Bonafide XTR 130 Review: The Kayak That Shook the Internet

Quick Specs (aka the stuff that matters)

• Length: 12'7"

• Width: 40.2" (widest at the bow)

• Depth: 15"

• Hull Weight: 155 lbs

• Fully Rigged Weight: 170 lbs

• Max Capacity: 730 lbs

• Base Price: $2,899 (before tax or motor)

First Impressions: Built Like a Tank (Literally)

The Bonafide XTR 130 isn’t your typical throw-and-go kayak. This thing's a tank — both in weight and construction. It has that big-water feel. The kind of platform that makes you feel like you’re standing on a stable deck, not balancing on a glorified pool toy.

Standout Features:

• Swivel seat that feels more bass boat than kayak

• Wide-open walkable deck (you can literally stand on the front hatch)

• Motor mounting options at both bow and stern

• Powerlink plates for clean wiring setups

• Massive integrated storage

• A wild number of insert points for full rigging flexibility

• Forward-facing sonar friendly

Pros: What Bonafide Got Right

🚀 Tournament-Ready Out the Box
With bow and stern motor options, pass-through wiring ports, and unlimited rigging potential, this platform is built for serious competitors.

🔍 Ridiculous Stability
You can fight a “lunker” or chase down a “ditch pickle” without ever tipping. It’s basically a floating dock.

🏡 Convertible Seating
Pop the center hatch and mount a second seat to fish tandem-style — perfect for kids, friends, or four-legged copilots.

⚖️ Walkable Front Hatch
Sight-fishing? Filming for YouTube? The reinforced front hatch is strong enough to stand on and rig gear directly to it.

🚤 Built for Power
Bow-mount your MotorGuide Xi3, stern-mount a Newport NK300, or even go dual motor (outside of most tournament rules, of course). This yak can handle it.

Cons: Let’s Keep It Real

❌ No Rudder Included
For a kayak this premium, it’s wild that the rudder is still an add-on.

⚡️ Just the Shell, Nothing More
No motor, no battery, no graph — you’re starting with a blank slate. A rigged-out version could easily run you $5K+.

🏋️ Heavy as Heck
At 170 lbs rigged, you’re going to want a trailer. Technically you could load it into a truck bed, but unless you're part mountain goat, it’s not fun.

⛵️ No Built-In Transducer Mount
You’ll need to mount your fishfinder transducer off the back, which can be a pain if you're dragging or loading it often.

The Internet Freakout: Why So Mad?

• Some folks say it’s not a “real kayak,” just a plastic bass boat.

• Others think you’d be better off buying a Jon boat for that price.

• Tournament anglers don’t love the dual-motor setup, since most rules still only allow one.

• And of course, the $3K base price kicked off a comment war online.

But here’s the truth: if you’ve been searching for this exact kind of customizable, stable, motor-ready platform… the noise doesn’t matter.

Who’s It For?

This kayak is perfect for:

• Serious tournament anglers (if you check your motor rulebooks)

• Tinkerers and DIY riggers who want total setup freedom

• Weekend warriors chasing that comfort/luxury combo

• Older anglers or anyone prioritizing deck stability

• High-tech fishermen running multiple graphs or sonar systems

Not ideal for:

• Paddlers who hate motors

• Budget buyers or beginners

• Anyone trying to rooftop their yak alone

Bonafide XTR 130 vs. Old Town Autopilot 136

Bonafide XTR 130:

• ~$2,899 base price

• 170 lbs rigged

• No motor or rudder included

• Extreme stability

• Not paddle-friendly

• Graph-ready with tons of rigging potential

Old Town Autopilot 136:

• ~$4,500 (motor included)

• 134 lbs rigged

• Includes rudder + Spot-Lock Minn Kota

• Also very stable

• Easy to paddle when needed

• Fully ready out of the box

If you want plug-and-play simplicity, Old Town might be the better fit.
If you want to build your fishing machine from scratch, the XTR is your canvas.

Final Take: Is It Worth It?

If you're looking to fish hard, rig wild, and never feel cramped again, the XTR 130 delivers. It’s built like a bass boat with kayak DNA.

Just know: you’re paying for premium potential — not convenience.

Whether that’s a win or a dealbreaker? That’s on you.

FAQ

Q: Can you paddle it?
A: You can, but you really won’t want to. Motor is the move.

Q: Can you use two motors in tournaments?
A: Most trails limit to one. Check your local rules.

Q: Can you load this in a truck bed?
A: Technically yes. Realistically? Trailer recommended.

Q: Is it beginner-friendly?
A: Not really. This is more for experienced anglers who know how to rig and run gear.

Want More?

Follow WildspawnCo for new blog drops, full-on kayak shootouts, and real-world tests. We’ve got launch guides, rigging walkthroughs, and gear reviews coming up.

Already fished the XTR? Drop a comment. Did it make you feel like a tournament beast — or did you get “skunked” in a $3,000 bass sled?

Until next time — tight lines

– The WildspawnCo Team