Wilderness Systems Tempest 165 Review

Sponsored by Wilderness Systems

This summer, I’ll be sea kayaking from Washington to Alaska 1300 miles along the Inside Passage, and my weapon of choice is a Wilderness Systems Tempest 165.

The first sea kayak I ever sat in was a Wilderness Systems boat, and I was beyond stoked when Wilderness Systems reached out to me this spring. I had already decided the Tempest was the boat for me this summer, bought a boat and loved how it paddled, so partnering with Wilderness Systems was a natural fit!

I grew up paddling Wilderness Systems boats, and have pointed plenty of new paddlers toward Wilderness Systems, and I am stoked to live out of a Tempest this summer!

Why Choose Wilderness Systems?

When I was 14 visiting my uncle in Wisconsin, he and a friend took my sister and I out on Lake Winnebago in sea kayaks, both in Wilderness Systems boats. It was a beautiful day with light chop and sunshine, and though at the time I didn’t know what chop was, I was hooked.

In 2017, I hopped back on the water with my uncle and his paddling friends at Big Island Lakes Wilderness in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and did a two-night paddling trip out of a Wilderness Systems Pungo 125, an excellent kayak for flat water paddlers looking for a versatile boat that can carry gear.

Between the call of loons in the morning, swimming in the cold clean water, and that absolute feeling of joy you can only find in the wild, I was hooked on overnight kayaking.

Since then, I’ve been a paddling guide in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior, kayaked the shores of Isle Royale, explored the Pictured Rocks, paddled parts of Lake Michigan, and spent ample time living out of boats and enjoying the moods of the Great Lakes from the water. I’ve both trained in new paddlers and taken true beginners out to enjoy Lake Superior for the first time, all thanks to the great experiences I had with my uncle and his friends, and their willingness to lend me a great boat.

Why the Tempest 165 is Perfect for Smaller Paddlers on Long Trips

I’ve paddled more boats than I can count and was very picky when looking for a boat to live out of for three months.

It had to be seaworthy— preferably longer than 16 feet, with sealed bulkheads (the pockets of air separate from the cockpit that make a sea kayak a sea kayak). I wanted a day hatch, and skeg. Since our route would involve rock beach landings, I wanted a plastic boat that could handle a little abuse. I needed a boat that would track well in wind, and a boat that fit my small frame.

I also wanted a boat that is responsive and easy to edge (hold on its side to facilitate a turn).

In March, I met a lovely kayaking couple looking to swap out their Wilderness System Tempests— a 165 and 170— for the more stable Wilderness Systems Tsunami and willing to sell me their boats. I could not have been more stoked to find a gently used Tempest 165, a boat that checks off every single one of my boxes!

On the fence about buying a Tempest? Check out the reviews on paddling.com, the go-to site for kayak buyers here.

Plastic Versus Fiberglass Sea Kayaks

My usual ride is a Valley Avocet LV (discontinued), a fiberglass boat meant more for playing in surf & weekends than extended overnight kayaking trips. Fiberglass boats are awesome, usually faster than plastic boats and easier to repair, but for the Inside Passage I wanted a plastic boat.

Plastic boats are heavier but can handle occasional rock beach landings with minimal damage. I’ve already done several repairs on my fiberglass boat and wanted to be able to explore shorelines up close and personal without working about leaving yellow gelcoat on the rocks. While plastic boats are slower, they aren’t enough slower to make a huge difference for most paddlers. While plastic boats are heavier, they’re usually okay to drag up the beach rather than shoulder carry.

Plastic boats are usually the right choice beginner kayakers, paddlers who don’t have access to fiberglass/gelcoat repair materials, and paddlers who are not gentle with their boats (me).

What’s Better for Kayaking, a Rudder or a Skeg?

Wilderness Systems offers the Tempest sea kayak with a skeg, and the Tsunami (see difference between the Tsunami and Tempest below) with a rudder only.

A rudder is perfect for paddlers who want extra boat control and the ability to steer using their feet. It’s ideal for beginners, or anyone looking for more steering capability in conditions. The downsides of a rudder are the cables tend to break (easy to fix), they can be a hazard for paddlers trying a scramble self-rescue, and the rudder cables themselves can be a hazard to rescuees in rough water.

A skeg on the other hand is a retractable fin located in the stern of the kayak that will help a boat track straight in following seas. While a skeg cable can get kinked and rocks can obstruct skeg use, appropriate boat awareness can usually limit damage to a skeg. All cables are internal, eliminating the risks during rough water rescue, and the skeg itself is no obstacle in a scramble rescue.

Skeg boats can be harder to control and steer for beginner paddlers, and necessitate a paddler learn to steer with their paddle and via edging. Personally, I would recommend a rudder boat to most beginner paddlers, and a skeg boat for anyone looking to expand their paddling skillset into dynamic waters.

What’s the Best Sea Kayak for Beginners?

This summer, I took a few friends out sea kayaking on Lake Superior in Wilderness Systems Tsunamis. The Wilderness Systems Tsunami is one of the best sea kayaks on the market for true beginners.

The Tsunami is one of the most stable sea kayaks out there, with ample space for storing gear for short overnights. It’s the perfect boat for paddlers looking to test out big lakes or seas, a boat for short overnight trips and day trips, and a boat that works well for calm rivers and small lakes. Assisted T-Rescues or paddle float self-rescue will work best with the Tsunami.

For a beginner friendly boat with room to grow, the Wilderness Systems Tempest is one of the best boats on the market. It has excellent initial stability and good secondary stability, handles well in rough water, and can haul gear on multi-day trips.

How to Find the Perfect Sea Kayak for You

Picking out a sea kayak is a bit like picking out a pair of jeans— what works for me isn’t going to be a perfect fit for everyone.

I’m about 5’4” and prefer a playful boat to a stable one— the Tempest 165 fits me and my needs pretty much perfectly. A taller person will likely need a larger boat, like the Tempest 170 or Tsunami 175.

In general, boat width corresponds to initially stability or how “tippy” a boat feels, and boat length at the water line corresponds to speed.

My Experience with the Tempest 165

The Tempest came highly recommended by an experienced guide and ACA Instructor I know, so I was happy to take a leap of faith on the boat, and the Tempest has not disappointed!

I was able to take the Tempest out a few times this winter and found it to track well unloaded and quite well when loaded (typical of most sea kayaks). Since the Tempest is plastic, I was able to have a grand old time beaching it on ice flows and playing around in the shallows. The Tempest edges well and is everything a paddler could ask for in a plastic, expedition-worthy boat.

While the Tempest leaks a little at the cockpit, in breaking waves/when rolling, I have yet to find a boat that doesn’t leak a little around the cockpit in those conditions.

Overall, I’m stoked to test out the Tempest in some more extreme conditions on the Inside Passage this summer.

What Kayak Should I Buy?

For the best kayak for mostly inland lakes and rivers, with potential to overnight camp out of on calm water, pick a Wilderness Systems Pungo.

For the best sea kayak for beginners looking to get out on the water in a stable, versatile boat, check out a Wilderness Systems Tsunami.

For a performance sea kayak excellent for overnight trips, dynamic waters, and guiding, choose a Wilderness Systems Tempest in a size that fits your needs.

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