Tandem kayaks are one of the best ways to share an experience on the water. Wilderness Systems have recently launched the Targa 130T tandem kayak, the big sister of the Targa 100, a single, recreational, sit-on-top kayak. The Targa 130T is a double kayak with a design that allows you to make your time on the water as fun, social, and enjoyable as possible. So how did the Targa 130T fare when we tested it on the water? Let's see in another in-depth, non-biased review.
Wilderness Systems Targa 130T Specifications
Price: $1329 (USD)
Length: 13’
Width: 36”
Weight: 99 LBS (45 KG)
Capacity: 450 LBS (204 KG)
Best Use: Recreational
The Targa 130T features:
- A portable cooler
- An elevated stern camp-style seat
- A reversible bow framed seat
- A bow storage hood
- Adjustable footrests
- 4 carry handles
Keeping the Peace in a Tandem Kayak
Tandem kayaks are sometimes known as “divorce kayaks”. So when I took the Targa 130T out I was testing both the kayak and my marriage! I’m glad to say even after testing the kayak I am still happily married.
But let's talk for a moment about why people call tandem kayaks “divorce kayaks”. Paddling a tandem kayak can cause arguments between even partners and close friends. This is often because people do not recognize the different reasons why they want to take a kayak out. For some people, like myself, it is to push myself to the limit in various ways, whereas, for example, my wife gets on the water to relax.
To enjoy your time out on the water in a tandem kayak you need to make sure that you communicate with your partner about what you both want to get out of the paddle. That way you can stay on the same page and have a great day on the water! This is why when my wife and I took the Targa 130T out for a test paddle we went for a gentle, relaxing paddle and had a great day.
Portability
The Wilderness Systems Targa 130T is a 13′ kayak which is not very long. You can slide this into the back of a pickup truck. So it is portable in that it is short.
That said, it does weigh 99 LBS. This means it is not easy to carry around. Even with two strong people, my wife and I, carrying the Targa 130T to the water was difficult. For a kayak this heavy I would recommend using a kayak cart to make moving it a lot more manageable. What’s more, if you have to put this kayak on roof racks on your car you will need at least two strong people. It is a very heavy boat.
Stability
Despite having elevated seats, the Targa 130T is very stable. At 36″ wide it is a wide kayak so will provide a stable platform. Kayaks such as the Targa 130T are not designed to be edged, so you can see them more as giant floating docks that you can paddle!
Comfort
This is a big, wide, open platform, so is very comfortable. It is especially comfortable for your legs as the kayak is wide enough to sit in any position you want.
The seats in the Targa 130T are very comfortable. They are adjustable and have great lower back support. The fact that they are elevated and framed suspension seats also means that they conform to butts and are super comfortable.
A great aspect of the Targa 130T is that the bow seat can turn around. This means that you can float around on the water while facing each other. There are no more conversations to the back of someone's head in the Targa 130T. So when Nicole, my wife, got tired, she just turned the seat around, put it into lazy mode, and laid back whilst I paddled. This is a great feature to allow people to spend time together in a comfortable and friendly way.
Performance
Is the Targa 130T a performance machine? At 36″ wide it is not. This kayak has a pontoon hull that pushes a lot of water. It is very heavy and has a lot of drag. That said, there is a nice bow keel that slices through the water and helps the kayak track. So, for the type of kayak that it is, the performance of the Targa 130T is solid. It is not designed to be a performance kayak but it is still enjoyable to paddle.
Features
The Wilderness Systems Targa 130T has a few different features. One of the key features is the reversible bow seat, which we have already established is awesome.
The other key feature is the integrated cooler. This is a full cooler that sits in the stern of the kayak. It does take up a lot of the storage space that might be necessary when taking the Targa 130T on a kayak camping trip but is an excellent feature for people who want to use it for a day trip. One thing to note is that you should take the cooler out when driving with the kayak as it is likely to fly out of the kayak on the road otherwise.
The other feature is the bow hood. It is designed to shed water and keep stuff underneath it dry. This doesn't really appeal to me as it is such a thick piece of plastic that it dramatically reduces the space underneath the hood. It just isn't something that I get any value out of. But this is by no means a dealbreaker, it's more just personal preference.
Value
The Targa 130T costs $1329 (USD), but is that good value? Well, I think it is. This is about what you would expect to pay for a high-quality kayak with comfortable framed seats, foot pegs, and an in-built cooler.
Who Is the Targa 130T For?
This kayak is for a variety of people. First and foremost it is for people who want a stable kayak more than they want a performance kayak. It is for people who want a kayak that they can use as a single or a double kayak. Importantly, this is a social boat. It is designed to let you spend quality time on the water with friends and family.
I did a review of the single paddler version of this kayak last year. Check out The Wilderness Systems Targa 100 Review article.
PFDs/Life Jackets: NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Kayaks: Wilderness Systems Targa 130t
Paddle: Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon 2-piece
Shirts and Tops: NRS Guide Short Sleeved Men’s Shirt
Paddling Shorts: NRS Benny Board Shorts
Sunglasses: Wiley X
