Escape 120X

Very good in big lakes even in ruff weather, high winds with big waves. You can paddle Very fast because of the shape of the kayak it allows that. It has big storage area in the back and you can store stuff in the front. I recommend wiping the storage bag dry after use to stop it going brittle and during the winter unscrew the hatch of the kayak and take the bag out to store in warm house to stop it from getting brittle.

Good recreational boat, probably Pelicans best. I bought this as a first kayak, wanting something that could do it all. It tracks well, has a large open cockpit for easy entry and seems well made. I have had issues with the neoprene on the knee guards peeling off after the first use, but pelican seems quick to look after warranty issues (mine was missing a rear handle and they sent out 2 right away) i expect when i contact them about this they will be forthcoming with replacement pieces.

On to the boat and its characteristics. It is stable with very good initial stability, has a deep "V" hull for a rec boat. I have had it out in 3-4 foot ocean chop, clear flat lakes and it handles nicely, is quite agile and easy to paddle. There is an optional rudder kit, but its pricey at $250 ish. The rear hatch is a nice size, doesn't seal particularly well, but i think that's the same for most sub 1k kayaks. It edges well enough for a 28 inch beam boat, and is as fast as a 12 foot should be. The foot pegs are solid and adjust easily, the seat is very comfortable, i have had 2-3 hours in it with no discomfort at all. It seems to handle even better with my wife in it (118lbs vs 205lbs). I have been able to roll it a few times (only once inadvertently) and the large cockpit makes it easy to get into from a swim. The lack of bulkheads will make it flood and with very little buoyancy you need to have float bags or some other means of additional buoyancy. (I have filled up the rear compartment with pool noodles and added float bags to the front and it takes on much less water.

All in all it looks well made, has a few nice things like the water bottle holder, the front "hatch" (you could put a can of pop in there, not much more) and the comfortable seat and footpeg layout. The Twin sheet thermoform construction makes it stiff and comparatively light, i have no problem hoisting it on the roof of my pickup. The removable drain plug at the back makes emptying the water out a snap. I bought a spray skirt for it, but at 51 inch length cockpit it is mostly ineffective as the water just pools in your lap and leaks through.

If you use this mostly in lakes and inland or sheltered waters then its a great little boat, if you plan on hitting the open sea I'd say find something a little more sea-worthy. Good luck!

Bought two for wife and I. New to kayaking. Got to use them past two Sat. mornings on local lakes. We are well pleased with them. Hope to do some over nite trips and the Hiwasse river by later summer. Bought from Amazon. Best price and great service.