Pungo 120

Rather than repeat what has already been written, "easy in, easy out", my brief review is that of a previous owner, (over a 19 year period) of a number of Pungo 140s (I reviewed 2006,2008), a Pungo 125. In 2021, due to my age, I downsized with a Pungo 120. Hull design seems a bit different from previous versions and is 2" longer, but still tracks well and moves a bit better, than a previous Pungo 125, maybe due to my weight148 lb. Much appreciated is the skid plate which makes car-topping on my RAV4 a bit easier. Seat is very comfortable and I prefer the new solid grab handles over the old style and the Orbit hinged hatch covers over the "Tupperwares"; the original "deck" with bungee was more useful for my needs than the current snap-on Konsole because I do not have a lithium battery dock, etc. A bow bulkhead would be nice... If it weren't for my age and car-topping issues, I would be still paddling my "140" but the 120 places close second.

Excellent kayak! Tracks well, speeds through the water and is very stable. I'm very pleased with my purchase.

I've had this kayak a couple of years and really like it. If you want a kayak that's reasonably speedy, stable, tracks well, has a very roomy cockpit and comfy seat, this is your boat. For comparison purposes, I also own a Necky Manitou 13 and an Epic GPX (about the same size as the Manitou). Advantages of the Manitou: fast, tracks well, comfy seat (the cockpit is on the small side, however). Advantages of the GPX: light and very fast (but it does not track well and it has a marginal seat). Even though the Pungo 120 is a little slower than either of the other kayaks, it has become the family favorite due to it's huge cockpit, rock solid stability and "good enough" performance. If you want one boat that will appeal to everyone in the family (small to big, skilled to unskilled), it would be difficult to improve on the Pungo 120. -

My husband and I each bought one and love everything about them, except both of them have improperly sealed hatches. They both leak. Everything else about these kayaks is fantastic with careful attention paid to little details that make the experience of using them great. That’s why new kayaks with leaking hatches is so disappointing.

Purchased it in 2011. Great kayak, fast, tracks well, and easy to get into and out of. Reasonably light for a 12' kayak.

Very comfortable Air-Pro (Phase 2?) seat.

But:

- fabric covering the the seat bottom and back, and the side guards wear quickly. I have had to replace all three twice in 10 years.

- carrying straps wear out and break after a few years.

- seat back strap broke at the point where it is screwed/riveted to the seat.

- the plastic seat base has cracked and Wilderness does not sell replacements. I used steel mending plates to keep it together.

I still like it a lot, and prefer it to my newer Santee 120.

2020 Wilderness Pungo 120, price $999 After a summer season of many kayak day trips, I wanted to provide my input to those looking for a recreational kayak and hopefully this helps them choose. First, I am in my 70’s, 6’2” and in pretty good shape. I kayak 2 to 3 times per week, mostly lakes and slow-moving rivers in CT. I started kayaking 3 years ago in a small lake across from where I live. I started with a Sea Eagle 370 inflatable, largely because of the light weight to carry (36lbs). I have tried/owned a 9.6ft Lifetime Payette, Perception Prodigy 10ft and Dagger 11.6ft Blackwater. Bottomline: The Wilderness Pungo 120 (12ft) is an excellent kayak for lakes and rivers with an outstanding seat and many extras noted below. Secondary stability is only average and the price is higher than most recreational kayaks, but the more you use it the more I feel I made a good purchase! Pros: Great seat with multiple adjustments that are easy to reach and provide all day comfort. Has nice mesh bottle holder on the seat. Foot pegs are adjustable with easy to reach rods and comfortable rubber footrests, great for water shoes and bare feet. Cockpit is large and easy to get in and out of measuring at (57” by 22”), a key for someone at my age. Weight is 49lbs lighter than most, has good initial stability (29”wide) with space for dry bags behind the seat and in the front. Has good size dry stern hatch with cover and bulkhead. This kayak is a bit faster than most recreational kayaks, I am sure do to the slight V shape hull and pointed bow and stern. Cuts through the water nicely and tracks very well even in wind. Has a replaceable stern plate that allows you to drag the kayak. Cons: I feel the price is high for this type of kayak. The seat is great but not worth hundreds of dollars over Perceptions, Daggers etc. It does come with a dashboard that fits over the front of the large cockpit, but I found that the sharp plastic edges near my knees, scraped and cut my calves and knees. The dashboard is basically worthless, it has cup holders that are so large that you could fit a large thermos in them and it would cause a problem with your paddling. It does come with a drybox but that’s the only useful part of the dashboard unless you buy (extra cost) Wilderness accessories like a lithium battery. I threw my dashboard away. I would rather they offer the dashboard as an option and reduce the price by $100! The knee pads are nice but on the short side for those of us with longer legs. The secondary stability is only average and you need to be careful when leaning into turns or trying to get something from behind you or in the hatch, I have been told that is because of the chine which provides better speed but you give up some stability. Also at this price it would be nice to have a paddle holder. Summary: The Pungo has many positives and generally glad I purchased it. Because of Covid, I did not have an opportunity to try other kayaks to compare, but the more I use it, the more I will enjoy it moving forward. I can keep up with longer, sleeker kayaks and it has plenty of room for dry bags and camping gear. It handles well, cuts through water, and tracks nicely. Definitely a lot better than your box store basic kayak and most 10ft kayaks. I feel the 12ft is right for me and would only upgrade to a longer kayak if it were lighter, given my age. Hope this helps.

As a family we love our Pungos. We've has them over a year now and used them from the chesapeake Bay (across the bay and back no problem no fatigue) to rivers, big lakes, creeks and surf. The Pungo covers all 3 family experience levels and needs. Son is tall and light and very experienced. Wife is short and recreational only and I'm 220 and experienced. Son and I have camped with 3 days gear food and plenty of storage using the bow. Foot pedal adjustments are easy and they are very stable and I find them plenty fast. My son paddles like a flying fish in his 120. He just glides over the water. My wife loves the stability. I did add extra cushion in the seat for my comfort on the 5, 6 hour trips we make. Its just a boat throw cushion so added safety there too. I had to reseal my bulkhead so I'd drop it a half star. But wife and son no issues with leaks. I think because I'm heavier when the hull flexed it pulled the bulkhead seal down and made a small leak. We've kayaked in SC, MD and Oregon in various waters. (Separate trips lol). Our Pungos have been great.

My wife and I tested different brands and a couple different lengths and then we rented the Wilderness Pungo 120 at Zellers Ski and Sports in Green Bay.. The features it has for comfort such as the seat adjustments and foot peg adjustments are both fantastic and the Pungo control blew the rest out of the water and we liked the blended color selection they offered as well. So we ordered two and can't wait until they come in. (I get your email news letter but apparently I'm not a member?)

I am absolutely in love with my 2019 Wilderness Systems Pungo 120! I can adjust my seat completely from within the kayak and adjust the foot pedals easily from sitting in my seat. It glides through the water with ease and rides so smooth. I started kayaking about 5 years ago with a sun Dolphin Aruba 10 SS. at that time, I wasn't sure how much I would get into kayaking so I went with an inexpensive model to start. That same year I looked at a Wilderness Systems Pungo kayak and knew it was the one I wanted to upgrade to in the future since I quickly became addicted to paddling. My dream of owning a Pungo finally became reality this year and I've never been happier! The new dashboard is quite impressive and very versatile. I'm looking forward to adding the battery as an accessory and possibly solar panels. The new solid handles are also a very nice upgrade and make it easy to transport. Whether I'm paddling down a river or in a lake this kayak never disappoints me. It is literally so comfortable I can paddle all day long. I find my serenity in the water in my Wilderness Systems Pungo 120! I highly recommend this kayak to anyone who enjoys paddling. You won't be disappointed!

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.

Great Comfort. Easy in/out. Multiple seat adjustments are the best (especially the thigh support) Very stable

We purchased our first kayak at a local shop, and we love our new Wilderness Systems Pungo 120. . So far we have been out a few times, and love how maneuverable, lightweight, and easy to enjoy they are. My Pungo is a perfect match for me as I enjoy the more open cockpit design and the seat is great. I feel like I can really move in this thing and experience the water the way it should be experienced. Love our Wilderness Systems Kayak and can't wait to get back out on the water for our next adventure!

We have a new 2019 120 and 125. New to paddling but have tried some cheaper kayaks before. This kayak tracks well and seams like a great kayak. I like the adjustable foot pegs and they are easy to adjust when you are on the water. The seats have numerous adjustments and are comfortable to me. My wife's tailbone does get sore after a long paddle but I don't know if that due to the seats. The reason for the 3 stars, the 120 bulk head keeps leaking. the 125 is still good. We have taken the 120 back 4 times. we have received a new 120 after the first one leaked. That one leaked after the first paddle. Took it back and they gave us the original one that was repaired. The bulk head didn't stay sealed after the first paddle. Take in mind these are't leaking water in from the outside, Just water from the cockpit from a hard paddle and water from washing. Going for the 4th time now. I like the new console. The removable water proof supplied box does rattle a little bit and for some reason the cell phones get extremely hot in there. They are handy for keys, snacks, etc. Other then the leak issue, we are really enjoying the new Pungos.

Very stable and safe Kayak. Were on a lake with two foot plus waves and handled them with no issues.

I've been paddling Pungos for about 10 years now so I guess I'm qualified to do my first review. I've been a kayak fisherman for about 20 years and have been through close to 20 yaks and the Pungo 120 is by far my favorite. They are not good for all conditions, but for lakes, bays and slow rivers they are hard to beat. They are fast(for a 12 footer), stable and durable. The large cockpit makes it easy to enter, exit and to fish from, but also makes it unsuitable for rough conditions. Also if your paddling a river with a lot of current the keel makes it harder to handle, but the keel keeps it tracking straight on flat water. I would have given the 120 five stars if they had floatation in the front, but Wilderness Systems stopped putting front floatation in the 120 several years ago. I've added a front float bag to my newest Pungo and would encourage anyone buying one to do the same. (The bags are cheap insurance). So would I buy another - absolutely!

This product allows an experienced paddler or beginner a chance to have a stable, swift, and easy to manuver kayak without all the weight. Excellent kayak for a day of paddling or short trip. I enjoyed the one that I had so much that we bought a second one for my spouse.

We are beginning kayakers, ages 67, and have bought two Pungo 120 kayaks last year. Use them mostly on lakes around North Carolina and on the marshes at the sea side. Are pretty much satisfied with the performance with one thing that they are a bit heavier than we thought. Getting them up on a trailer, with each one of us at the opposite end of the kayak, is fine for me but my wife has some problems lifting them on her end. Still able to do that and for the transportation at the lake (100-200 feet) we use a small kayak wheeler instead of carrying one kayak at the time. On the water they are very good unless some heavier boat passes by and creates a wave that may splash the interior of the kayak. Need to position the kayak properly (frontally to wave) to avoid that each time. They point well and are easy to paddle and accelerate. So far we have gone for up to about 8 mile trips each way with no problem.

Purchased this kayak for my wife two years ago, after a fair bit of study on my part and a couple demos on her part. She has hip problems, and needed a slightly wider cockpit. This works fine. The boat appears to be aimed at the entry level user, but it has lots of great features, tracks well, and has the most-comfortable seat I've found. No keel or rudder, though it appears you can add the rudder later. Still, performance is fine in small chop and moderate winds. My wife, who I thought would be more timid about it, actually loves it when a small boat goes by and sends us some waves. This is due to the very high stability of the unit. If she was in my Elie Strait 140 XE, which is a very good boat for its intended purpose, she would not be so excited. The Pungo comes with two good compartments and a "dashboard" which stores a water bottle and few other items. It has a small lockable compartment on top that is very difficult to open, regardless of weather, temperature, or any other factor, so it goes unused. This is a small problem, yet the biggest one we see. Weight is respectable -- I can put it on the car roof by myself. At age 62, that's a plus.

The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 has been a near perfect recreational kayak with a sufficient amount of storage, comfortable seat, straight tracking, and a descent amount of speed on the water. The detachable work-deck is conveniently placed and offers extra storage complete with 2 cup holders. I would highly recommend this easy-to-use kayak to novice paddlers, as well as seasoned kayakers too.

Tracks well, cuts through the water nicely. Seat is decent enough, could be a tad more cushy but it does the job well. A tad heavy, but its a study, solid construction. You can't go wrong with it.

I love this kayak. It is lightweight and has been a gem for fishing. Plenty of room and I find it comfortable even being 6 ft.

The pungo is a very stable and fast kayak. There is plenty of room and the open cockpit is great for my daughters who don't like to be covered over so much. It is reasonably light weight and very durable.

First Kayak purchase, went straight to the best!!!

However...When something breaks such as seat components you can forget about any good customer service from the company. The parts I needed for a 2 year old kayak could not be ordered from the company. They did not have them! I had to order from somewhere else. I feel I was lucky to get the parts from a secondary company. Phase 3 seat parts. I can no longer recommend the company, (even though they have a good product), if they no longer support their products. If buy a product I expect to be able to get parts when it breaks otherwise it ain't no good. Telling it like it is.

I bought the Pungo 120 2 years ago, and have been very pleased with the stability of the boat. It is being used on lakes, where I paddle for a workout. Easy to get in and out of, and isn't too heavy considering it is a 12 foot boat. I used to have an Old Town canoe (14'7"), and that was much harder to maneuver. It was also very tippy. For what I want to do, the Pungo 120 is a good fit for me.

I don't know where all of these reviews came from but this is a piece of crap kayak. Never have I paddled a kayak so tippy and it doesn't even move smoothly through the water. Save your money, buy a cheap kayak from Walmart, unless you really want compartments to put your things.

Plenty of room in the cockpit to move around and carry a full tackle box. Crosswinds can be a little problematic for this particular boat. Without crosswind it tracks really well for what it is. Works fine in slow moving rivers too. Beginners are very comfortable with this kayak.

I have been paddling the Pungo 120 by Wilderness for the past 10 years. The hull with the exception of a few deep scraps from oyster bars has held up well and allows great tracking. It handles well even in tight areas while fishing in the Gulf, lakes or rivers around Florida and other states. It easily adapts to fishing or touring due to it's stability and speed.

My wife Gail and I went to an event at a local lake which allowed us to try-out many different Kayaks from several manufactures. The Best by far was the Pungo 120 from Wilderness Systems.

I am 6'4" tall and I was able to fit into it nicely. There is about 13 inches of space in cockpit area for the feet rests. I wear a size 12 shoe and I fit nicely.

I understand that this cockpit is the largest in the industry that also allows you to wear a spray skirt.

The Pungo 120 is 12 feet long and tracked very nicely in the water. I was able to make it move very swiftly and it was not effected too much by the wind like several other Kayaks I tried were. The seat is adjustable in several ways and ensured a comfortable ride.

While more pricey than basic Kayaks from a big box store, the Pungo 120 is well worth the money. When buying a Kayak, you get what you pay for.

We bought 2 Pungo 120's last spring from REI, they were very good to work with. I did a lot of research before buying. I decided on the Pungo 120 because they are one of the most stable Kayaks in the world! We have tried to tip them over and they are very hard to tip over. You literally have to tip them until the cockpit reaches the water line. If you can tip it that far.

They are great in windy conditions, they take waves very well. They track very good. They may be a bit slower than other kayaks, but speed is really not the issue when you are out on the lake just cruse'n around!

I tried a Perception kayak and it felt very unstable. I felt like I was going to tip over if I moved the wrong way. I asked the guy about it and he said the were build for speed. Not sure way stability needs to be sacrificed for speed?

I have looked at all the Wilderness System Kayaks and they have a full range to choose from, but I think one of their biggest strengths is their stability in each and every model they make. I would get another Pungo, maybe the 140 or a sit on top model. We love them!

Purchased the Pungo this spring, used it a dozen times, really pleased with it. I am a senior and find it easy to lift and to get in and out of.

This year I bought 2 mango coloured sit in Pungo 120's. Made of the polyethylene material. New to the Kayaking scene I did a lot of research on which kayak would suit my needs as well as my daughter's.
Used last weekend for our first official kayaking rally and LOVED it!! The stability of the boat plus it tracks really well in turn makes for easy paddling for newbies to the scene. I do have some lower back/spine issues and the seat was awesome even after 5 hours. Highly recommend this boat!!

Donna got a Pongo 120 a number of months ago and now paddles rings around me. She LOVES it. It tracks straight. She says it paddles super-easy, and that from a mature woman who, admittedly, does not have a great deal of strength in her arms. She could not be happier - and - I am looking into the Pongo 120 Angler kayak now!

My old Pungo 120 has served me GREAT! It's taken me through rough water, calm water, and into places with almost NO water depth. It's light as a feather and stable. A tough little boat that has been a good friend. It did develop a crack where the seat bolts to the cowling. I put an aluminum plate with through bolts in a couple of years ago... no problems. In rough water, it will take on water if a spray skirt isn't used. I've flipped it intentionally and was able to get in, paddle to shore, with the hull still filled with water. Great, safe, little boat that can take normal abuse.

After 3 years of research and evaluation of multiple kayaks, and after a lot of deliberation I purchased this Wilderness Systems Pungo (as well s 3 other Kayaks for my family and will review those as well). I am very happy with this kayak! I have now used this boat in the Great Lakes, 30 mile passages, Kokosing River Water Trail, Mohican River Water Trail, many many local rivers, including Class I-III rapids. I've paddled approximately, 800 miles with this boat (tracked with a GPS and log).

I've waited to write an evaluation until I could give a real testament after I used it well. I had many questions when I began looking and searching for a kayak. Money does not grow on trees, so I had to make every penny count. I hope this helps whomever is looking at the Pungo series.

Tracking: Tracks like an arrow. The displacement hull and design lend to a very well behaved and predictable tracking boat. Even with poor paddling technique the boat will go where you tell it to go. The hull shape provide incredible efficiency.

Stability: Stable. Very stable. Again, the hull design of this boat is all about stability and efficiency. Even while edging the platform is solid and stable. Being touted as one of the "most stable kayaks" in the industry, I was reluctant to buy into the hype, until I tried it. The well managed and relatively soft primary chines give this boat excellent handling characteristics that beginner and novice paddlers will like and stability that is exceptional! The low gunwale and steep angling to the deck offer a rather wide boat, but the step angle does not effect a low-angle paddling technique or a high-angle paddling.

Cockpit and keyhole: As a reference; I am 6'4 and weigh 256 lbs. The seat on this kayak is the best I've sat on in any recreational kayak. It;s adjustability is nice and the material that it is made of allows water to quickly drain so you are not sitting in water constantly (like on my Dagger Zydeco). The seat is far better than that on my $1,200 kayak! Adjusting the seat can be done very easily while you are sitting in the boat, which is great! However, if you have the seat-back in its highest position, it can make self-rescues (ladder rescues) from the rear a bit difficult. I would recommend lowering the seat back (which is very easy) prior to beginning your climbing.

The keyhole is enormous and makes get in and out a breeze. With the Cockpit Console it feels much smaller. The watertight compartments are well within reach and easy accessible while sitting in the cockpit. A GPS, 32 oz Nalgene water bottle, or a smaller water bottle fit perfectly. Footpegs / braces are easily adjustable and offer many positions and are sized well. Not too big to get in the way if you want to stretch out. Because the cockpit keyhole is so large you can take on a lot of water if you are in a heavy sea (such as in the Great Lakes, where I paddle frequently. But this can be overcome with good technique).

Rear "watertight" compartment. This is where I had to decrease my overall evaluation number from a 10 to a 9. The material of the bulkhead and / or the sealing adhesive separated at the hull and permits water to enter this stowable area. Not that big of a deal really, but, defeats the purpose of having a watertight area. I have noticed that on my boat I have less sealant applied than on my other Wilderness Systems boats. Just an observation.

Deck rigging is nice. Typical of most recreational kayaks. Not a lot. Not too little. No paddle park or paddle holder. I have only added a Navisafe 3-color Navigation light for nighttime excursions (which I HIGHLY recommend!). It fit perfectly onto the forward area of the deck where the WS logo sticker is. I simply removed it and attached it with the hardware. It was money well spent for Nav Lights that are simple, work well and ease to use.

Summary:
If I had it to do all over again... I would totally do it again! I love this kayak. It is well behaved, stable, comfortable and efficient. bIt would be VERY difficult to find a boat like this at its price point of $875.

Other gear: NRS Clearwater PFD, Navisafe tri-color navigation Light, Bending Branches Whisper 240 Paddle.

Shout Out to The Outdoor Source in Upper Arlington, Ohio. The staff (and owner) were extremely knowledgable, helpful, and friendly with superior service. If you are in Central Ohio or North Central Ohio... do yourself a favor and go there!

I recently purchased a new WS Pungo 120 from LL Bean to add to our fleet...which consists of 5 more Wilderness System kayaks. On our way home we stopped for gas and immediately noticed that the Pungo was oil canning (denting) in the sun. (Yes, it was a hot day, but I'm in New England, not New Mexico!) After examining the kayak more closely we realized how thin the plastic was, no comparison to our others. So we turned around and returned it! LL Bean was wonderful about the return, just guessing that maybe the company is just trying to lighten their kayaks?!? Personally, I'll manage the extra few pounds in exchange for a tougher, more ridged boat that tracks well!

I received my Wilderness systems Pungo 120 as a birthday present and i love it. Its got a huge cockpit to fit both me and my dog, and still lots of leg room. It tracks well, esp in bigger waves, and has a comfortable seat. Mt only complaint is that as a lady who has Osteoarthritis in most of her body adding 2 handles (kind of like small towel bars) on the cockpit would make getting in and out a lot easier as it is, there's barely enough to grab a hold of to pull myself up into a standing position!! (which is the only way I can get in or out??) But the easability of handling the kayak out on the lake is top notch!!

First, I'm rating this kayak as a purely recreational boat and not in the broader spectrum of all kayaks. If short distance outings on calm water are all you're looking for then this is a great kayak. The highly touted Phase 3 Seating System is as good as advertised. The seat is cool, supportive, and very adjustable.

The kayak in general is very comfortable. The ridiculously large cockpit gives ample room to not only get in and out, but also to move around while paddling. The cockpit is also large enough to carry some gear, a child, or even a dog. The rear hatch compartment has even more storage space that stays dry. I never had a problem with leakage, but then again, the stern deck is very high and you would not be out in any waves here. The orbital hatch levers are easy to use.

The Pungo tracks very straight and is relatively fast for its class of kayak. You can manage some slight edging to aid in turning but the Pungo is built to stay upright. For safeties sake I would recommend a flotation bag in the bow. I was caught off guard when a wind storm suddenly kicked up on a large lake and the Pungo is not made for these conditions. Water broke over the bow and into the cockpit. I was never in real trouble but I could see how easy you could get there if in any worse conditions. I sold my Pungo after a few outings because I could see that I wanted to do more than the Pungo was capable of.

If you want to develop your skills as a paddler and go on trips over 10 miles, then the Pungo is not for you. As I said in the beginning, it is a recreational kayak.

I love my Pungo 120. It tracks easy and is very steady . Nice large cockpit and a very comfortable adjustable seat. It has a dashboard with cup holders and a mesh bag with a velcro close tab and a dry well. I recommend this kayak to anyone looking for a great recreational kayak.

After reviewing many kayaks from several different manufacturers it became clear that Widerness Systems had the best seats in their kayaks. My wife, who is afraid of the water, took the Pungo 120 for a test ride at an L.L. Bean Discovery Class and loved it so much we bought one. It has a stable ride, comfortable seat and tracks well. If not for the Pungo my wife would not go near the water!

My husband purchased 2 kayaks, a new one for me and a used one for our kids. We had kayaked last summer using a much shorter kayak which was harder to maneuver.

The first time trying out the Pungo 120 I was pleasantly surprised to find out how easy it was to maneuver. It moved through the water quickly and stayed on the straight and narrow. It turns with ease. My 6 and 8 year old had no problems paddling their kayak once they got used to it.

It does not seem tippy. They are easy to get in and out of. The cockpit is is roomy. The seat is adjustable and very comfortable. We were kayaking for several hours and was comfortable the whole time. There seems to be sufficient storage although our trips do not require us to carry much. I would like to do more fishing so I would like to get an attachment to place my pole. The kayaks are fairly lightweight. They have handles at both ends that allows my children to help me carry them. We plan to use them mostly on small quiet lakes and are quite content with these kayaks.

I kayak in local lakes, so before I bought my own boat, I tried out a lot of different brands and models. A lot of people seem to like this boat, because I see a lot of them around, but while I like the length, the Pungo series simply didn't do much for me. I liked the Tsunamis much more, but then, that's really comparing apples and oranges, since the Pungo is more of a recreational model, whereas the Tsunami is more of a touring model.

If this type of kayak is what you like, then you'll probably be very happy with it, but I preferred the touring models

I picked up the next-to-latest version of this boat used last month for $450, paddle and vest included. It still has the rubber hatch and the older, less plush version of the Phase 3 seat. I'm going to sell it, but not because it's a bad boat.

It's a fantastic rec boat for big guys. Wildy really has an interesting design here. This is the only boat I've seen that combines both extreme stability and decent speed. The Pungo has a long waterline and a bulbous cockpit. Nearly impossible to flip, but it still goes like a rocket in smooth water. This is a great boat for lazy, stagnant summer days on smooth lakes and streams.

As with any hull design, there are tradeoffs. Here, the tradeoff is that the Pungo can't turn very well, and it turns into a helpless windvane/cork when chop kicks up. It also has a strange wake action that will cause it to lurch away from the shore if you get too close at cruising speed.

I'm selling the boat, because it doesn't work well as a kid-carrying boat. The hull is not flat enough, and there is very little room under the combing to fit my muscular thighs. It might work better for an older, taller kid, but not my 2yo.

I retired in 2012 so we decided to purchase 2 kayaks after renting, borrowing, etc. The staff at the EMS local store and friends in the AMC voted for the Wilderness Pungo 12. We have been very pleased with these boats; extremely stable, track very well, nice features including the dashboard (sometimes we don't bother with it on short paddles) and the rear hatch. This is definitely the best recreational kayak made. At AMC paddling nights almost everyone has this boat.

I bought this kayak as an upgrade from another that I had bought at a big box store. After a lot of research online, this one seemed like the one to go with. I almost went with a Pungo 140, but that would have been a bit too big for paddling lakes and slow rivers like I do.

This is a great kayak for larger paddlers (I'm 6' with a large frame). I never have issues with getting in or out, and have plenty of room to move around. The boat rides well for my size. The website for Wilderness Systems says this boat will hold up to 325 lbs. I'd say if you get past 275 lbs, you are pushing it though. Beyond that, it will ride low and maybe be harder to control.

Plenty of storage for a day out. You could stuff a dry bag in the bow, have even more storage there. I think it would handle gear for an overnight trip if you were a minimalist.

The boat rides well on flat water, and in a little bit of chop. It's noticably slower to turn then my old 10' kayak, but it's not too bad.

I have a couple of minor issues with this boat.

1. The dry storage in the console isn't completely dry. I use small dry bags with the dry storage hatch, sometimes I notice some drops of water on them. I tossed the console into the lake one time, and saw about a quarter cup of water in the hatch when I opened it. The rear dry hatch seems water tight, but my wife the other day said she noticed some water in the stern dry area. Either got in around the hatch, or at the stern dry wall. I am going to re-seal the dry wall, maybe that will help.
2. The console is great for storage and some sun protection. It's not a replacement for a skirt though, even a half skirt. The holes allow water to drip on your legs, which could be irritating. As well, there are some sharper edges on the console that I've lost some skin on.

Overall a great boat, only minor complaints.

I love my Pungo 120. It tracks well n the water and is very comfortable. I love the added console where I can have my camera, sunglasses, water bottle within arms reach.

We were looking for a family activity and after all the research was done the Pungo line from Wilderness Systems seemed to be the winner. Couldn't be happier (good thing as we bought 4) Quality is excellent.

As a beginner I don't have much to compare to, other than research and experienced friends' opinions but as far as my opinion they are easy to use seem stable enough (I'm a big guy so my center of gravity sits a little higher than the rest) nice features to keep newbie comfortable. I particularly like the seating system as it is adjustable not only can you make it fit you, but during a longer outing you can change it to stay comfortable. The orbix hatch lid is a nice feature, easy to access and easy to close.

My only regret is, being bigger I wish my sales person had steered me to the 140 instead of the 120, the 120 handles me just fine but as it sits a little low in the water its tough keeping up with my wife some days...

The boat is surprisingly more stable than anticipated, tracks well, and turns with little effort. My boat has the optional console which is very functional for holding small objects, gear, bottles, etc. If they could drop 7 to 10 pounds weight, rating would be a 10.

Very high initial stability due to the hard chines. Over-sized cockpit and adjustable foot braces allow almost anyone to paddle this kayak. Smaller paddlers will even find enough room for fido (so long as he's not a Great Dane)

I now own two of these (bought one for my wife too) and have spent a significant amount of time in both. One is set up for fishing and the other is stock (right off the shelf). I am 5'8" and the kayak is very comfortable and stable. I have spent a lot of time on lakes fishing. Fishing is the reason it did not get a 10. Do to the limit on space and ease of being able to access the rear storage area. I did the South Dakota Kayak Challenge in my stock one. 72 miles on the Missouri river in a 12 foot kayak is not recommended, but I finished. I was one of the few that finished in a recreational kayak. I love this kayak and think it is a great starter kayak for anyone because of ease of paddling and stability.