This page will address ALL model years of production for Wilderness Systems Tarpon kayaks, solo and tandem. Skim and Scroll Down as needed.
This is INFORMATION for your reference and not a product to purchase. Please read fully and click on the links below to the replacement parts. Find the Serial Number and year your kayak was made with this link.
Wilderness Systems produced 3 major Sit-on-top Seat Systems (CSS, Phase3 and AirPro) and two minor systems (Zone and original) commonly found on their Tarpon kayaks. Most of the Early Model Tarpon kayaks, circa 2001-2008, did not always come with Seat Pads*. These were often an after-market add-on accessory item as seen in the photo to the right (more info on that below).
The Tarpon Tandem kayaks are a little different than solo kayaks. Keep Reading. Look below for information on two-man Tarpon kayaks.
Important! Wilderness Systems does not normally sell complete seats. This includes AirPro and Phase 3 seats as well as some of the underlying structural seat parts such as the seat bottom pan. Use the Contact Us Page as needed.
The Original Tarpon (aka 160) had a very different seat than what is common today (see photo at the top of this page). The back support can be restored with the Tarpon Seat Back TLC Kit, the bottom pad with the Tech Lift Seat Pad. The Original Version Tarpon has two, same size, large hatches, with 3 straps over each hatch cover.
Some older Tarpon kayaks, made before 2009, can be retrofitted with standard Sit-On-Top Seats* if this is desirable to you scroll down to the bottom of this page to read about it, and Contact Us as needed about the install. The rare Tarpon 120 Ultralite can only be outfitted with a standard Sit-On-Top Seat.
The Basic Seat Systems Break Down As:
Seat Pads* (2001-2005)
CSS Comfort System Seat* (2006-2008)
Zone Seating* circa 2008, some Tarpon kayaks, not all.
Phase3 Seating* (2009-2012)
AirPro Outfitting* (2013 to date)
More information on these seat systems is below, keep reading.
Early Model Tarpon kayaks, circa 2001-2008
Tarpon kayaks, circa 2001-2008, did not always come with Seat Pads. The seat area was bare, but was molded in a manner that one could sit in the cockpit with out any other additional padding or accessory.
The Seat Pads* most commonly used to restore, or improve, early model Tarpon kayaks circa 2001-2005 are; Tour Back and Tour Bottom pads, or the New Town Seat Pad Set, as well as the Harmony Seat Pad. If your back support is a color (not black) it is best to go with these seat pads.
Other parts to consider would be the Tarpon Seat Strap, the Tarpon Seat Clip, and the Seat Bungee Kit.
CSS Comfort System Seat* circa 2006-2009
The CSS Comfort System Seat parts most commonly needed for Tarpons circa 2006-2009, are; the CSS Back Pad, and the WS Seat Pad. FYI: DO NOT Drill any holes in your kayak for the WS Seat Pad. If you do not have pre-molded holes, for Push Rivets select a self-adhesive or strap-on seat pad from the list above. TCSS (Tarpon CSS Seat)
If your underlying plastic back support structure is black (not a color) it is best to go with the CSS Back Pad. See also; the Tarpon Seat Strap, the Tarpon Seat Clip, the Seat Bungee Kit and the Tarpon Seat Assembly. See the Top View diagram of the SOT CSS Seat.
The Tarpon 130T tandem kayak (2004-2013) takes the Seat Pads* listed above and-or the CSS Comfort System Seat parts through out that date range (the two-man Tarpon 130T kayak was never outfitted with a Phase3 seat). The Tarpon 130T will best be best served by the Generic Seat Strap Kit. Read the Zone section below for more information on the Tarpon 130T.
Zone Seating* circa 2008
This odd seating system is only found on some Tarpon kayaks, circa 2008, both one-man and two-man versions. You can easily identify this seat system by looking for the yellow Zone Butterfly adjustment lever on the rear side of the back support. If that is gone look for the Zone Spine.
The Zone Seating Parts* most applicable to Tarpon kayaks circa 2008 are; the Seat Back Cover 2008, the WS Seat Pad, the Zone Seat Back Assembly, the Zone Butterfly and Zone Bracket. This includes some, but not all Tarpon 130T tandem kayaks.
See other related parts; the Tarpon Seat Strap and the Seat Bungee Kit.
Phase3 Seating* (2009-2012)
See the complete overview; Phase3 Seat Info Page for a full understanding of Phase3 Seating Parts (2009-2012) such as the PhaseB Back Cover and the PhaseB Seat Bottom Cushion. TP3S (Tarpon Phase3 Seat)
The Tarpon line of kayaks that are outfitted with a Phase3 seat have a seat strap that is made up from the Phase3 Leg Lifter Strap + about 10-12 feet of 1 Inch Webbing. The Web Strap Pull Tabs are optional. See also Seat Bungee Kit.
The underlying seat structure, a half moon seat pan, is the primary support structure. Under this seat pan is a hull molding that would not be comfortable to sit on without the full Phase3 Seat Sytem on top of it. As such Tarpon kayaks, made 2009-2012 are not ideal candidates for the application of standard sit-on-top seats. If it is absolutely necessary to retrofit a Tarpon made 2009-2012 it can be done, but a specific plan for doing so has not been made.
AirPro Outfitting* (2013 to date)
See the complete overview; AirPro Seat Info Page for a full understanding of AirPro Outfitting Parts* (2013 to date) such as the AirPro Back Cover and the AirPro Seat Bottom Cushion. TAPS (Tarpon AirPro Seat)
The Tarpon line of kayaks that are outfitted with an AirPro seat have a seat back adjustment strap that is dependent on on the model year; Seat Strap (2013-2018) or Seat Strap (2019 to date). See also D-Rings, Leg Lifter Strap.and Seat Bungee Kit.
The Tarpon 135T tandem kayak was introduced in 2016. It is outfitted with AirPro Outfitting.
The underlying AirPro seat structure, a half moon seat pan, is the primary support structure. Under this seat pan is a hull molding that would not be comfortable to sit on without the full AirPro Seat Sytem on top of it. As such Tarpon kayaks, made 2013 to date are not ideal candidates for the application of standard sit-on-top seats. If it is absolutely necessary to retrofit a Tarpon made 2013 and later it can be done, but a specific plan for doing so has not been made.
Convert older model Tarpon kayaks, circa 2001-2008 to standard Sit-On-Top Seats*
To convert to standard Sit-On-Top Seats* (best for older models) please read the related articles: How to Use Backrests, Knee Straps and Paddle Leashes and How to Choose Backrests, Knee Straps and Paddle Leashes.
Expect to add a pair of Strap Eyes to each side of the cockpit (about where your knees would be) and a second pair of Strap Eyes (behind the seat, about 8-10 inches and outboard). Any original strap anchoring points are not likely to be in ideal locations for the use of standard Sit-On-Top Seats.
Use the Contact Us Page as needed for additional information concerning standard Sit-On-Top Seats for Wilderness Systems Tarpon kayaks.
This page addresses Wilderness System kayak models; Tarpon 100, Tarpon 120, Tarpon 120 Ultralite, Tarpon 130T, Tarpon 130X, Tarpon 135T, Tarpon 140, Tarpon 160, Tarpon 160i, original Tarpon, Tarpon Angler models, as well as the Ripper and some versions of Ride such as the early model Ride 135.
