Pamlico 120

I love my kayak! I've had it for over 8 years and it is standing up to the test of time. It is super comfortable with its adjustable seat and leg rests. It is a reasonable weight, I'm not strong by any means but I can carry it by myself from my car to the lake or river. I would definitely buy again!

Great boat. Tracks and turns well. Comfortable seat. Added two flush n mount rod holders and turned it into a awesome fishing kayak

I bought a Pamlico two years ago and have enjoyed it's agility and fair speed. Paddled many of the rivers and bays on Long Island and love the access to small coves and sanctuary's available to shallow water kayaks, such as the Pamlico.

I have had a Wilderness Systems Pamlico 120 for three years now and it's by far the nicest most stable recreational kayak I've ever owned.

I started with the usual cheap 9.5 foot kayaks that everyone has started with (an Old Town Otter and a Perception), but they "waddle" and are slow. The Pamlico 120 is pretty fast for its size and tracks like a dream.

I bought a Pungo 120 this year, thinking it would be a nice second kayak. I assumed it was a better boat, since it retails over $200 more than the Pamlico. Not so! The Pamlico's flat channeled hull is better tracking into a current (I am usually heading up river on the Niagara so there's a constant current), better in chop, more fun for "surfing", better in shallow water. Meanwhile, the Pungo has a V-hull that gets caught by a current if you are paddling into it and wants to turn. It's also less maneuverable than the Pamlico, and it seems less stable too (tippy, while the Pamlico sits rock-steady). For the money, the Pamlico 120 is just a superior boat. May not have all the bells and whistles, but it's safe, dependable and fast.

I have used my Pamlico 120 for 3 years now, and I'm absolutely satisfied. In all aspects, I think its fantastic made and simply the best in its class. It's very stable and is very easy to maneuver and get around in the water even loaded with gear. I love it! 10 star product.

I took my 120 out for the first time. The kayak is very stable and tracks very well. Turning takes a little more effort but still ok. Over all I was very pleased with the boat and plan to put a bulkhead in it. The phase 3 seating is also very comfortable.

I have been paddling my Pamlico 120 for about a year and a half. It is a great all-around boat. I have not seen the cracks in the hull that another reviewer has seen. I think that can be caused by storing the boat in the sun all the time or maybe under the stress of a very heavy paddler.

The boat is a good combination of speed, comfort, stability and price. It is about as stable as one can get, yet it is surprisingly good on speed. The seat, a phase 3 lite is actually more comfortable than my other boat with a phase 3 because the open nature of the cockpit allows you to sit many different ways to combat stiffness and fatigue. You can sit with your feet on the pegs, sit indian style, bring your knees up or even put your feet up on the deck. I outfitted mine with plumbing pipe insulation over the coaming to pad the knees but I think the newer models come with padding on the coaming.

Wilderness systems rates the boat for class 2 rapids - it can be done but I would not recommend it. The boat can take a beating and be OK but it is not designed to do well in rapids because it is so long - you will likely end up broaching and water will pour into the cockpit. Likewise it is unwise to take it out on the big open water on windy days because the cockpit is so wide that even with a sprayskirt big enough, a big wave could easily come down and punch right through it. On the other hand, small riffles are no problem and the boat is ideal for slow rivers and lakes.

It's a great boat to fish from because you have room to maneuver with your gear. It has enough room to camp for one or two days out of it. I have had this boat ALL OVER the place and I trust it. The price was right for what I could afford and I would not want to go cheaper. I don't care how non-committal you are, don't buy a cheap inflatable kayak from Dicks unless you want to be disappointed. This is a good boat to start on and you won't outgrow it either.

Good boat for fishing
Very stable... but will not go in a straight line. Don't set out on a long trip, you will be very tired from over-correcting every other paddle stroke.

I bought myself a Pamlico 120 with rudder kit last summer after much research and trials. I was looking for the prefect fishing yak and I think I have found it. The Pamlico is very stable and turns great, tracks good, and was rudder compatible. (which was a big plus for me) I used it several times before putting on the rudder and was happy with how it handled ...however with the rudder is where it reallt shines for fishing. I am able to fish entire shorelines without using the paddle. Also the Pamlico I find it very modification friendly with lots of option. I have since made a tackle deck for the hatch for it, put in rod holder and an anchor system. This yak is truly a fishing machine..which is exactly what I was looking for..... and the wife and kids love it two.

Bought a Pamlico 120 last year, first kayak ever, fell in love with it and the sport before I was 10 feet from shore. I never leave home without it, all summer it sits on the top of my van, ready at a moments notice. Now our weekends up north playing golf are split 50/50 between the 'greens' and the 'blues'.

I can spend 4 hours at a stretch lounging in the spacious cockpit with a flyrod in my hand. Takes me to incredibly shallow areas I could only see from a distance when in a boat. Big rivers or tiny streams are all accessable now - and I don't have to wait in line to launch or trailer. I sold my boat and motor...

Very stable. Plenty of storage space inside and out. Tracks straight, turns easy. You gotta try it to believe it. After trying others, I feel this is the best all-around kayak for someone seeking the freedom of a motorcycle on the water.

Great kayak. I bought a 120 with the angler package from the classifieds on here. i took i took on a very windy day (it started off calm) paddling against 2 ft chop and it tracked straight and efficiently. Not as fast as my Necky Dolphin, but almost. Plenty of room for my fishing gear. The kayak is very stable and I am glad I have the phase 3 seat instead of the phase 3 light of the new Pamlicos. The Phase 3 has an adjustable back for height as well as forward and back. The kayak is easy to handle and load. It also balances very nicely on your shoulder for carry if you shoulder it by the seat coaming.

It does sit a bit low in the water from the seat on back, but I weigh 275 plus my fishing gear, so I'm not complaining. The only time I took on a little water was when I went sideways in to the trough of a wave and it broke over the top of the gunnels/coaming. When I am in the yak the water line is probably six inches below the cockpit coaming. I can still easily lean it over until the water is at the cockpit and hold it there, even thought he boat is designed for initial stability. It turns very well yet tracks straight, which is a hard balance to achieve.

I was going to purchase a rudder kit, but after paddling it, there is no need. About the only thing I will add is an additional rod holder behind the seat.

So far I am very happy with this boat. I have an OLD TOWN OTTER that my 13 year old uses. He cant keep up with me when im in the pamlico 100. I even put my 4 year old in front of me and the boat still paddles and balences great. We are very happy with this boat. Great boat for $299

Update to my first review: I purchased a skirt with the decompression bar, and hit the White River in Vermont for a run of about 11 miles-class I and II. With the skirt, I didn't swamp once. Water tried to get it, but didn't. The skirt was an aftermarket-not a WS, so it kept popping off in one spot-I have to check and see if the cowling edge isn't rolled enough to hold it. Did bottom out a lot-I seemed to hit all the dry spots. Going over some good (to me) ripples, it didn't even bounce-seemed stable and a nice ride. Still not as 'nimble' for manouvering around rocks but I may have to accept that for the length of the boat. Definitely tracked straighter when floating in the current than my Walden Sunapee-must be the 'triple keel' that helps that. Storage stayed perfectly dry, and by tying a knot in the adjustment cord, the seat back stayed put. No chance to move the seat to change the center of gravity-it is molded in place. If I could move the seat, get adjustable footbraces, and make it a little for nimble, I'd go from a rating of 8 to a 10. Maybe by the end of this season I'll know enough to tackle a class III-we'll see.