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Classic 12

This Product Has Been Discontinued
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Classic 12 Description
The Classic 12 is a kayak brought to you by Victory Kayaks. Read Classic 12 reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Check out a few other kayak recommendations below or explore all kayaks to find the perfect one for you!
Victory Kayaks
Classic 12 Reviews
Read reviews for the Classic 12 by Victory Kayaks 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!
I purchased my classic 12…
I purchased my classic 12 new from Dicks in spring 2003. While I am an avid Kayaker sense the early 1990's, and have used several different yaks in the almost 30 years I've been enjoying the rivers, lakes, and creeks of Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. This boat is my (go to), number 1. Nothing else I've used in my region compares. I have owned it for over 16 years now and can't believe how many rocks and underwater sharp object it just slides by. Never have had to plug a hole or do any repair. 3 years ago a friend of mine swore he had it tide down well on his latter rack when I watched it go flying off at 60 miles an hour on a highway down by Crawfordsville Indiana. It death rolled down the road a hundred foot. The only damage? front grab handle gone. Probably more scratches but after 16 years of river rocks I couldn't tell the difference. Still went 15 miles that day on Sugar Creek at Turkey Run State Park. Replaced the handle later that year. I've been looking for another one. Hard to find now. If u find one, don't let it go! You will not regret getting it. It's best on lazy to moderate current rivers and streams. Brent W.
It has been 10 years since my…
Jon
My family and I own several…
The Classic 12 is the fastest and safest kayak we have on the water, so my son is the king of the water with the Classic 12.
Bought this boat via a…
The Victory Classic 12' tracks incredibly well, storage space is great, large surface area on boat and higher deck allows for tremendous stability and easy portaging in and out of water. I would rate this boat as a 8.5/10 for my needs. It is incredibly stable and tracks surprisingly quickly on flat water.
i bought my classic 12 used…
Confluence Watersports, the…
NOTE: AS OF AUGUST 12TH 2004, CONFLUENCE WATERSPORTS ANNOUNCED THAT THE VICTORY KAYAK BRAND WAS BEING "RETIRED."
All Victory Kayaks are models that had previously been manufactured for the Wilderness Systems brand. The suggested retail price of all of these models has been reduced significantly. At the time this web page was posted, there was not a company sponsored web site for Victory Kayaks
http://www.noyopacific.com/victorykayaks.html
The "CLASSIC 12" by: Victory Kayaks $399.95
The "Classic 12" offers simplicity and stability, in an efficient, user-friendly design. Ideal for a wide range of conditions from calm, protected waters and mild river currents. It's perfect for the paddler looking for a versatile kayak that retains excellent performance. The Classic 12's extra large cockpit opening will easily accommodate all sizes and shapes of paddlers.
This solo recreational model kayak features include adjustable seat, rear storage hatch, shock cord deck rigging, adjustable foot braces, and Kayak Karrier handles.
Overall: Length 12'2" / 370cm, Width 25.5"/ 75cm, Depth 13.5"/34cm
Cockpit Opening size: Length 55.5"/ 141cm, Width 19"/ 48cm
Weight 49 lbs./ 22.2 kg
Maximum Capacity 325lbs./ 147kg
Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green
This kayak model was previously manufactured as the Pungo and Pungo Classic by Wilderness Systems. Confluence Watersports, recently created the Victory Kayak brand in order to develop a line of kayaks that are extremely competitively priced. The differences between this and the previous model include simpler seat adjustments and better attachment of the foam flotation.
I bought this as a first boat…
I have read other reviews and agree with the other boaters who state that this boat has very spartan appointments, however the stability and reliability of this Pungo clone is legendary. Most rec boaters consider the Pungo to be the kayak equivalent of the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, and I believe this to be accurate. What you get with the C12 is not a Corolla or Civic, but a less well appointed version of a proven winner.
The footpegs are O.K., and realistically, anyone should set their feet before pushing off. The seat is bare but solid, and not easily adjusted while afloat, but again, get set before you shove off. Deck rigging is minimalistic, but really, how much is the average rec. boater going to lash onto the deck?
The bow and stern floats are pretty much ineffective except for keeping the boat from sinking when full of water (I am speaking from experience). However, there is a great deal of space available for camping gear and supplies if you think ahead and balance your load. I have gone island hopping with this and even carried several logs and a 1/2 case of beer in addition to campsite essentials.
The poly is thinner than a Pungo, but then again, you get what you pay for. This boat will distort if left on a rack , especially with straps taut and high ambient temperatures. No real need for a spray skirt with this type of boat unless you are paddling an extended trip and may encounter rain, but then again, why would you be on the water if you don't want to get wet?
I have owned numerous kayaks ans currently own Liquidlogic and Necky yaks, and while I enjoy them immensely, the C12 is an outstanding value. If you have an opportunity to snag one, do it.
This is the beginning of my…
I have now owned my C12 since…
I just got one of these for…
I just picked one up used,…
I bought this one simply because it looked like a decent deal, and should make for a good base as a fishing rig. I'd think this would make a very good starter boat for the budget minded. I gave it a 7 now, but I expect that will rise after the first paddle day. In all honesty...if the seller had 2...I'd have bought both at this price each. It screams stability at first glance, and the huge cockpit would also ease the mind of a new kayaker. There's foam bow and stern, but it looks like only enough to keep the boat itself from sinking.
My other boats are...Perception Monarch 15, Necky Looksha Sport w/rudder, and an Old Town Discovery 158 canoe, I'm new to kayaking, been canoeing for 20 years.
Bought a Classic 12 last June…
Nice boat for the price. I…
At less than $300 this a…
It is slightly skimpy on the high dollar features like a good, comfortable seat and foot pegs. All of this can be fixed easily and inexpensively. My biggest complaint about this boat is that the plastic is thinner than the old Pungo Classic and the cockpit opening distorts if left upside down or strapped to the rack for too long. I have a skirt that will not pull tight to the lip because of this distortion that occurred after I bought the boat.
Even with the thinner plastic this is still a great boat.
This is a very versatile…
I just got a c-12 and love…
I Love My Kayak. This kayak…
Definitely one of the best…
I bought a seat pad for about $40 that is close to equal to one of the Phase3 seats. I would agree that the floation leaves something to be desired but again buying a couple of floation bags is still cheaper than the Pungo. I have also added a bungie rigging kit to the front of the kayak that works just fine. Although I do wish it had a bulkhead for what I paid I am not complaining.
This is a great kayak for someone who is just beginning to learn to kayak and is a kayak that will not be quickly out grown as your skills improve.
Looking for a good…
A friend and I bought Classic 12s a couple of weeks ago and we're happy with them. Given that they are essentially re-badged Pungos, they have the same stability and superior tracking performance that people love Pungos for.
So what don't you get with a C12 that you would if you spent the extra money for a new Pungo? (1) Most noticeable is that you don't get one of those great Phase 3 seats. The C12 seat is pretty basic and could do with some cushioning. (2) There are also no bulkheads in the C12 and only a small rear hatch. The C12 flotation is a piece of pretty skimpy foam in the bow and stern, and I think at least one of these should be replaced with a flotation bag. Like the Pungo, the foot braces are also skimpy and some might want better ones. (3) The C12 has only minimal bungie cord rigging and more would be needed for anyone planning on carrying anything on deck. (4) As of 2004, I think the C12 only comes in the 4 primary colors (yellow, red, green, & blue).
Bottom line: If you want a less expensive, barebones yak that has most of the wonderful attributes of the Pungo, the Classic 12 may be what you're looking for. It's a good recreational kayak for beginners, and for those who'd like to pick up an extra one for not much $. Even though it lacks some of the nice features of the new Pungo, I give it an "8 out of 10" score because it paddles well and is lots of fun.