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Pungo 125

12' 6"
Length
29"
Width (in)
53
Weight (lb)
$1,189
MSRP
REI

Pungo 125 Description

After decades of dominance, the highest-rated and best-selling sit-inside recreational kayak of all time is about to be born again. Introducing the all-new 2019 Pungo. Blending celebrated legacy design elements with a re-imagined modern flair, the new Pungo delivers a dynamic on-water performance with superior stability, unmatched speed, premium comfort and intelligent outfitting. With graceful performance characteristics, enhanced embellishments and world-class luxury appointments, the 2019 Pungo delivers on its reputation and charts a new course for all sit-inside kayaks to come.

Pungo 125 Specs and Features

  • Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
  • Cockpit Type: Sit Inside
  • Seating Configuration: Solo
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
  • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
  • Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate

Where to Buy the Pungo 125

Wilderness Systems
Pungo 125 Reviews

Read reviews for the Pungo 125 by Wilderness Systems as submitted by your fellow paddlers. 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!

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1

This was a great and…

Submitted by: paddler2907657 on 5/17/2024

This was a great and comfortable kayak for three trips before the hull failed on my third trip down the Cumberland river, forcing me to have to swim the kayak over 2 miles to the next take out. Multiple people have also sent similar reviews here for the same issue. Wilderness systems uses cheap plastics for the hull, which have resulted in 2 large holes forming directly where the plastic from the bottom of the seat contacts the hull. If you weigh more than a feather or plan to use this kayak for any practical reasons, please save yourself $1200 and purchase something else as the hull will inevitably fail and Wilderness systems will deny your warranty claim stating "normal wear and tear". Its really said these people are allowed to swindle their consumers like this.

1

great hull design and tracks…

Submitted by: paddler2658854 on 12/27/2023

great hull design and tracks straight but this one star is for the reason Wilderness system is using less plastic and cheaper materials in the seat rest and seat pan ! The seat pan breaks where the spine of the seat back meets . Horrible the older designs never broke on their kayaks . They have a Design flaw this needs to be reinforced better.

1

I agree that the Pungo 125…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 8/9/2022

I agree that the Pungo 125 has a vary comfortable seat and handles well. My husband & I purchased two of these, and after just 1 year of use his pooped a hole. I had already been noticing that mine was warping on the bottom forming a bit of a scoop under the kayak. It scoops sand under me like a bull dozer. We flipped both of them over and really looked at them. His also has the scoop, just not as bad as mine. The plastic on mine is also really thin right where his has a hole, the center front of the seat. Our friends had also just purchased a Pungo 125 and had only used it once. We flipped hers over and it also has the warping starting. We contacted Wilderness Systems over these issues and were told that there was nothing they could do for us since it was normal wear and tear. These have only been used on lakes and a slow moving sandy bottom river. A kayak that costs this much should last move than 1 year. Our old cheap ones have lasted more than 15 years. Also when we have 3 kayaks, manufactured within a year of each other, and all 3 have the same problem, that is a manufacturing defect. I loved the kayak at first, but was very saddened by the extremely poor customer service and warranty.

5

Purchased the Pungo 125 new…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 6/28/2022

Purchased the Pungo 125 new in 2022 (ouch on the price - usually buy used). My fourth Pungo (a 100 and 3 120's) -- all sold over the years. Maiden voyage: went on the lake, strong wind, choppy -- I paddled from shore, and stopped paddling, and felt totally at ease, rolling with the waves. I didn't have to get used to the kayak -- it was made for me. I felt tucked in and in control of the kayak. Since then, I've paddled the lakes and fished, and I love it. It glides like the Pungo 120, but the added width gives it me just the right feel on the water. Also, and this is big plus, the seat is comfortable without any additional padding. I hate spending money on new stuff when I can buy used, but I'm glad I splurged and got the Pungo 125. The only drawback to any Pungo I owned is they are not so good on shallow, rocky rivers with current. The chines grab the rocks in cross currents, making for a miserable trip.

3

If the paddling experience…

Submitted by: Ghostraker on 5/5/2022

If the paddling experience wasn't as good as it is, I'd score this lower. This kayak has been a pain from the very beginning. I helped the person from the kayak shop unwrap my kayak and he helped me carry it to my car. So, I know this kayak was not touched by anyone other than Wilderness Systems.

When I got home, I noticed multiple pinholes in the hull. I had to either find someone to patch them or wait however long it would be to get a replacement. Since I had ordered this kayak in December and didn't get it until March, I was worried how long it would be until I got a replacement. I then had the thigh pads come away from the hull. I glued those back on. Then I got water inside the cockpit and didn't think about it. However, when I opened the "water tight" hatch I found water. I lifted the stern and watched the water leave the hatch under the divider. I again contacted Wilderness System and again was told basically I need to fix their issues.

It just saddens me that I was able to a few years ago buy a Perception Sound 10.5 and within an hour of buying it spend hours on the water paddling around a lake. I spend double the money and get a Pungo 125 that I have to finish building. They say I need to have the dealer work on getting me compensation, but why should the dealer pay for Confluence's building issues?

Like I said, other than the poor build quality, the paddling experience is great.

4

I've owned a CD Solara 120…

Submitted by: paddler1873288 on 2/14/2022

I've owned a CD Solara 120 for 6 years, but want to sell it & buy a Pungo 125. CD has designed a GREAT kayak, Roto moulded hull which is very strong & repairable. However mine does NOT track straight ever! The hull is round & smooth, with no water-chine contours, like the Pungo's hull. It is built VERY well, but as stable as a log, being round hulled. The design drawing indicates a flatter oval-but not quite! THE Pungo's hull cross section contour is more boat hull-chine shaped, giving much more stability & straight tracking when gliding. MY hull IMMEDIATELY turns starboard even when downwind, when gliding, requiring 3-4 strokes to return to course. VERY annoying! I love this boat, & its built how I would build it if I could. It has the dual bulkheads & hatches, which DO NOT leak!! The dual storage/FLOTATION compartments provide SAFETY in a middle-lake rollover, (cold water & kids in mind) It will not sink! I've even built a stern mounted, fixed rudder-skeg which would solve the tracking issue, But I shy from drilling holes the for mounting. I WISH the Pungo had DUAL foam bulkheads & the additional flotation that would provide. A MINIMAL expense!! IF I buy one, I'll fit a bulkhead into it, but a 2nd hatch would be difficult to fit & seal. I'm 65, & have spent MANY hours in canoes & a little less in kayaks, but fighting the incessant departure from course when out for a evening paddle/glide or when fishing, is SO blasted annoying, that I will give her up & find a Pungo. Not built as well, & they have quality control issues as reviews have stated, & using a less durable material, stability, handling, & safety, are everything. With respect to BOTH boat-makers!!

Happy Paddling to all !

4

Having owned a number of…

Submitted by: tlb on 8/2/2021

Having owned a number of Pungo 140 kayaks over the last 20 years, at age 70+, I purchased the shorter Pungo 125, at Kittery Trading Post. It is "fossil color" and is less susceptible to heating up in sunlight than the colors with black mottling. Same easy in, easy out cockpit. As my photography and occasional fishing kayak, the appreciated improvements are the solid grab handles, the stern skid plate, and the comfortable seat. Being used to the original Konsole and finding it more useful for my needs (I do not have a lithium battery, etc) I ordered an original Konsole (with bungee) from Amazon while the latest version that came with this 2020 Pungo 125, is unused. The Pungo 125 paddles almost as straight and fast as my former 140's, with high angle style and 220cm AquaBound Whiskey paddle; when I pause paddling in calm water/no wind, the Pungo 125 circles to the right. The only missed feature is the bow bulkhead and compartment of the 140.

4

I’m new to paddling and…

Submitted by: Pathfinder1 on 6/30/2020
I’m new to paddling and decided on this boat because of perceived quality and the features. I’m generally happy with my purchase and can understand why it’s known as the best seller in it’s class. My only issue is that the bulkhead leaked through from the cockpit. On inspection the bottom of the bulkhead Was not glued to the bottom of the boat and my little finger could slide under. That means quality control was missing at the point of manufacture and the retailer. My retailer is 2 1/2 hours away so making a long trip for a simple repair was something I would do. My retailer suggest Lexel in a toothpaste type tube. I found it at a nearby Ace Hardware store. It’s instantly waterproof, elastic and useable the next day. The leak is gone and the problem solved. I hope this may help the rest of you that have this problem.
5

I am 6 ft 5 in tall and have…

Submitted by: paddler789306 on 6/3/2020
I am 6 ft 5 in tall and have been looking for a kayak that would fit me perfectly. I came across the Pungo 125 while shopping for Kayaks at Scheels. The staff was very helpful and let me sit in the kayak and test it for fit. I was very pleased with the kayak and the features. Having lumbar issues in my back I need the kayak what's the appropriate support. The Pungo 125 offered that and much more. It was easy to get in and out of adjustments for the footpegs were easy to reach and adjust while sitting in the cockpit, the seat back and leg support was just as easy to adjust while sitting in the kayak. I got the kayak home and took it out on the water and after spending six hours paddling I have got to say it was a very smart purchase. The kayak tracked very well and paddled with very little effort. It was very comfortable to paddle and it is very fast. While out on the lake the wind came up and I was experiencing 1 2 to foot waves and I put the kayak through its paces. It tracked well in the choppy water, I paddled beam to the waves and its stability was very remarkable. It has double chines and as a result it took the swells very well. This is the best kayak purchase I have made and I recommend them to anyone either beginner or even a more experienced paddler.
5

This review is for the 2019…

Submitted by: Nery on 2/11/2019

This review is for the 2019 Pungo 125, which is the replacement for the Pungo140 I've been paddling for around 20 years, but mostly Sit On Tops for fishing(from11 to 15 feet). After a few recent surgeries I needed something lighter than my unwieldy SOT's, so I decided it was time to move to the Pungo 125. Thus far I'm not disappointed. Other than giving up some storage space, which I really didn't need, the Pungo 125 does EVERYTHING better. It's lighter of course. Speed wise it blows all but 15 foot SOT's out of the water, and is way more maneuverable than any SOT. Another perk is it is less affected by wind with the lower profile. It has extremely good glide for a boat in it's class, and tracks extremely well. I was a bit concerned about seating coming from lawn chair style high seats, but the Phase III seat is comfortable for hours. Although it isn't made for standing, at almost 49 years old, and 5'11 and 185, I can easily stand in it with confidence. If I could change anything I'd add a front bulkhead, and possibly make the deck pitch up a bit in the foot area for a little more toe clearance at various foot positions on braces(size 12 rubs a tad completely vertical). I'd recommend this to any paddler looking for an easy and quick sit inside, and to any freshwater or inshore fisherman who doesn't need to carry the kitchen sink, and who won't be in rough water.

Pungo 125
by Wilderness Systems
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