good info and those extra dimension stats make sense to me!!!

Thanks! Brad