Wilderness Systems Tsunami 125

Size, weight, capacity

At just 12’ 9″ (388 cm) long and 26” (66 cm) wide, the Tsunami 125 is geared towards small to medium-sized paddlers looking for a shorter, easier-to-transport kayak. It is stable and easy to move around on meandering stretches of river. Considering the shorter length, this kayak maintains speed well and you don’t have to paddle hard to keep up with longer kayaks.

The Tsunami 125 weighs in at 51 lbs (23 kg), potentially too heavy to be loading it onto your car single-handedly, but it balances well if you put it on your shoulder and move it around.

The capacity of the Tsunami 125 is 300 lbs (136 kg), which is more than enough for small to medium paddlers, even with camping gear. Bear in mind that if you’re nearing the capacity limit and want to go away for a few days at a time you may want to consider the longer model, the Tsunami 140.

Features

At either end of the Tsunami 125 are ergonomically shaped handles made from soft rubber to make this boat easy to carry as a pair.

Running the length of either side of the kayak, Wilderness Systems have rigged static, strong deck lines, with bungee crossing the top deck and two removable mesh storage bags for stowing kit on the water. Meanwhile for kit you want to keep dry, the Tsunami has two storage hatches. The covers for these are both curved slightly to shed water and make it easier to seal the hatches fully. Two bulkheads seal off these hatch areas to ensure your kit stays dry.

The Tsunami prioritises paddler comfort and the Wilderness Systems Phase 3 AirPro Tour seat means you can paddle this boat all day long. Adjustable Slidelock foot pegs help to keep you upright in the seat, while padded thigh braces hugely increase control and connection to the kayak.

The bow and stern of the hull have a strong v-shape, while under the seat the hull is much flatter, with only a slight v to it. This design means that the boat remains stable and relaxed but still tracks effectively through the open water. Wilderness Systems increased the volume that sits above the waterline for this model, making this boat even more stable and spacious than previous versions.

At the very rear is a slot where you can fit an aftermarket rudder system and on the underside there is a skid plate; a reinforced piece of plastic to protect your kayak as you drag it up the beach.

Performance

The Tsunami 125 is a day touring kayak which is perfect for all levels of paddlers who want more than a recreational kayak offers. With the stability and access of a beginner kayak but the advanced features of a much more technical boat, you can progress easily in this kayak and expect to enjoy it for a long time.