Wilderness Systems Tempest 170

Size, Weight, Capacity

The Wilderness Systems 170 is designed to cover long distances efficiently. At 17’ (518 cm) long, it offers great speed that you can easily maintain throughout the day. The kayak is only 22” (56 cm) wide, but don’t be afraid that the Tempest 170 lacks stability. The aggressive shape at either end of the hull gives way to a flatter area under the paddler, offering enough primary stability to relax on the water.

With a capacity of 325 lbs (147 kg), the Tempest 170 has space for most paddlers and plenty of gear, whether you are heading out for a short trip or a multi-day adventure. Smaller paddlers may prefer a slightly shorter model, the Tempest 165.

Unsurprisingly for a kayak of this length, the Tempest 170 isn’t the lightest boat around. That said, it’s only 57 lbs (26 kg) and is well designed to balance on your shoulder if you choose to carry it alone. Bear in mind, though, that it might be difficult to load on to your vehicle without some help.

Features

Wilderness Systems pride themselves on ensuring that their kayaks are not only packed full of useful features, but can actually be paddled comfortably for long days on the water. The Tempest 170 is no exception. It boasts the Phase 3 AirPro XP seat, which Wilderness Systems claim to be the most comfortable seat on the market. Add to this the adjustable, padded thigh braces and Slidelock foot system and you’ve got a kayak outfitted to the highest specifications. The Tempest 170 is really comfortable and adds a new dimension of control to your paddling experience.

With such a high capacity, it would be a shame if this boat didn’t have plenty of storage, and Wilderness Systems have not disappointed. Three hatches, one bow and two stern, are separated by watertight bulkheads and sealed with domed covers to displace water and keep your gear dry. These separate hatches allow you to organise your kit and keep the boat balanced so that your efficiency is not compromised.

The top deck of the kayak is rounded to effectively shed any water which might wash over you. It’s also lined with reflective deck lines around the edges and crossed with strong bungee to stow any gear you need to access on the water. Just in front of the bow hatch is a compass recess to aid your navigation on open water.

An adjustable skeg system at the back of the kayak, controlled from the cockpit, allows you to make changes on the go, whether you want straight line speed or the ability to turn quickly and easily, depending on your environment.

Comfortable soft touch grab handles front and rear complete the enormous array of features on this kayak and make it easy to carry.

Performance

The Tempest 170 performs extremely well in all sorts of water, which is great for a kayak designed to fit such a wide range of paddlers. Usually when kayaks are ‘one size fits most’ they lose an element of control and comfort, but the Tempest has managed to retain these and throw a load of progressive features into the mix too.