Tsunami 120

I tried many kayaks before opting for the Tsunami 120. It is the perfect combination of maneuverability, tracking, and speed. It works well in both lakes and calmer rivers, and isn't designed too much for one to be great for the other. The cockpit size is relatively small/narrow, compared to other kayaks in the same size range, but is a great option for those of smaller stature or women.

This is my 2nd kayak and what a surprise when I got in. It's a very comfortable kayak with tons of seat adjustments. You feel very safe in it and confident when navigating choppy waters. I use this kayak on rivers and streams as well out on the Great Lakes.

I purchased it with the rudder and happy I did so. On windy days the rudder helps to keep me on course and makes things easier and more enjoyable.

If you're looking to do long day trips or week long trips this kayak is perfect. I highly recommend purchasing the Tsunami 145 with a rudder.

The Wilderness Systems Tsunami 120 is the first kayak I've owned. I've been crazy about it since the first time I got it in the water. The only kayaks I had previously paddled were a W.S. Pungo 120 and a Perception Conduit 12.0, compared to my Tsunami both of those boats are sluggish and lumbering. This boat always tracks well, glides through the water almost effortlessly, and is nimble when turning. Among the group that I paddle with most often I can out perform most everyone else's boats with a few notable exceptions, due more to the paddler's skill that their kayak. While this boat may not be quite as agile as something shorter, it more than makes up for it in speed and grace. The only real complaints I have are that the foot pegs when extended all the way are still a bit too close for me to be truly comfortable and if the deck was about an inch higher I could straighten my feet up. Those two things aside I'm a huge fan of everything else from the color (Indigo), the bulk heads both fore and aft (though not completely water tight), and the seat which I find rather comfortable. I would recommend this boat to anyone that asked my opinion and to those that didn't.

The Tsunami 120s that we purchased 5 years ago have been perfect for us. We are "young at heart" retirees and have used them throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic; next up St Marys GA. Prior to these we had a 17'canoe. These kayaks have provided us with a stable and comfortable paddle on each usage; in addition to allowing each of us to be more independent. Because we usually stop somewhere on the water for a lunch break, the water proof storage compartments have served us well. As paddlers know, viewing and/or doing photography from the water vs. just the shore provides for many unique opportunities. For us because we do not do white water kayaking, this size, weight and length is extremely suited to our paddling needs. Thank you.

Perfect boat? Maybe. I was looking for a kayak for my son so he could paddle with me in my Tsunami 140. After narrowing the choices down I came across a good deal on the 12' version of my boat, so we took it home.

The Tsunami 120 has nice lines, excellent initial and secondary stability. It is light enough for a smaller person to carry by themselves. It has two bulkheads so if you were to flip (never happened to us except on purpose) water can't fill the entire boat. The two dry hatches are small so a solo camping trip would be more like backpacking, at least when it comes to room.

The biggest surprise came when I paddled this boat while a taller friend paddled my larger 140. Not only did it track like a dream but I had no problem keeping up with the longer boat. Note that I am 5' 9" and 200 lbs and I was not cramped. The only real drawback was that my size 11 1/2 shoes were a little snug inside the cockpit.

Why the 10 rating and perfect boat suggestion? We paddle mainly around north Georgia, TN, Alabama mountains on class 1 rivers and creeks as well as lakes. The size is perfect to negotiating obstacles but the tracking is great in open water. We usually have to compromise to get both types of paddling on single trip. The Tsumani 120 is not a compromise, just a near perfect kayak.

The Tsunami is very comfortable for recreational paddling. It is light and narrow with a nice sized cockpit. It is very easy to maneuver, skimming nicely across the water. It has 2 watertight compartments. The foot braces and seat are easy to adjust. It is just right for beginners to experienced kayakers.

I have been using my Tsunami 120 for two years now at Lake Tahoe in all conditions. It has proved ideal for my particular circumstances. I only do tours of less than a full day or night, so cargo capacity is not a concern. The relatively short length is an advantage in the short-interval steep waves that develop on the lake. It also lets me keep it on the top of my little car without having it stick out in back. Shores are rocky or have very coarse sand (often frozen rock-solid) so the durable plastic construction is wonderful. My previous boat, which I used since the late 1960s, was fiberglass, which constantly had to be repaired. My preferred conditions are during the high winds and waves of storm fronts during the winter.

Equipped with a spray suit and spray cover I routinely paddle the boat in 2-4 foot breaking waves and sometimes higher, in winds of 25-35 kts with higher gusts. The boat is amazingly stable in these conditions, sometimes with waves breaking over head level, and surfs like a charm. For simplicity I do not have a rudder. A peculiar advantage of this small boat is that my cruising speed matches well my wife's when she is out on her faster lightweight Tsunami 140 with rudder (which she loves).

My only problem thus far is that the raised seat creates a lot of wear on the inside of the spray covers. In heavy conditions I use a neoprene one, but the seat stripped the interior waterproof coating off my nylon cover after only a few trips.

Love this boat! I went looking for something I could carry myself so my limit was 50#; I had my eyes on the Tribute by Perception but it was a tight fit for my 5'5" frame. The folks at Mountainman put me into the Tsunami and I am in love!

It tracks almost perfectly and after the initial trial few times out, it is very stable. Great boat if you are ready to move to the next level. I had been paddling an Otter, which is still a nice little boat, but this is the next step. Took a little bit to get used to at first, but now I am very confident that this boat will serve me well for many years to come. Highly recommend this boat.

My first kayak - I looked at several models before deciding on the Tsunami 120. This is a great boat! I have a previous shoulder injury, so I needed something that really cut through the water easily and would track with little need to "brute force" the turning, etc.

This Kayak moves like a dream - I could go for hours - and it is very comfortable. I let my 11 yr old daughter give it a try, and she too was able to control it and move it well through the water. A great kayak!

I bought a Tsunami 120 in March. It was a 2007 leftover, so got a good deal and was able to afford the duralite model. I can't say enough good things about this boat. It would be hard for me to believe that this kayak is not the best in its class. the fit and finish; superior; hardware superior. plenty of storage and very comfortable seat.

I've used this boat on rivers, lakes, and the bays and lagoons in New Jersey and Delaware. The tracking is superb even in stiff 8 - 10 knot winds crossing the bay. on flat water or even small waves or a heavy chop the boat just glides with each stroke. On my vacation, I spent 5-6 hours a day for 5 days paddling the Tsunami without fatigue.

The footbraces and the seat are easy to adjust while you're in the boat. for me it was worth getting the duralite for the 10 pound weight advantage. I'm 5' 7" 170 lbs and I can get the boat on top of my Subaru Tribeca fairly easily. with kayaks i think lighter is better in most cases.

In Delaware, I was able to launch myself from 2 1/2 ft above the water line at low tide without the boat plowing under water. the bow never went under the water. the stability is excellent. Due to the v-shaped hull the boat will not sit flat on your lawn or the beach but once in the water it feels solid as a rock and inspires confidence. my wife, who was never in a kayak before tried it and was tracking straight from the first stroke.

If you want a rec/tour boat that you won't outgrow in one season, this is the one. Also the duralite in my opinion is quite durable. I've hit rocks at slow speed and beached my self on rocks and sand at high speed with only minor surface scratches on the hull. I bought the boat to use - not to keep pretty so the little scratches and scrapes are to be expected. If you're over 200 lbs, you might want to consider the Tsunami 125; I think the 120 might be a little tight. these are just my opinions but I have absolutely no complaints. And I LOVE to complain!!!