Wilderness Systems
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
$999Cheaper
Best Kayaks · head-to-head
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 vs Old Town Sportsman PDL 106
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 is cheaper at $999. Every spec and price links to its source.
Old Town
Old Town Sportsman PDL 106
$2699.99
Which is better: the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 or Old Town Sportsman PDL 106?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 is the cheaper at $999.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 | Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $999 | $2699.99 |
| Brand | Wilderness Systems | Old Town |
| Released | — | — |
| Kayak type | sit-on-top | sit-on-top |
| Propulsion | paddle | pedal |
| Seating capacity | 1 | — |
| Length inches | 147 | — |
| Width inches | 31 | 36 |
| Weight pounds | 64.5 | 95 |
| Max capacity pounds | 350 | 450 |
| Construction material | rotomolded-polyethylene | rotomolded-polyethylene |
| Hatch count | — | — |
| Rod holder count | — | — |
| Adjustable seat | Yes | Yes |
| Tracking aid | none | — |
Sources — Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120: confluenceoutdoor.com (verified 2026-07-11). Old Town Sportsman PDL 106: oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 and Old Town Sportsman PDL 106?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 12). Matching specs are omitted.
- Propulsion: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 paddle vs Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 pedal
- Width inches: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 31 vs Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 36
- Weight pounds: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 64.5 vs Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 95
- Max capacity pounds: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 350 vs Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 450
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
GearJunkie (whitelisted) hands-on tested this exact model, naming the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 its Best Sit-On-Top Kayak with an 8.7/10 rating. They praise its stability, easy entry, and highly adjustable Phase 3 Air Pro seat, while flagging the 64.5-lb weight and sub-par glide. Only one whitelisted source covers the 120, so no cross-source comparison is possible. No measured test benchmarks were reported (on-page specs are manufacturer figures). (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Stable, easy to enter, and paddles predictably (testers even stood up in it); Highly adjustable, comfortable Phase 3 Air Pro seat; Smart features and storage: locking dry hatch, accessory rails, 350-lb capacity for heavy kit.
Flagged: Heavy at 64.5 lbs; benefits from a kayak cart; Glide/speed isn't its strong suit.
Old Town Sportsman PDL 106
No sourced tester review yet.