Your body loses heat much faster when immersed in cold water than it does when dry. Definitely a great boat for the price. Very stable, tracks well, and can handle a bit of turbulence (but I recommend a skirt for open water/anything over class I). The Wilderness Systems PUNGO 120/125 is hands down the best Kayak at this price point on the market for 2020. This is a great kayak for touring around lakes and rivers. Purchased the Pungo 125 new in 2022 (ouch on the price - usually buy used). 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. I am 6'3", about 235 lbs. Couldn't wait to get it in the water! This is a perfect boat for flat water and easy rivers, including multi-day trips. Price is a major factor while choosing a suitable product and you need to make sure of your necessity also. I find this kayak sits low in the water compared to some other kayaks, but that doesn't bother me, just something to consider if that bothers you. Wilderness Systems is a best-selling American kayak brand that has been around since 1986. Synthetic fabrics, or wool, are generally a better choice. The Pungo series is now available in 3 sizes; 105, 120 and 125 which allows for a perfect fit for all different sized paddlers. But, there are some dissimilarities between the two models from PUNGO. Great family boat for a wide variety and size of user. Our first time out on the water in them was not a disappointment. 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. worked like a charm. The double latches make this hinged, oval hatch super easy to open and close. I made a sail for both yaks, outriggers, trolling motors, I put many miles on themevery day I go out. 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. This was my first boat. What a good investement! The ten year old did fine, paddling 2 hours + on a river trip. This sit-inside design best suits the beginner to intermediate paddler who enjoys a variety of paddling situations. Without a doubt Wilderness Systems builds exceptional plastic kayaks. I own and old 10ft pungo and the (newer version without dash, with the plastic back hatch). Easy to load onto my van roof. It can accommodate paddlers that weigh up to 300 pounds or those who are 58 tall. Wilderness Systems touring line includes the Tsunami and Tempest single person kayaks, and the Polaris tandemkayak. I just love it. When I bought my Pungo, I had to paddle it home from the demo and found myself in very rough and windy conditions. 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 learning curve is ZERO. The kayak is available in the striking color of red and blue, with 30% more gel coat on top for extra kayaking space. The Pungo best met my criteria. With a wide-open cockpit, the Pungo is one of the easier sit-in kayaks to get into and out of. The open decks of these 12- to 14-foot sit-on-tops provide ample space for gear storage, and on all fishing kayaks, expect thoughtfully placed bungees and hatches to store key pieces ofgear. 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. I tried tipping it and of course it didn't tip but it felt like it was too high in the water. Top-rated models include the award-winning Pungo 125, Tempest touring kayak and paddle/pedal hybrid Radar 115 fishing kayak. I bought mine one season used in absolutely perfect condition from an outfitter for $350! 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. Share your experience, help others find the best gear, and build your reputation as a trusted reviewer. I contacted Wilderness Systems and they say it is caused by using the boat in ponds or rivers that are rocky! I added a flush rod holder and more decking bungees. The kayak also comes with a paddle rest and spray skirt, kayaker air support system with two built-in backrests instead of the Phase 3 air seating system that comes in Pungo 120 kayak. If you are deciding between the Pungo 120 and the Pamlico 120, I would suggest you save the extra cash and purchase the Pam. With the short length and large cockpit we also were getting quite a bit of bow splash into the Pungo. More stable, FASTER, much more manuverable. Buying used means that you can get a higher-performing boat for less money. More traditional accessory options are also plentiful. This means that sourcing replacement parts or outfitting is relatively easy. However, it still has the stability and room of a recreational boat. Avoid cotton clothing like t-shirts and jeans; they retain water and accelerate cooling when wet. We have 5 of these kayaks and we LOVE them. Also, I use a cart to transport it to a nearby creek, about 5 blocks from my house. I fish and do photographer from it and have no complaints. The popular Pungo sit-inside family of kayaks also comes with a dashboard offering a cup holder, a removable dry box and a spot designed to hold a lithium battery for charging your gear on the go. It's fantastic where these boats will fit in to. Certainly one of the best if not the best seats, with adjustable lumbar, thigh rise etc all while seated. I especially love how roomy the cockpit is! The adjustable backrest is a nice feature. It was the kayak designed to replace the highly successful and well-known Tarpon 120 kayak. In Pungo 105 review, the Pungo 105 kayak has many of the features that kayakers love about the Pungo 120 kayak, but it does not have a lot of other features that can be found in Pungo 120 kayak. First day out the wind was calm and the water flat. 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. The Wilderness Systems Pungo is priced higher than many budget and box store recreational kayaks, but boasts the features and comfort of kayaks costing hundreds of dollars more. My back is finicky about how I sit, but I find the seat extremely comfortable. They are incredibly stable on flat, slow water, and are speedy enough for us. The elevated seat also gives a better view of the water for sighting fish. *MSRP: $1,229 USD / $1,599 CAD . Full review, Terrific overall kayak. It features a stable, predictable, and efficient performance in both calm and rough conditions. 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 Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 weight comes in at just under 50 pounds, which means its quite manageable to load on your car and get it to and from the water. Neither my wife nor I liked the 2 I picked and after riding in the Pungo chose it for a 2 mile ride. That may have just been poor technique by novice paddlers, but two adults noticed the same tendency in the Pungo and neither had any problem in the Stealth. The kayak has two large hatches for access to ample storage space as well as a large open storage area at the bow of the kayak. I was recommended the Pungo 120 and fell in love with that one. While the Pungo 105 is also good for fishing, it does not have many accessories such as rod holders and extra storage. Another balancing act for kayak designers is maneuverability versus tracking, or the ability of a kayak to hold a straight course. I would recommend these to my friends. Ample storage capacity, yet light enough to handle with ease. 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. A comfortable kayak will end being used more often, and for longer, and comfort can also drastically affect how well the kayak handles. Being a first time kayaker, I had no problems getting into the boat, stearing, or paddling. Looking at it from a value standpoint, the Pungo 120 is tough to beat. 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. Full review, Perfect crossover kayak. It is very comfortable, great maneuverability and tracking, to say nothing about awesome stability. Use their dealer locator to find one near you. Thats what Id call a Bigfoot. For many paddlers, Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 accessories and outfitting is top of the list of things to love about this versatile kayak. Also they sealed the rear hatch area but didn't move the drain hole. 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. Even those who were technically over the rated weight limit found them to be maneuverable and comfortable. There are so many makes, models, designs & options of kayaks that it was difficult to choose which one to purchase as my first kayak. On winding, slow-moving rivers, alert paddlers will be able to easily maneuver around obstacles like rocks, lazy sturgeon or shopping carts (hey, we paddle where we can). Cons: the closed cell foam insert they put up front is hokey, doesn't fit well and mine fell out and is now lost. 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. 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. I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a flat water, family friendly, all around kayak. I have taken out in the Puget Sound and it does just fine as long as the water is mild. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim. I've paddled it in some pretty good chop and it perorms fairly well but you will get wet. For more tips on what to look for when selecting a used kayak, read our article How To Buy A Used Kayak. The Pungo is VERY comfortable - seating and stability make you want to stay in the boat. During every vacation of my children, we made camping and kayaking plans. Boat is a flat bottom multi-chine design for use primarily in Lakes and mild streams/rivers. And Wilderness Systems recommends the 125 for someone my size. I would love to share my experience throughout this blog. Wilderness Systems kayaks are a reliable used purchase, as many of the models have been produced for years. You can even add specifically designed, matching mesh deck pouches (sold separately) for even more storage. And feels like you could stand in it while in water. Update on my earlier review. Add Axis 12.0 Kayak to Compare Pelican Premium Argo 136XP Tandem Kayak. That is my only complaint with it. WS boats are typically built pretty well, though I have noticed they are beginning to use thinner (cheaper?) Wilderness Systems is part of the Confluence Outdoor family, an umbrella of well-respected kayak and canoe brands that includes Perception, Dagger and Mad River. Generally speaking, the Pungo 120 kayak is ideal for fishing, camping, exploring shallow waters, and anything recreational. for a one-time fee of $30. 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). I've had it on calm lakes and rivers with Class III rapids (I prefer to keep it at 3 or below). It is responsive and stable with a large cockpit. Bestseller. Again, this kayak comes with various features also. Do you think the 2011 or 2012 Dirigo will ride a little higher? I felt like I had to constantly move my hips back and forth to keep balance. The hull isn't shaped right and won't maneuver well in fast current when you need to control the boat. This system allows for high, low or reclined positions while providing lower back support. Theyre best suited to calm waterways and sheltered lakes. Filter them by type and click on specific models to see specs, prices, reviews and where to buy. A great boat for paddling on Lake Champlain where the conditions can go from glass to chop in a hurry. It's also a touring kayak. At outdoor retail chains like MEC and REI, Wilderness Systems kayaks are a mainstay on the sales floor. 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. This is a rec boat, in my opinion it is a good rec boat so it will remain in the garage. Remember, online research will only get you so far. Kids and adults love it for a first time ride. It's light weight makes it easy for a senior to lift . 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