Perception and Wilderness Systems are owned by the same company. This boat is stable, easy to maneuver and reasonably fast. The seat is adjustable and very comfortable, even during a 10-hour float. It has an ample amount of storage space that can be found underneath the seat, including dry compartments to store things like keys and wallets while kayaking. In fact I bought two. Look to Perception for an expansive range of budget-friendly sit-on-top and sit-inside recreational kayaks, including models just for kids. Among the Pungo 105 and Pungo 120, I will choose the Pungo 120 kayak. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily. Weekly reviews, exclusive deals, giveaways, and more: 2001-2023 Trailspace. Perhaps the greatest opportunity for Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 customization is choosing from various RAM mounts to install on the dashboard. - Not as responsive, + is nice seat. Beginners can easily maneuver their way through the water while experienced paddlers can experience remarkable performance. Wilderness Systems has created the Pungo Series of sit in kayaks to serve the discerning recreational kayak buyer. This is a perfect boat for flat water and easy rivers, including multi-day trips. On the second day out the wind was up and the water was choppy. The Pungo 100 is perfect for me. If this is enough for you and you are a smaller sized paddler then this maY be the boat for you. I didn't once feel unstable, even when the water started to get really choppy due to the wind. My wife and I were looking for an entry level kayak to get us into the sport. *MSRP: $1,219 USD / $1,599 CAD . I have taken out in the Puget Sound and it does just fine as long as the water is mild. The double latches make this hinged, oval hatch super easy to open and close. One of the key strengths of Wilderness Systems kayaks is the comfort of its seating systems, tweaked and refined after years of production and feedback. Read reviews for the Pungo 100 by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. Perception has a more than 40-year track record, and their reliability is exceptional. Bought it used for $275 w/paddle & PFD. I live a mile from a lake, which is my primary spot to go although I am planning a river trip soon. Founded by whitewater champion Eric Jackson, these whitewater kayaks are some of the best on the market. The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 stern hatch is separated from the rest of the kayak by a watertight, sealed bulkhead. When I took it out on the water the first time it was instant love. The Wilderness Systems PUNGO 120/125 is hands down the best Kayak at this price point on the market for 2020. Wilderness Systems kayaks are targeted to a mid-level price range, reflected by the construction and outfitting options. I had never sat in a kayak before and I was a little nervous about how different it might be from my canoeing experience. The Pungo delivers a dynamic on-water performance with superior stability, unmatched speed, premium comfort and intelligent outfitting. Tracking is great and winds have litte effect. 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. Couldn't wait to get it in the water! Local paddle shops and dealers will also carry Wilderness Systems boats and may be able to preorder boats. Choose Wilderness Systems if youre ready to invest in a more refined touring, recreational or fishingkayak. Wider kayaks might be even more stable but the trade-off is increased drag and slower performance. Bestseller. But I won't try that. 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). The stability is a major plus and I like the addition of the bulkhead in the rear of the boat. If left outside in direct sunlight, plastic can warp, creating deformities that will affect the kayaks performance. It's light weight makes it easy for a senior to lift . Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 Specs Length: 12'2" / 3.7 m Width: 29" / 74 cm Weight: 49 lbs / 22 kg Capacity: 325 lbs / 147 kg MSRP: $1,099 USD / $1,399 CAD Market and demographics The Wilderness Systems Pungo series really are do-it-all recreational kayaks. Boats like the Recon 120 and Radar 135 can be propelled with a paddle, integrated pedal drive or a small electric motor. Would definitely stay close to shore and use a spray skirt! Are you interested in fishing from your kayak? Wilderness Systems kayaks are widely available from local paddle shops and national outdoors stores. This most popular Pungo in the family strikes the perfect balance of size and manageability. At 40 lbs, easily handled by a smaller woman (like me) by herself. The Pungo 120 is a 12'2" (371 cm) model offering a bit more space. I found it incredibly easy to manouvre and my boyfriend and I swapped kayaks to try eachothers out and although his was nice, I was happy to get back into mine. Recommend it highly. Having used three years now, I feel I can give some insight. The kayak has fishing rod holders, a beverage holder, and an adjustable seat back to make kayaking more convenient. We pile them on to our car (2003 Hyundai Elantra) using a Yakima rack and two sets of Yakima Hull Raisers. My criteria was I had to fit it in my enclosed trailer (with all my windsurfing gear) - so had to be 11 feet or shorter. Other kayaks dont even come close to the kayaking space that Pungo kayak offers its kayakers. The Pungo 120 kayak is 17 feet 6 inches in length, which makes its kayaking space 72 long by 20 wide. The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is a sit-inside kayak that has a large cockpit opening for easy entry and exit and an unrestricted feeling when sitting in the kayak. It's a cross-over. 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. At no time did I think I was in any danger of dumping. stability, speed, looks. The boat tracks well - so even if your stroke is not technically sound you can hold a line. I was initially going to buy this one because its price was very attractive but when I tried it on the water I found that I felt like I was floating in a bubble on top of the water. Here are answers to some of the most common online questions about Wilderness Systems kayaks. Yes, it does take on a fair amount of water from the bow but I never felt unsafe and made it home easily, if a bit tired. A pair of cup/bottle holders keeps water, sports drinks or your morning mocha close at hand, so its easy to stay hydrated (and you dont have water bottles rolling around the bottom of your boatone of my personal pet peeves). I also opted for the removable dashboard for longer trips. The elevated seat also gives a better view of the water for sighting fish. I fish and do photographer from it and have no complaints. I've got more background with canoeing. I went out on the river near me and absolutely love it. how insulting. The Pungo 120 kayak provides kayakers with an extensive kayaking space in that they can enjoy kayaking. Another balancing act for kayak designers is maneuverability versus tracking, or the ability of a kayak to hold a straight course. After months of research I chose the Pungo 100 for my first boat. Plus we found vests that go to the bottom of the shoulder blade & now we can sit in these very comfortably for a long period of time. Although I was worried about being able to load it onto my car top myself , the dealer had me practice load a floor model onto a Yakima rack system set up in the store, using the "boatloader" accessory. Adjusting a kayak to fit you correctly is one of the most important steps you can take to make paddling more enjoyable. One was a Dagger Echo 14.0 and the second was the WS Generation 2 Pungo 100. The minuses - not the world's fastest boat (but then again, I'm not looking to race anyone) and just wish it was a wee bit lighter. You will see the differences between Pungo 105 and 120 so that you can make a decision to choose the perfect one for you. The kayak also features the famous Phase 3 air seating system, which provides kayakers support as they kayak for hours on end. This means you dont need to shed a tear every time you bump a dock or a rock, and can drag it up on craggy shores without fear of damaging the hull. You can raise and lower the back rest, tilt it forward and back, and pull up on the bottom of the seat to lift your legs. 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! The old Pungo 120, is still available as the Pungo Classic, and with the new Phase 3 seat, it would probably be much more comfortable for long paddles than your old Pungo. Keep reading this guide to find some of the best Wilderness Systems kayaks available this year, as well as advice on choosing the one that will be right for you. It made its way to the kayakers top kayaks list because of its stability and maximum kayaking space, which are two factors that a kayaker looks for in kayaks. The Tsunami 160 could be a good choice if you plan to go on long-distance trips along the coast. 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). The learning curve is ZERO. The newest addition to the Wilderness Systems fishing family, the Recon 120, features the all-new AirPro ACE seating system, which leverages the premium framework and materials of the MAX and adds a one-handed lever for quick, on-the-fly adjustments. This Kayak is excellent for the beginner. All of these boats are wider and shorter in length (between 8 feet and 14.5 feet), offering lots of stability and easy maneuverability for beginner paddlers. Boat is extremely comfortable. Bought a Pungo 100 recently and took it for a weekend outing to Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. If you are a kayak enthusiast, then surely youve heard about kayaks from Wilderness Systems. The reason why the Pungo kayak is more expensive lies in the additional features that it has. Prior to this, I had only rented or borrowed one. I was deciding what boat to trade or sell to make more room in the garage so I took the Pungo out for a spin. With a wide-open cockpit, the Pungo is one of the easier sit-in kayaks to get into and out of. The Pungo is VERY comfortable - seating and stability make you want to stay in the boat. The Phase3 AirPro allows anyone to customize their seat for ultimate comfort. They are a very stable kayak and I have never had any trouble with it tipping over. 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. The seating is fantastic, and my wife can even put hers on top of our van by herself if she wants to do some solo paddling. I would recommend this be used in less than choppy water, other than that it seemed to be great. Other TrueFit options include a Sun Shield partial deck for warmer climates (because burnt thighs arent much fun) and a Cockpit Cover to keep creepy crawlies out of the kayak when its beingstored. Purchased the Pungo 125 new in 2022 (ouch on the price - usually buy used). All I can say is WoW! If stored correctly and well-cared for, a kayak will hold much of its value (this is especially true of hard-to-find, discontinued models). Curbside Pickup Available NOW! I just love it. 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. Look for water flowing freely from one hatch compartment to another, or from the cockpit into the hatches. Highly recommended. Tracks just fine. The Pungo 120 is equipped with what Wilderness Systems bills as the most comprehensive kayak dashboarda removable console that fits over the front of the cockpit and features a removable dry box, cup holders, an accessory gear track and a recessed batterycompartment. Add Pungo 120 Kayak to Compare Dagger Axis 12.0 Kayak (2) 2 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars. If kayakers kayaking speed is not an issue for them, getting Pungo 105 kayak may be a good option since its cheaper than Pungo 120 kayak, and kayakers who kayak in oceans or calm kayaking waters wont need a lot of kayaking space. Looking at it from a value standpoint, the Pungo 120 is tough to beat. I've had it for 3 years and only used 8 times a year or so. The other one I tried was the Perception Prodigy 100. So, lets start-, This is a beautiful kayak and durable. Outdoors stores went out on the second day out the wind was up and water! 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