Pelican Apex 130T Tandem Kayak
Our Apex 130T tandem kayak is built for two paddlers who want stability and comfort on every outing. The 13-foot hull uses our multi-chine design to deliver exceptional tracking and balance, whether you're exploring calm lakes or navigating gentle rivers with a friend or family member.
We designed this tandem with a 500-pound weight capacity and adjustable ERGOFORM padded seats that keep both paddlers comfortable for hours. Twin molded footrests, adjustable rod holders, and generous storage space make the Apex 130T your ideal companion for fishing trips, sunset paddles, and weekend lake adventures.
Apex 130T specifications
Multi-Chine Hull Design
The Pelican Apex 130T features our advanced multi-chine hull architecture that creates distinct angles along the bottom surface. These design elements work together to give you better initial stability when entering and exiting the kayak, plus improved secondary stability when leaning into turns.
The 13-foot length paired with a 34-inch beam provides an ideal balance between speed and stability. You’ll find the Apex 130T tracks straight without constant correction strokes, yet responds quickly when you need to navigate around obstacles or change direction.
Seating and Comfort Features
We equipped the Apex 130T with our ERGOFORM seating system that molds to your body for genuine all-day comfort. Both seats feature thick padding, adjustable backrests that lock into multiple positions, and integrated bottle holders within arm’s reach.
Adjustable Positioning
Each seat can slide forward or backward along the track system to accommodate different paddler heights and preferences. The molded footrests also adjust to multiple positions, ensuring proper leg support and efficient paddle strokes for paddlers from 5’2″ to 6’4″ tall.
Storage and Gear Management
The Apex 130T includes twin sealed storage hatches built into the hull, protecting your phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials from water exposure. Quick-seal lids open and close with one hand, so you can access gear without beaching the kayak.
Bungee deck rigging at the bow and stern secures dry bags, coolers, and extra equipment. We positioned adjustable rod holders behind each seat, giving both paddlers hands-free fishing capability. Paddle keepers on each side prevent your paddle from drifting away during breaks or while landing fish.
More Tandem Kayaks from Pelican
Rated 4.8 by verified buyers
Pelican Apex 130T Questions
The Apex 130T has a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds. This accommodates two average-sized adults plus gear, coolers, fishing equipment, and other essentials.
For optimal performance and stability, we recommend staying within 400-450 pounds of total load including paddlers and gear. This leaves reserve buoyancy and maintains the kayak's designed waterline for best tracking and maneuverability.
Yes, one person can paddle the pelican apex 130t by sitting in the rear seat position. The kayak remains stable and tracks well with a solo paddler, though you may notice slightly reduced maneuverability compared to a dedicated solo kayak.
Many owners use the front storage area for gear or a cooler when paddling solo, which helps balance the weight distribution. The 13-foot length and 72-pound weight make it manageable for one person to transport and launch, though having a second person for carrying is more comfortable.
The Apex 130T comes complete with dual ERGOFORM padded seats, twin sealed storage hatches, adjustable rod holders for both paddlers, molded cup holders, paddle keepers on each side, and bungee deck rigging for securing gear. Molded footrests are built into the hull at multiple positions.
Paddles are sold separately. We recommend our Pelican recreational paddles sized appropriately for your height and paddling style. An optional kayak cart and hull cover are available as accessories.
The Apex 130T weighs 72 pounds and measures 13 feet long, requiring roof rack crossbars rated for at least 100 pounds. We recommend J-cradles or saddle-style kayak carriers for secure transport. Two people can easily lift the kayak onto standard roof racks.
Always use bow and stern tie-down straps in addition to the cam straps securing the hull to your rack. The 34-inch beam width fits on most factory and aftermarket roof rack systems. For vehicles without roof racks, trailer systems work excellently for the Apex 130T.
The Apex 130T performs well on calm to moderate rivers with Class I conditions. The multi-chine hull provides good stability in moving water and light chop. However, we design this kayak primarily for recreational lake and flatwater use.
For rivers with Class II rapids or stronger currents, consider our whitewater-specific models with reinforced hulls and rocker profiles. The Apex 130T excels on lazy rivers, gentle current flows, and protected coastal bays where stability and comfort matter most.
Rinse the Apex 130T with fresh water after each use, especially following saltwater or river paddling. Wipe down the seats and check the sealed hatch covers for debris. Store the kayak upside down or on its side to prevent hull distortion from prolonged sun exposure and weight.
Inspect the hull periodically for scratches or gouges, though minor abrasions don't affect performance. UV protectant spray applied twice yearly helps maintain the RAM-X material's color and integrity. The Apex 130T requires no special winterization beyond clean, dry storage away from extreme temperature fluctuations.
While the Apex 130T hull can physically support a small trolling motor mount, we don't specifically design this model with motor integration. The flat stern area and 500-pound capacity provide sufficient structure for aftermarket motor mounts rated for kayaks.
Many owners successfully install electric trolling motors using universal kayak motor mounts. Check that your total weight including motor, battery, paddlers, and gear stays within the 500-pound capacity. Our Sentinel series offers factory motor-ready options if electric power is your primary interest.