Contributed by JR Pate
If you’re reading this you could Google Wilderness Commander 140 and get far more intelligent information than what you are about to read. I can only share with you my experience.
I’m kinda short and stumpy. I’m not talking movie extra as a Hobbit but I have short legs and it always seems a long reach to the pedals. I had neck surgery almost 2 years ago and a herniated disc surgery before that. I found whether it was a kayak or a car; sitting with my legs bent is the most comfortable. My wife swears she married someone who is falling apart.
With all my ailments, I still love to kayak and the sound a paddle makes as it hits the water. I don’t need a metal boat for duck hunting and another for fishing. I don’t need a small boat for some waters and a big boat for others. I’m not really good at backing up a trailer and want to miss the embarrassment at the boat ramp all together. I want to be able to load all my gear and complain every time I unload my gear about why I brought so much. For all these reasons and more I paddle a Wilderness Commander 140.
Let’s start at the rear section with real world dimensions. When duck hunting, the rear can carry easily 2 dozen decoys in the bag plus my dry box with shells. Your favorite deer climber would fit here or in the front. I like carrying a Blackpak, Backwater Paddle, Hawg Trough and net when fishing during the summer in this section with some room to spare. I could squeeze a soft sided cooler back there behind the Blackpak but I like a hard cooler because I don’t want my sandwiches squished. Reaching that far is tough for my not so Hobbit height. If you’re still trying to figure how long the Commander 140 rear space is – break your paddle down into 2 pieces and that would be pretty close. That is where I pack my paddles to ensure they are not left at home.
The rear and the front section are separated by the Commander’s Perch seat. This is where I sit unless I’m duck hunting. Then it’s into the low seat. The Perch seat allows for me to sit with my knees bent and my legs under me instead of flat and in front. I compare this to the seating in a Toyota Tacoma vs Toyota Tundra. I was concerned at first about not having a back rest but it’s so easy to stand up in the Commander to fish. I’m talking grown man twerking in a lily pad field type standing with some witnesses that probably wish they hadn’t seen it. I spend more time standing so not having a back rest with the Perch seat is a small sacrifice for the overall satisfaction with the kayak. I actually don’t carry the low seat with me unless I’m duck hunting or carrying the kids with me. If you have kids having both seats is nice for bringing them along.
From the seat forward is where the Wilderness Commander 140 excels for me over other kayaks. I want the room to do what I want with it. I don’t need a hatch, fancy foot rests or even lot of room to stand up. When fishing I stand up and then sit down or the occasional twerk – I’m not walking around. I like having all the open room in front of my seat to add a dashboard, cooler, waders, deer climber or even place to throw the decoys after a morning hunt. By providing an open platform I’m able to meet the needs of more than just fishing. If you’re still unsure with how much room the front section of the Commander 140 provides – grab your favorite Medium Heavy rod and that will be pretty close. Often on road trips and limited space in the truck this is where my rods will ride with plenty of room.
Hopefully I provided you some different insight about the Wilderness Commander 140. It’s not a salt water fishing boat and that’s ok because I’m scared of sharks. I would much rather have a smooth glide from no scupper holes as I drag it through the woods with the chance of a snake bite to my favorite bass hole.