How to Choose a Kayak
Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 Kayak - 2018
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
This roomy day-touring kayak features an impressive balance of manageability, stability, speed and comfort. It has ample storage capacity and handles nicely on lakes and slow-moving streams.
Shop newer version- Large open cockpit makes it easy to get in and out and provides extra room to shift about
- Multi-chine hull is very efficient and provides great stability for any level paddler
- Removable Kayak Konsole provides added storage space and convenience
- Phase 3 AirPro seating system has 6-way adjustment so you can customize your seating position to meet your comfort needs
- Contoured seat and seat back have variable padding densities, more where you need it and less where you don't, saving on weight and improving breathability
- Seat's leg lifter has a softer edge that contours to thighs, alleviating pressure points that cause legs to go numb
- Thigh and knee padding with slidelock foot brace system maximizes comfort and ensures optimal paddling position
- Full-size, watertight stern hatch with bulkhead holds your lunch and extra clothes
- Bungee deck rigging provides added space to secure dry bags
- Soft-touch, ergonomic carry handles have soft rubber construction for easy portage to and from the water
Made in USA.
View all Wilderness Systems Recreational Kayaks| Best Use | Flatwater Kayaking |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Rotomolded polyethylene |
| Length | 12 feet |
| Width | 29 inches |
| Depth | 13 inches |
| Weight | 49 pounds |
| Cockpit Size | 57 x 22 inches |
| Seat Type | Padded / Foam |
| Number of Paddlers | 1-person |
| Paddle Included | No |
| Hatch Capacity | Unavailable |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 325 pounds |
| Tracking System | None |
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
perfect boat for me
mistersnoid10 years ago
I did some research to find the perfect boat for me, and this is it! My intended use is flat-water paddling and fishing. It's light enough for me to lift onto my car's roof-rack, where I put it cockpit up, then flip it upside-down and cinch with two web straps. takes about five minutes.
It's wide enough for good stability, which is aided by the hard chines and bottom design. it doesn't like to turn, but will readily do so with wide paddle strokes, and back-paddles on the opposite side. What it wants to do is go straight, and it does a great job of it, even directly into a stiff breeze. A few strokes gets this puppy barreling along at a good clip.
The rear storage compartment, while not totally waterproof, is pretty much so, and can be reached while in the boat. the cockpit opening is enormous, and makes it very easy to enter and exit. The foot pegs are easily adjustable without reaching, and there is padding on the sides for your thighs.
This isn't a whitewater boat, and it doesn't have the capacity for a long camping trip, unless you can do it with minimal gear. but for recreating on the lake or reservoir, and doing a little fishing, it's near-perfect.
now, I think I'll get one for my wife...
mistersnoid
Baltimore, MD, United States
76 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Somewhat disappointing
BCDE9 years ago
Not as great as I'd hoped. Seat needs more adjustability. Could not get the back upright enough for my comfort preference. Back hatch is not waterproof. Water leaks in through the rear bulkhead. Do use a skirt, or at the very least the deck or you are going to get quite wet. Didn't track the greatest going down river either. Had to constantly adjust course.
On the up side it felt very stable and roomy.
BCDE
AK
13 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Justyakin
Wilderness Pungo 120 kayak
9 years ago
This kayak has been on my wish list for awhile now and decided to go ahead and make the purchase. I am so glad that I did! The seat is very comfortable and has several adjustment straps so you can get the perfect seating option. The back storage compartment is HUGE! I am planning on using this for overnight river camp trips and I will be able to store all of my gear (and probably others) in there as well. The color pattern is a little different than what is shown online, however, that is to be expected. I am very happy with this purchase and can't wait to get out on the water!
Yes , I recommend this product
Whiskeyndjar
Denton, TX, United States
Big Folks this Yak is for you!
9 years ago
In the past REI has not been my first choice for gear due to lack of sizes for us plus size folk. That is no longer the case for me! The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is the best craft meeting all the criteria I have for Kayaks! It's ease of access,and maneuverability make for outstanding outings. The seat and foot pads ease of operation are excellent and simple to use while in the water and the removable dashboard is a great innovation and plus factor. The sales staff were most knowledgeable and courteous at the South Lake store in the DFW area. What are you waiting for? Get ya one now! Mark Connor Davis Co-founder of Pod Nerds in Grime
Yes , I recommend this product
Ironcat4
Dallas, Texas, United States
Pungo 120 - review worth reading
9 years ago
This review comes after the first paddle of our new Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 kayaks. This evening my wife and I loaded up our new Lime Green Pungo Kayaks for the first time. Historically we have always paddled a tandem boat and as you might as well guess we sold it and looking to upgrade kayaks. She wanted tandems and I wanted singles. I shopped all the boats available in the price range under $1000 and there were only a few requirements that I really required. 12 foot or longer, stable, easy for me to load rooftop on the Subaru, and a boat that tracks true. That's really a tall order now that I look at it but the Pungo 120 certainly checks al l the boxes for us. We paddled a very large open lake called Ray Hubbard Resevoir just East of Dallas. Waves were quite calm tonight and turned to glass as the sun set. I watched my wife paddle very easy strokes and she was skimming across the water with ease. Myself, I was paddling at about 60% compared to normal and was also zipping across the water. I didn't have the GPS to identify my speed but historically in other boats if would cruise about 3.5 mph at 90-100% paddling. We were easily doing 3-3.5 and paddling around 60% of normal effort. Overall I am very pleased with the boats first outing. Easy paddling, tracking was very impressive, turning was gentle as expected. I do want to upgrade our paddles to a lighter Werner performance paddle, thinking that combined with the new kayak will be a winning combination. The removable console is a nice addition, has a small dry storage bin along with a few pockets for stuff. Comes on and off really easy. Tonight I had it on for the sake of holding our stuff. So if your on the fence about the Pungo 120, if you can't rent or borrow one I'm confident that your purchase will be just as great as mine was. The Pungo 120 kayak is great. Pick your color and toss it in the water.
Yes , I recommend this product
richc06
Highland Michigan
Great Boat
10 years ago
I've had this boat on my wish list for about 3 years now and this summer I finally pulled the trigger and bought it. I have to admit the boat is a bit pricey but if your an avid paddler than its well worth the investment. I've had no issues with it. the seat is comfortable and it cuts the water like a dream. The only drawback is the weight. This baby weighs about 50 pounds. I drive a Jeep Wrangler and after a day of paddling on the river it can feel a lot heavier when trying to rack it back up. Overall this thing is first class, I plan on buying another one when my son gets a little bigger. Well worth the money.
Yes , I recommend this product
jrkpilot
Charlotte, NC
Wonderful boats!
7 years ago
My wife and I bought his and hers Pungo 120's last spring ( and all the great gear ) from REI after a lot of research and recommendations from friends. These boats are fabulous for our lake and creek touring and occasional camping. They have tons of storage, they glide though the water, and they are not too heavy to load onto the Subaru for us. We are ages 63 and 57. I'm 5'11 185lbs and my wife is 5'8 140. they fit us easily with plenty of room to spare and seats are so comfortable. The removable consoles are wonderful. We can paddle for hours without fatigue ( especially for me with my bad back ). So glad we bought the 12 footers. Thank you Wilderness !
Yes , I recommend this product
Kingbird
Clovis, CA, United States
Solid, feature rich and confidence inspiring
8 years ago
My wife and I are new to kayaking having bought our first boat (an inflatable) this spring. We soon decided that inflatables had their advantages but simply weren't right for us. I found my Pungo as a prior-year model closeout at our local REI. But while shopping for boats we tried several others that compete with the Pungo including a Perception Carolina 12, Necky Rip 12 and some sit-on-tops. My wife ended up preferring a sit-on-top but the experience showed me that my Pungo was, IMO, the best sit-in recreational boat on the market. The cockpit is roomy, the seat is comfortable and easy to adjust, the console is a very nice amenity and I like the way the hatches close. The boat feels very stable in the water with both good initial and secondary stability. However, like most recreational boats there is no watertight compartment in the bow. So if you roll the boat the bow tends to fill with water making a self-rescue a challenge (learned this in my daughter's swimming pool thankfully). I intend to add some flotation to the bow to address this issue. This is definitely not a white-water boat nor is is suitable for long-distance touring. But for a recreational boat for anyone who wants to enjoy flat water paddling the Pungo simply can't be beat.
Yes , I recommend this product
Fletcher
Quincy, CA
Flip it over before you leave the store
7 years ago
While REI is working on getting this taken care of, based on other reviews, this boat seems prone to damage on the keel during shipping. I did not notice the reviews until after I picked the boat up, and after getting it in the water and I notice it tracked hard to the right, once out of the water I flipped it over and sure enough, the keel had been crushed and knocked out of alignment. The cockpit is very comfortable, and the seat adjusts easily while in the boat, the console feature is removable and held in place with a bungee that wraps around the cockpit and could not be used with a skirt. Assuming I can get one that tracks true, it is a quick boat the takes little effort to get moving.
riomaxer
oregon
room to move
10 years ago
Just took my my 1st short paddle in this boat. Its extremely stable. Getting the seat adjusted just right took a little time but once dialed in was very comfortable. I'm 6' 195lbs. The cockpit provides plenty of room to move around and get comfortable. Footpegs adjust easily. While not quite as fast as my 14' necky, the added stability, better maneuverability and lighter weight are a fair trade off for day trips. A great overall boat.
Yes , I recommend this product
1stMidd
Minneapolis, MN, United States
Glad I bought it
10 years ago
I've been looking at the Pungo 120 for a while. I finally pulled the trigger and bought one. I've been out 3 times in it in the first 2 weeks. About 5 hrs of boat time. I love it. It's so much more comfortable than any of the rentals I've used. I'm 6'4" so I needed a yak with a big cockpit. I fit very comfortably into the Pungo. It runs true and is fun to be in. The adjustable seat is awesome. Now I need some fishing accessories.
Yes , I recommend this product
Moose68
Winthrop, Maine
Great Recreational Kayak
7 years ago
This is my fourth Wilderness Systems Pungo and I also have a WS Pamlico tandem which has the same hull design. In addition, I have 3 other kayaks of various manufacturers. I find the Pungos superior in handling, stability, and performance. They offer the least resistance through the water and track well. The cockpit is roomy and comfortable. At about 46 pounds one person can load and offload the Pungo on a vehicle, however, it goes easier with two people. I am a Registered Maine Guide, I give kayak lessons and guide kayaking tours and much prefer the Pungos over other brands.
Yes , I recommend this product
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