The 122 length and minimal rocker (the amount the hull curves up at the bow and stern) gives the Pungo 120 a relatively long waterline. Wilderness Systems kayaks are made in their factory in Greenville, South Carolina. Add to Wish List. The only downside is the weight; it's 47 pounds and a bit unwieldy to carry. The reason for a ten foot was because I can get it INSIDE my Toyota Prius for easy loading and unloading. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. The other one I tried was the Perception Prodigy 100. If youre kayaking for trout in a pond, the Pungo might not be right for you. Great things come in a small package, this easy-to-manage kayak for smaller paddlers is packed with performance that's ideal for both fledgling and advanced users. Foot rest design is easy to adjust while paddling. I have had my Pungo a year now. Although you won't be breaking speed records, I recently found I was able to keep up with two tandem Seaward kayaks on my nearby lake without too much sweat. Fabulous kayak! The bestselling Wilderness Systems Pungo series of do-it-all recreational kayaks are some of the most popular choices for paddlers who enjoy smaller lakes, meandering rivers, coastline exploration, kayak fishing or even the occasional overnight trip. If you are the type of paddler that doesnt like to leave any of the comforts of home behind, then the storage capacity in the Wilderness System Pungo 120s Orbix stern hatch should keep you satisfied. At no time did I think I was in any danger of dumping. Also available 10.5- and 12.5-foot models. I purchased two of these kayaks almost five years ago, and they have been great to me. Get the X-Grip Phone Mount/Base if you want to keep your phone handy for selfies and navigation, or opt for a Basic Track Ball with T-Bolt Base to open up a huge array of mounts and options. My younger boy loves fishing but he scared of kayaking. In short, both my sons loved the boat for its FUN component.If you are thinking about this boats suitability for childrenyou can't go wrong. The DAgger floats smooth and straight plus, has a lot of room for my gear. Pungo 100 Specs and Features Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell Cockpit Type: Sit Inside Seating Configuration: Solo Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult, Larger Adult Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. Prior to this, I had only rented or borrowed one. I'm not sure it matters that the Pungo's bulkhead supposedly leaks. The kayaks hull is designed to be more efficient and quick than kayaks in its class. Wilderness Systems has created the Pungo Series of sit in kayaks to serve the discerning recreational kayak buyer. The Pungo is VERY comfortable - seating and stability make you want to stay in the boat. I can stand up in mine without tipping over. I feel I made a good choice for a first boat and find it great for practicing my strokes and gaining experience. After using them for about 4 months now, I have to say that we both love these boats. Add to cart$1219.00. Again, it will help you to know more about these two kayaks and their features. The Pungo 140 just by nature of length will be faster than the 120. The Pungo kayak has an extra storage compartment, a larger kayak seat, and a backrest that makes it more comfortable for kayakers to kayak . My wife and I were looking for an entry level kayak to get us into the sport. After years of asking my wife for a boat, she surprised me with a kayak. Bottom line, there is a lot to like about the Pungo as a first kayak, particularly if you don't mind working a bit harder, going a bit slower, and limiting your paddling to calm water. The kayak is available in the striking color of red and blue, with 30% more gel coat on top for extra kayaking space. The kayak is a Pungo-series kayak made by Wilderness Systems. I'm female, 5'4, 120lbs and often go on solo trips, so I needed a boat I could load onto my car and portage by myself. Purchased new in April 2014 from REI. Tsunami 125 . Doesn't have the effortless curise and glide of a sea kayak - but it is so comfortable and easy to use. I will be getting more accessories to supplement my kayaking desire!!! I made a sail for both yaks, outriggers, trolling motors, I put many miles on themevery day I go out. I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a flat water, family friendly, all around kayak. Add Axis 12.0 Kayak to Compare Pelican Premium Argo 136XP Tandem Kayak. The kayak is made from Tarpon 120 kayaks, which were known for their durability and stability. Perfected. Both brands are a sound choice for cutting edge fishing kayaks and comfortable, accessible recreational kayaks. Purchased my Pungo 100 after a lot of research of other similiar type boats. Boat is a flat bottom multi-chine design for use primarily in Lakes and mild streams/rivers. (2005 model). I confirmed with Pelican that is had the twin arch multichine hull. Have a Kestrel 120 OTC, Dirigo 106, Pungo 120. Being a first time kayaker, I had no problems getting into the boat, stearing, or paddling. Believe it or not, most damage to a boat happens while the kayak is simply sitting on the rack (if it hasnt been properly stored). PUNGO 120 Pungo kayaks are designed for calm waters without much in terms of waves or currents. It was the kayak designed to replace the highly successful and well-known Tarpon 120 kayak. I also opted for the removable dashboard for longer trips. Cons - the plastic does seem to scratch up easily, but hull is thick enough to not seem a threat. Also, I use a cart to transport it to a nearby creek, about 5 blocks from my house. Definitely a great boat for the price. This content was made possible with the support of OntarioCreates. The Pungo 120 kayak is well balanced and can be used for day-touring, but it also offers more stability and comfort than a larger kayak. The Pungo 120 kayak is 17 feet 6 inches in length, which makes its kayaking space 72 long by 20 wide. Also will handle a little more weight. What is wilderness systems Pungo 120 Kayak? recreational kayaks, 3. See what someone else loved about the boat, and let it guide your decision. The overall quality construction and Phase 3 seating really made this boat stand out over all others in its class. My back is finicky about how I sit, but I find the seat extremely comfortable. There is plenty of room in the cockpit for water bottles, binoculars, jacket etc. Being 5'8'', 145 lbs, and female, I have no problems putting it on my Suzuki alone (using Yakima Lowriders and bars). I highly recommend the Wilderness System Pungo 100 for beginners or advanced paddlers. If you want a kayak to take on a slow serpentine river one day and then fish the local quarry the next, the Pungo is it. Gives me plenty of room to sit. But, there are some dissimilarities between the two models from PUNGO. I'd say Pungo for comfort. Wanted to find a good kayak for recreational use that wouldn't break the bank. Do you think the 2011 or 2012 Dirigo will ride a little higher? The kayak does not track well and it is better to paddle kayaks with a bow and stern rudder. The Prodigy is a great learner's kayak, Full review, Old Town produced a great family recreational kayak in the Twin Heron. Synthetic fabrics, or wool, are generally a better choice. Also had good feedback from the paddler.net message boards. The best I would never buy this product again. I was somewhat afraid of a short boat since most of my paddling experience came as a guide using much longer boats (that I didn't have to store). Top-rated models include the award-winning Pungo 125, Tempest touring kayak and paddle/pedal hybrid Radar 115 fishing kayak. Generally speaking, the Pungo 120 kayak is ideal for fishing, camping, exploring shallow waters, and anything recreational. I am 6'0" and 190 lbs and have no problem fitting into this boat. Among the Pungo 105 and Pungo 120, I will choose the Pungo 120 kayak. 47lbs of polyethylene makes it a bit cumbersome for small folks like me to carry alone, but is still a great value. I've had the oppurtunity to try a variety of kayaks; none of them with more ease of use or comfort than my Pungo 100. We weren't looking to hop into white-water right away, and live right next to a lake, with slow-moving rivers and creeks throughout the area. Wilderness Systems AirPro MAX seating system is standard on current fishing models and compatible with all of their popular Ride fishing kayaks made since 2012. I had never sat in a kayak before and I was a little nervous about how different it might be from my canoeing experience. how insulting. The Pungo seemed to want to track to the right, however, requiring frequent correction. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community! V bottom will help with tracking and speed in the wind. I think the Pungo 100 is a little small for people over 6 ft tall. Anybody else use their boat in waters that have rocks in them? Pungo 120 Is a better choice especially since you are paddling the Hudson River. This information is really helpful. I would recommend this be used in less than choppy water, other than that it seemed to be great. It also moves very smoothly through the water with little resistance even at faster speeds but in small water areas, it doesnt perform that well. The seat is adjustable and very comfortable, even during a 10-hour float. One was a Dagger Echo 14.0 and the second was the WS Generation 2 Pungo 100. - Pungo 120 seemed to ride a little low. Full review, Perfect crossover kayak. You can remove the Pungo's "kayak konsole" - its just held on with bungies around the cockpit rim. Copyright 2023 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. If left outside in direct sunlight, plastic can warp, creating deformities that will affect the kayaks performance. Very stable. Would definitely stay close to shore and use a spray skirt! The Pungo 120 has also some limitations like the Pungo 105. So the drain hole only provides drainage to the small rear hatch area and not where it is needed. The stability is a major plus and I like the addition of the bulkhead in the rear of the boat. plastics. Florida bay to tour the mangroves or go out to watch dolphins and sunsets. Other kayaks dont even come close to the kayaking space that Pungo kayak offers its kayakers. Im not saying they dont exist, but Ive never seen one. It's fantastic where these boats will fit in to. With the pandemic paddlesports boom putting used kayaks in such short supply, quality used kayaks are a rare find. For many paddlers, Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 accessories and outfitting is top of the list of things to love about this versatile kayak. You will see the differences between Pungo 105 and 120 so that you can make a decision to choose the perfect one for you. All Rights Reserved. After paddling it in a bit of wind and swell, however, we decided to exchange the Pungo for another Stealth. Good starter boat that is stable and tracks well. The renowned Pungo hull, through rigorous engineering and testing, has reassuring stability without sacrificing performance. I had to call Pelican customer service to find out what hull was on that boat. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. The kayak is a sport kayak. I almost bought a cheap kayak from a sporting goods store or Walmart, but after . Check general online classifieds like Kijiji or try searching Craigslist Wilderness Systems kayaks. Specialized marketplaces like MEC Gear Swap or local paddling groups are also good places to start your search. This is an incredibly durable and tough material, but its still important to look over a plastic kayak for wear or damage. Our Paddling Buyers Guide features every Wilderness Systems kayak on the market. Share your experience, help others find the best gear, and build your reputation as a trusted reviewer. My biggest criticism would be that even small wind driven waves are coming in the cockpit - a spray skirt (even the mini-skirt) is a good idea. The Pungo 125 has a generous carrying capacity of 425 lbs, but is somewhat heavier and less maneuverable. The Pungo clearly was a bit plodding compared to the longer (12.5 ft) Stealth, but the primary stability was great and it was very easy for adults or kids to hop into the big cockpit and paddle away. And, in some cases, their friends or family have then also purchased a Pungo! Remember, online research will only get you so far. Overall, though, we find these to be great yaks for beginners such as ourselves, and they are great for leisurely paddles (I would even consider just floating for a few hours on end while reading a book), which is our primary objective at this point. I have had my Pungo 100 for couple of months. My first kayak and I love it! Perhaps the greatest opportunity for Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 customization is choosing from various RAM mounts to install on the dashboard. I've been a canoer my entire life but decided that my big 15' canoe was a bit too heavy for me to man-handle alone so I sold it and bought the 12' Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 kayak which weighs about 49 pounds (30 pounds less than my old canoe). Update on my earlier review. Quick, stable, ample storage in the rear hatch. A 10' boat weighs in at 48 lbs, which isn't bad but I'd recommend getting the model without a drywell (unless you absolutely need it) since it adds even more weight. The supportive, high back rest can be pulled forward or relaxed as needed; the seat itself has an adjustable leg lifter to reduce fatigue and dial in a comfortable position. I kayak the waters of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, so I wanted a kayak that would do well on lakes or on Class I to III rapids. Couldn't wait to get it in the water! Overall, great for a beginner like me. The Pungo 120 dashboard also incorporates Wilderness Systems SlideTrax gear mounting system. What a good investement! Got my Pungo beginning of March. No biggie, though. Theyre best suited to calm waterways and sheltered lakes. Tidy, adjustable deck bungees on the bow and stern give you more options to stash gear on-deck. Bigfoot aside, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 strikes up a great balance of speed, stability, durability, comfort and affordability. Turning is improved with leaning. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. I highly recommend this for anyone. This is a great kayak for touring around lakes and rivers. The Tarpon 100, 120, 140, and 160 all offer what many consider to be the most comfortable SOT seat and driest ride available. So, lets start-, This is a beautiful kayak and durable. Well, both of the kayaks are good for kayaking and come with almost similar features. I finally broke down and bought a kayak. The full skirt will keep you dry in the rain and under major waves - but you have a 50/50 chance of it staying on if you roll over (I have the basic nylon full skirt - too much cockpit to cover). When I paddle in it, I feel I am in a boat rather that feeling like the boat is part of me. Look for water flowing freely from one hatch compartment to another, or from the cockpit into the hatches. Recreational kayak for one person, light and easy to load. For more information visit us online at www.outdoorsoriented.com. Unique colors Full review, Super stable and tracks well. I think that any first time kayaker ( like all the folks in my family) will find the Pungo 100 more fun than they could have imagined! The Pungo is the most impressive recreational kayak I've ever paddled. As with any kayak, its a good idea to put anything that absolutely needs to stay dry in a waterproof bag or box inside the hatch, as a small amount of water may find its way in through the hatch lid. 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