Wilderness Systems Tempest 165, 170, and 180, and roto molded Tempest 165 and RM Tempest 170
| MODEL | L E N G T H |
W I D T H |
H E I G H T |
W E I G H T |
FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tempest Pro 165 | 16.5' | 21.5" | 11.5" | 57 | 3 bulkheads & 3 Kayak Sport rubber hatches, front & rear oval + round day |
| Tempest 165 RM | 16.5' | 21.5" | 11.5" | 61 | 3 bulkheads & 3 rubber hatches, front & rear oval + round day |
| Tempest Pro 170 | 17' | 22" | 12" | 59 | 3 bulkheads & 3 Kayak Sport rubber hatches, front & rear oval + round day |
| Tempest 170 RM | 17' | 22" | 12" | 62 | 3 bulkheads & 3 rubber hatches, front & rear oval + round day |
| Tempest Pro 180 | 18' | 23" | 13" | 64 | 3 bulkheads & 3 Kayak Sport rubber hatches, front & rear oval + round day |
Wilderness Systems is one of the biggest, possibly the biggest, manufacturer of roto-molded kayaks in the world. When plastic Tempests were first introduced, there were issues with their hatches and quality control. But the roto-molded Tempests (available in the 165 and 170 models) have evolved a lot since then, and the quality of the plastic Tempests are now second to none. We consider the late model versions of the plastic Tempests (those built since 2009 when the oval rear hatch was redesigned to make it more secure) to be the best roto-molded all-around sea kayaks available. Tempests have the most comfortable, most adjustable seats, knee/thigh braces, and hip braces of any sea kayak. We also feel their keyhole cockpit design and deck rigging are the best. We especially like their well thought out retractable end toggle handles (handles you don't have to be afraid to use to lift and carry the kayak), and their safety lines for outrigger self rescues are excellent. Tempests are easy to Eskimo roll (making learning to roll a snap) and great handling kayaks in wind a waves. If you want to do rock garden paddling and surfing in full-on sea kayaks, a plastic Tempest is the kayak to use. If you are looking for your first sea kayak and can't afford a good fiberglass one, buy a roto-molded Tempest - you'll be way better off with a plastic Tempest than a cheap glass kayak.
The 2007 and later Tempest Pro series ("Pro" is their term for the fiberglass and Kevlar versions which are available in three sizes) come with Kayak Sport hatches (same brand of hatches used on NDK and many other popular British kayaks). This improvement made the Tempest Pro series a much more sea worthy kayak. In 2009 production of the composite kayaks (i.e. fiberglass) moved to China and the lay-up was changed. The current production philosophy (since 2009) for the composite versions of the WS Tempest is to make them lighter and lower priced than comparable sea kayaks. Obviously you can't get something for nothing; so these fiberglass and Kevlar models are not for people who punish their kayaks and look for strength and durability. For those who want to play rough we suggest the roto-molded versions of the Tempest 165 and Tempest 170 (unfortunately the Tempest 180 is only available in glass) which are truly great kayaks.
The Tempest series has a combination of tracking and maneuverability that makes it a winner. Whether choosing your first sea kayak or upgrading from an older boat, the Tempest is an outstanding all around, state-of-the-art, sea kayak with enough storage for multi-week trips yet playful enough for to make day trips fun too.
The fit of a given size Tempest is nearly the same regardless of whether it is roto-molded or a composite model. As a rough guide, we find:
The Tempest 165 is best suited for paddlers 5' 3" to 5' 9", 120-170 lbs
The Tempest 170 is best suited for paddlers 5' 6" to 6' 3", 170 - 225 lbs
The Tempest 180 is best suited for paddlers 5' 9" to 6' 6", 210-250 lbs
Tempests all come standard with the latest features you would expect in a top-of-the-line sea kayak (i.e. retractable skeg, day hatch, recessed deck fittings & reflective safety lines, rubber hatches, foam seat pad, adjustable back rest).
The Tempests all share the same overall styling -- an "Americanized" variation on the smart looks and proven seaworthiness of the Greenland/British look, but without the back-breaking weight or tippyness usually associated with kayaks of this genre. The Tempest has a moderately chined hull that carves turns quickly and handles well in rough seas without the added drag of a harder chine. Tempests come standard with features such as: a retractable skeg* with state-of-the-art precise, smooth slider bar/cable control, front and rear hatches (plus a day hatch), front and rear bulkheads (three bulkheads), recessed deck fittings for safety lines, self-rescue bungees and chart holder bungees, keyhole cockpit with good hip and knee braces, and a comfortable back band that you can adjust while seated in the kayak -- even on the water.
Tempests also feature a day hatch to keep your lunch and other items close at hand. All three hatches are rubber hatches that seal like food containers. The bow and day hatches are round, while the stern compartment is accessed through large oval hatch.
*A skeg looks like the fin on the bottom of a surf board except on sea kayaks this skeg is designed to retract into a trunk on the bottom of the hull. With the skeg up, the Tempests are very maneuverable; put the skeg down and Tempests track straight even in side wind conditions where most kayaks without rudders weathercock (turn up wind). This combination of good hull design and a retractable skeg are fast making rudders (and all their problems and limitations) obsolete on sea kayaks (at least for people who know how to paddle).
Call the Kayak Academy to arrange a demo.
206 527-1825