"Just buy a boat!" – It is the number one comment every kayak angler gets. Admittedly, the line between boats and fishing kayaks continues to be blurred more and more each passing year. Electronics, premium seating, motors and limitless accessories fuel the perception that kayak anglers should just 'buy a boat.'
{Bonafide XTR130 has entered the chat}. Perhaps it was just a matter of time before a brand mimicked a bass boat with its inspiration or maybe it was the logical evolution of the sport as the limits get pushed by serious anglers. No matter the reason, the Bonafide XTR130 is one-of-a-kind in its design and layout for fishing kayaks. Let's take a closer look.
The Bonafide XTR130 — What Sets It Apart?
Hybrid Design Inspired by Bass Boats
The XTR130 marries the best of both worlds—a kayak’s agility and a small bass boat’s stability and tech-ready deck. It offers an open, elevated, walkable platform tailor-made for serious anglers.
Powerful Rigging & Electronics Integration
Built with anglers who embrace tech, it features a motorization-first deck, PowerLink ports, ample battery storage, and compatibility with forward-facing sonar and dual monitors.
Stability That Feels Like a Pier
In honor of Spinal Tap, the Bonafide XTR130 was rated 11/10 for stability. This kayak offers rock-solid balance — ideal for casting, standing, walking around the kayak and hosting multiple anglers.
Massive Capacity & Spacious Layout
Measuring 12'7" long and 40.5" wide, the XTR130 supports up to 730–750 lbs (including gear) and features a 24" × 65" walkable floor plan. With an elevated front deck, it is similar to a casting platform at the bow of a fishing boat.
Premium Features for Comfort & Functionality
- PivotPro swivel seat for 360° comfort and support
- Elevated stand-and-cast platform
- Horizontal rod storage and extensive gear tracks
- Tandem seating options through accessories
- Stern rudder-ready design
- Motorization-Ready Design
- High tech ready – Perfect for live sonar, dual screens, and more
- Industry-leading weight capacity to haul tandem partners and/or serious loads for hunting, fishing or camping
- Hull access hatches for internal gear storage and easy electronic/motor wiring
Best Water Types for the Bonafide XTR130 & Why
Flatwater & Slow Current (Lakes, Calm Rivers)
With a high primary stability, the Bonafide XTR130 was built for lakes and slow moving rivers. The XTR130 is at its best in big, open water with lots of room to roam.
Choppy Water & Light Surf (Coastal Inlets, Shore Breaks)
The XTR130 handles moderate roughness with ease, making it great for nearshore adventures. Because of its size, the XTR130 can handle bigger waves and maintain its stability. Unlike in calm big water, current and waves can be a bit harder to maintain tracking due to the XTR's overall size.
Shallow, Swampy, or Bayou Terrain
Think backwater ninja - this kayak is ideal for sight fishing from the standing platform, push poles, tiller motors, and maneuvering through marshes and swamps.
Coastal & Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater ready and excellent for intercoastal voyages and sight fishing, thanks to its elevated casting deck and cooler storage.
Pairing the XTR130 with the Garmin Force Current
Due to its size, the Bonafide XTR130 performs at its best with a motor. As a paddle kayak, the XTR130 would take significant effort to move. The XTR130 is a fishing platform best served for anglers who plan on motorizing the vessel.
For our demo, we used the Garmin Force Current trolling motor—key integration to elevate the Bonafide XTR’s capabilities further. Let’s explore what makes the Garmin Force Current a perfect partner with the XTR130.
Garmin Force Current: Features & Specs
- Usage: Engineered for freshwater, brackish water, and saltwater environments, making it versatile across different kayaking terrains.
- Mounting: Utilizes a standard 4-hole tilt mount common across kayaks, simplifying installation.
- Thrust: 50 lbs at 24V (ISO13342); 30 lbs at 12V.
- Power Options: Compatible with both 12 V and 24 V systems
- Steering & GPS: Electric steering with built-in heading sensor; Dual-frequency GPS with Anchor Lock, Heading Hold, Route Following, Cruise Control, and more.
- Remote & Integration: Comes with a wireless floating remote (1.2″ color, sunlight-visible, 240 × 240 px display); Seamless wireless integration with Garmin chartplotters for intuitive route creation and motor control
- Safety: Supports a wireless Man Overboard (MOB) tag that cuts motor power if the user falls overboard.
- Durability: IPX7-rated waterproofing; Rugged alloy shaft and components with corrosion resistance for both freshwater and saltwater use
- Dimensions: Shaft length: 11.4–16.6"
- Weight: 22.2 lbs; with mount & cable: 27.8 lbs
- Performance Efficiency: Brushless motor offers long runtimes and quiet operation—crucial for stealthy fishing.
Power Steer Foot Pedals: Bluetooth-Flexible Control
While the standard remote is highly functional, Garmin offers optional wireless power steer foot pedals. Incredibly responsive without any lag, the foot pedals are modern electronics at their best and allow anglers complete boat control while remaining hands-free.
- Hands-free Operation: Directly steer or throttle with foot controls—ideal for casting or multitasking.
- Programmable Shortcuts: Assign quick actions (e.g., Anchor Lock, Heading Hold) to foot pedal buttons for instant access.
- Wireless Freedom: No deck clutter; pedals connect wirelessly to the motor.
- Intuitive Steering: Move forward by tilting both pedals forward, reverse by tilting both back. Steering left or right by tilting one pedal forward while the other remains neutral—allows tight maneuvering, even 90° turns; prop speed reduces automatically at steep angles to prevent turbulence.
- Easy Pairing: Enter pairing mode on the motor by pressing power three times, bring each pedal close, and activate its lever three times. Successful pairing lights up LEDs accordingly.
Adding the Garmin Force Current to the Bonafide XTR130
Adding the Garmin Force Current (especially with the Power Steer foot pedals) to your Bonafide XTR isn't just an upgrade — it’s a the pinnacle of what fishing kayaks have become and are capable of. You get:
- Smart, precise propulsion and positioning (Anchor Lock, GPS).
- Hands-free, customizable control (remote or pedals).
- Rugged, quiet performance across all water types.
- Integrated, tech-rich cockpit for top-tier kayak angling
"One last cast" for the XTR130
The Bonafide XTR130 isn’t just another fishing kayak—it’s a high-performance base camp on the water. Built for anglers who want a stable, tech-savvy, gear-hauling vessel that’s ready for lakes, coastal waters, or skinny bayous. If your fishing ambition goes beyond paddling, this kayak levels up your experience.
