Moving the seat back will help with your problem of getting in. Moving the seat back will also change the way the boat performs. A couple of possibilities, the boat may be slower as the bow will want to plow up out of the water at slower speeds. If the trim is moved back too far ,the boat may start to lee cock. Before committing to a position , try it out under different conditions before you make a permanent installation.
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In theory what you are saying is true and that was why I was reluctant to move the seat back. It turned out that it didn’t make enough of a difference for me to notice. Flatpick, the boat designer agrees.
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I have moved the seat backward on several kayaks. It has typically lessened weathercocking, but never devolved to leecocking, a problem to avoid for sure. One reason I move the seat astern is to make it easier to attach the spray skirt on certain kayaks - I have an old injury that significantly impacts my lower back flexibility.
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For on-water re-entry after a capsize, you basically put both of your legs in at once facing down and spin on the way in. Whether a heel hook or traditional paddle float re-entry. So unless some portion of the seat gets in the way, that should work even if you are a bit tight.
For entering from a dock you will need to do similarly, but more upright so will need to balance on the back deck first.
From land you will need to find a variation of this… but move the seat back too.
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For me there is only one way to enter a kayak and that is from the left side of the kayak–the right leg and the butt enter the boat almost simultaneously. The left leg enters when everything is stable and at your leisure. This is with the boat in the water just deep enough to float the boat with me in it. I also exit the boat;, always on the left side in just about the reverse of the entrance, If I had to do it any other way for some reason, it would probably be captioned as a wet method.
There were a few boats that my method didn’t work on. I didn’t buy those boats. I can understand that really big people might have a tough time finding the right boat, but there are some made for big people. As a consolation for hard to fit big folks, there are a lot of big sit on tops.
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Moving the seat back is the fix. Works like a charm.
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Moving the seat works so well that a lean friend of mine at about 6’5" gets in and out of his T 165 easily.
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I am 6’1 210 and really like the TideRace Excite X 18’, This is an expensive boat, but is one of the best. I also have a IMPEX Assateague 18’ . I use to paddle to Wilderness tempest 170, but there is a bigger 180 that may work. Hope that help! Happy paddling. Not the best video, but here is some basic steps.
Well I’m 5’11" and 150 lbs. and have a bit of the same problem with my Tempest 165 which I bought to upgrade my winter rotomold boat (I put in with temps that are in the teens and single digits in the winter which is dicey with my hard plastics). I took out the thigh/knee brace pads and it worked beautifully. Luckily the hull design fits my thighs like it was custom made for me so I don’t need the pads. Unfortunately the seat is not moveable and adjusting the pedals and back band just created additional problems with my 35.5" inseam legs. Having said that I’m afraid that at 6’2" & 220 this wouldn’t be much help for what is just a small cockpit. I LOVE my tempest now but you might be facing what I originally thought I was and that’s cutting my losses and finding a different boat. Good luck.
The seat in the Tempest CAN be moved. Trim a little off the base and move it back one ‘bolt hole’. I’ve done it several times.
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I learn something every day. THX Rex. Fortunately won’t need to now but good to know.
I’m considering a T165 at 6’,170 lbs, 34"inseam, so I’m glad to hear about your tall,lanky friend! Do you know if he can he do the sit-in, then legs-in with the seat, or does he have to sit of the coaming and slide forward?
I’m 165 lbs, 34" inseam and can get into my Tempest 170 by sitting first than pulling legs in easily. Specs and pictures on the Wilderness Systems website appear to show the cockpit is the same on the 165 and 170. So, there’s one data point for you.
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Thanks @Wolf!! I tried sitting in my sister in law’s 165 once before I knew anything about kayaks and struggled. Hopefully things have changed a bit since then and I will have the success you do!
Why did you go with the 170, if I may ask?
I have to admit that the 170 was a spur of the moment purchase. I found it cheap (and a little “deformed”) at a closeout store. I kayak the Maine coast in the summer and plan to use it for the rocky destinations where I’d prefer not to take my composite kayak. Here’s a thread with some more details:
https://forums.paddling.com/t/my-damaged-tempest-170-project/111984
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Leg first. I guess he sits on the coaming. I’m a little shorter. 30 inch inseam and I can enter butt first.
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Oh! Yes, I read your story in the fall when you posted it! That’s so cool that it tracks straight despite the deformity, and what a deal!!
Thanks! I suspect that’s just what I have to resign myself to until I can afford a fancy keyhole boat… Or get very lucky on the used market 
Not a Tempest 170, but you can relate.
Don’t know how I ever got by before YouTube.
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Can’t wait to see the one on getting out. And the outfit.
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