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Finding the right recreational kayak for your needs can be a daunting task with so many different designs and styles to choose from. Essentially it comes down to deciding how and where you intend to use the kayak, and then finding something that fits your budget.
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. The Pungo lives up to its cred as a sit-inside recreational kayak “legend” with a design heritage dating back 20 years.
The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 will serve as a great day tripper for small- to medium-sized paddlers looking for more glide and efficiency than the shorter Pungo 105; larger paddlers should look at the Pungo 125 for a roomier fit and higher carrying capacity alongside the same versatile features and performance.
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. Looking at it from a value standpoint, the Pungo 120 is tough to beat.
On the water with Wildy’s Pungo 120
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. This sit-inside design best suits the beginner to intermediate paddler who enjoys a variety of paddling situations. 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.
The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is 12’2” long, weighs 49 lbs, is rated to carry up to 325 lbs and is the middle option in the Pungo lineup. Wilderness Systems also offers the Pungo in two other sizes: The Pungo 105 is a more compact 10’6” version suited for small- to mid-sized paddlers, and the Pungo 125 offers a more comfortable fit for larger paddlers with an increased deck height (more legroom) and slightly larger cockpit.
The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 sits right in the Goldilocks zone for a wide variety of paddlers. The Pungo 105 is slower and carries slightly less weight, but is lighter and more maneuverable. The Pungo 125 has a generous carrying capacity of 425 lbs, but is somewhat heavier and less maneuverable.
Paddle Sober And Smart
- Never mix alcohol and paddling. Coast Guard and state BUI (boating under the influence) laws apply to all vessels. This includes canoes, kayaks, SUPs and rafts.
Comfort
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. The airy cockpit offers the best of both worlds; paddlers enjoy the benefits of a sit-inside kayak—like better protection from harsh sun, cold environments, precipitation and splashing water—without the claustrophobic feeling that can accompany a smaller cockpit opening.
Wilderness Systems aims to make the world’s most comfortable kayaks, and the Pungo 120 is no exception. The Pungo 120 comes equipped with Wilderness Systems’ Phase 3 AirPro seating system, which features a plush 3D foam seat with honeycomb pattern mesh fabric. The foam seat forms to your body, while the perforations ensure it’s quick-drying and keeps you cool on hot days. The seat is fully adjustable while seated with a simple pull or release of easy-to-reach straps.
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. Cushy thigh pads prevent bare legs from rubbing on the plastic sides of the kayak—an all-too-often overlooked feature in cheaper box store kayaks.
Easy-to-adjust Slidelock XL foot braces round out the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 cockpit outfitting. An adjustable foot brace system is key to ensuring you are comfortable and efficient; it improves posture, reduces fatigue and boosts your overall performance by enabling you to make a solid connection with the boat and engage the larger muscles of your core and legs for stronger paddling.
Adjusting a kayak to fit you correctly is one of the most important steps you can take to make paddling more enjoyable. A comfortable kayak will end being used more often, and for longer, and comfort can also drastically affect how well the kayak handles.
About the Pungo 120 kayak
Design
Design features and details
Everyone wants a kayak that is light, fast, durable, maneuverable and inexpensive. That’s what I’d call a Bigfoot. I’m not saying they don’t exist, but I’ve never seen one…
Every design decision has a trade-off. Longer kayaks tend to go faster, but they generally aren’t as stable or quick to turn as shorter, wider boats. Space-age composite materials are lightweight and easy to manage, but not so easy on the wallet.
Bigfoot aside, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 strikes up a great balance of speed, stability, durability, comfort and affordability.
The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is faster than many comparable recreational kayaks. The 12’2” length and minimal rocker (the amount the hull curves up at the bow and stern) gives the Pungo 120 a relatively long waterline. In other words, it has enough hull speed to feel the wind on your face when zipping across a lake, without the worry that the slightest ripple will send you cheeks up (not a technical term, but you get the idea).
Dress For Immersion, Not Air Temperature
- Your body loses heat much faster when immersed in cold water than it does when dry.
- Avoid cotton clothing like t-shirts and jeans; they retain water and accelerate cooling when wet. Synthetic fabrics, or wool, are generally a better choice. If the water is very cold (60° fahrenheit or less), you should wear a wetsuit or drysuit.
In fact, it’s the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120’s stability and predictable handling that make this such a well-loved boat. The 29-inch width and voluminous chines (where the sides of the kayak meet the bottom) create confidence-inspiring stability so you can wiggle around, snap a few pics or take Fido out on the water without fear of the slightest movement sending you overboard. Wider kayaks might be even more stable but the trade-off is increased drag and slower performance. Again it seems like the Pungo 120 is just right.]
Another balancing act for kayak designers is maneuverability versus tracking, or the ability of a kayak to hold a straight course. The Wilderness System’s Pungo 120’s pronounced stern keel helps it stay on track even in choppy waters, without feeling like a barge. 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).
The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 weight comes in at just under 50 pounds, which means it’s quite manageable to load on your car and get it to and from the water.
Material and construction
Like many recreational kayaks, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is made of rotomolded polyethylene, a durable plastic that stands up to abuse and is easy to maintain. This means you don’t 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.
The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 also comes with an integrated and replaceable skid plate, an extra thick piece of plastic that is located on the bottom of the boat at the stern. This protects the hull by taking the bulk of the punishment when dragging your kayak in and out of the water or when loading on and off your vehicle by yourself.
Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 outfitting and accessories
For many paddlers, Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 accessories and outfitting is top of the list of things to love about this versatile kayak. The Pungo 120 is equipped with what Wilderness Systems bills as “the most comprehensive kayak dashboard”—a 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 battery compartment.
The removable dry box is perfect for keeping small essentials like keys, wallet, cellphone, camera and snacks safe and dry. It’s also nice to be able to leave your boat at the dock and have your valuables in one convenient place to quickly grab and go. A pair of cup/bottle holders keeps water, sports drinks or your morning mocha close at hand, so it’s easy to stay hydrated (and you don’t have water bottles rolling around the bottom of your boat—one of my personal pet peeves).
The Wilderness Systems dashboard includes a recessed compartment that is specially designed to house the WS lithium battery, which can be purchased separately. This lightweight 14-ounce, water-resistant battery has one 12-volt and two USB ports to keep phones, tablets, fish finders or other electronics charged on the water.
The Pungo 120 dashboard also incorporates Wilderness Systems’ SlideTrax gear mounting system. This little strip of grooved aluminum opens up a world of possibilities to mount accessories like a fishing rod holder, phone or GPS. If you can think of something you’d mount on a kayak, then there is a good chance an aftermarket mounting bracket exists.
Tidy, adjustable deck bungees on the bow and stern give you more options to stash gear on-deck. You can even add specifically designed, matching mesh deck pouches (sold separately) for even more storage.
Perhaps the greatest opportunity for Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 customization is choosing from various RAM mounts to install on the dashboard. 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.
Add some of these optional accessories and you can really start to customize things to make the Pungo 120 your perfect personalized ride.
More traditional accessory options are also plentiful. Add a Wilderness Systems TrueFit Spray Skirt to keep splashing waves out of the cockpit when paddling in rougher waters. A skirt is also really nice to have in the rain and in cooler weather for a bit of extra warmth. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t like paddle drips in my lap on anything but the hottest days.
Other TrueFit options include a Sun Shield partial deck for warmer climates (because burnt thighs aren’t much fun) and a Cockpit Cover to keep creepy crawlies out of the kayak when it’s being stored.
If you are the type of paddler that doesn’t like to leave any of the comforts of home behind, then the storage capacity in the Wilderness System Pungo 120’s Orbix stern hatch should keep you satisfied. The double latches make this hinged, oval hatch super easy to open and close. If you’re parking your boat where you can’t keep an eye on things, you can even lock the latches for peace of mind.
The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 stern hatch is separated from the rest of the kayak by a watertight, sealed bulkhead. In addition to keeping your gear dry, a bulkhead is a critical safety feature that ensures adequate flotation should the kayak swamp in deep, open water.
Wear A Life Jacket
- Everyone, even strong swimmers, needs to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water. It is extremely difficult to put a life jacket on once you fall into the water. Even a light wind can blow any paddlecraft away from you, faster than you can swim.
- Buy (and wear) a comfortable Type 3 or S life jacket specifically designed for paddlesports.
As with any kayak, it’s 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.
Warranty
Like many other kayak manufacturers, Wilderness Systems offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects in the hull and deck. Parts, accessories and outfitting come with a one-year warranty.
Where to buy the Pungo 120
Wilderness Systems
Pungo 120
The Pungo delivers a dynamic on-water performance with superior stability, unmatched speed, premium comfort and intelligent outfitting. The renowned Pungo hull, through rigorous engineering and testing, has reassuring stability without sacrificing performance. Best-in-class speed makes the Pungo the easiest to paddle and most efficient kayak in its class, taking you farther and faster than you ever thought you could. Also available 10.5- and 12.5-foot models.
- Phase 3 air Pro Seat is Fully Adjustable and Offers Ergonomic Support
- Adjustable Foot Rests Accommodate Paddlers of Different Sizes
- Dashboard Offers a Removable Dry box and 2 Cup Holders
- Proudly Designed, Molded and Hand-Assembled in the USA
- Backed by our Limited-Lifetime Warranty
Pungo 120 pros and cons
Pros
- Do-it-all kayak with a good balance of speed and stability for beginner and intermediate paddlers
- Proven, paddler-informed design that has made the Pungo the best-selling sit-inside recreational kayak of all time
- Plenty of useful space, including a roomy stern hatch and a unique and handy cockpit “dashboard”
- Premium, comfortable and easy to adjust outfitting
- Rear bulkhead means the kayak won’t sink if it swamps in deep water—a critical safety feature if you intend to paddle further from shore or on more exposed coastlines
Cons
- Might not be suited for larger paddlers—choose the Pungo 125 for a higher capacity option
- Do-it-all design means the Pungo 120 doesn’t excel at any one thing; if fishing from your kayak is your main objective, you might be happier with a dedicated fishing kayak
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Significantly more expensive than budget recreational kayaks…just remember, you get what you pay for, with superior comfort and convenience features and paddling performance