Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 & 125 Kayaks

[@laylow8648]

I have 3 120's for about 8 years now and can not complain about anything. We use it just to paddle the lakes close to our cabin. 2 -3 hours were good and happy.

[@myronp243]

This is my next kayak.Great kayak with all the features I want.

[@groovymoon]

I just got a new to me Pungo 120 and it is HEAD AND SHOULDERS better than anything else I have every paddled.. period

[@korndawggy1801]

I read about these and watched different reviews. Pretty sure this is what I want. I'd like to see more reviews of the Wilderness Systems Tarpon also.

[@1TUFZUK]

Would be nice to see a sun shade type of attachment

[@MrSovrin]

Me and my buddy finally settled on this one after trying out a couple of others that did not work nearly as well. Well worth it. www.amazon.com/Adventure-Canopies-Kayak-Yellow-Elevated/dp/B07FYVFPG1/ref=asc_df_B07FYVFPG1/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343161289152&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7434134318441110356&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016171&hvtargid=pla-696493884926&ref=&adgrpid=74745022731&th=1&psc=1

[@RobertKingofMaine]

Video very well done! How did you get the seat so far back? I am looking at one here in Maine. And the seat does not slide...or does it? In your video your seat is much farther back than the seat in the Pungo 125 I am looking at here . Thanks.

[@whatfreedom7]

Like the bungee cargo system. Mine is just permanently tied and can’t be moved and sometimes get in the way.

[@robertpapps5383]

Enjoyed your review. Large storage area at the "stern" of the kayak .

[@TheAgentAssassin]

I wonder if you can put a fin where the skid plate is?

[@OutdoorsOriented]

I haven't heard of anyone doing this before, but anything's possible! The Pungo's track very well for their length as it is, so chances are you wouldn't notice the need. If you were paddling bigger bodies of water where you had a need for a skeg or rudder then you'd probably want to start looking at something like the Tsunami series from Wilderness Systems anyways.

[@BDiHaze]

Great vid. What would be the best kayak to go camping in and bring my mid sized cattle dog?

[@buddybuck]

Great video! Now the real question.... How / where in the heck can I buy a mango 125?

[@OutdoorsOriented]

I hear ya! They're certainly hard to come by this summer.

[@Blackcat-fw4tl]

@@OutdoorsOriented can you buy these anywhere in the UK ! England ?

[@OutdoorsOriented]

@@Blackcat-fw4tl Wilderness Systems has a dealer locator on their website, I'd suggest checking that out.

[@TheGhostfaceKLR]

I'm trying to figure out if the 120 or the 125 is the right size. I keep reading (and hearing) "smaller" vs "larger" paddlers. But what does that mean? Are we talking short vs tall or thin vs fat? Both my wife and I are about 6ft tall, under 200lb. Are we "larger"? Is the 125 the right size for us?

[@OutdoorsOriented]

I'd say at your size you're probably better in the 125, but the best bet would be to try and sit in both. It's hard to put an exact number on it due to body shapes, but typically I'd say over 180lbs, or 5'10" and you'd be more comfortable in the 125.

[@stevekimball7697]

Trying to decide on the 125 Pungo or the 145 Tsunami. Will be on lakes big and small including Lake Superior when it's calm. Please help! Thank YOU!

[@OutdoorsOriented]

Between the two you'll find a few big differences. The Tsunami would cover distance better, offer more control and has two sealed bulkheads (for flotation in the event of a capsize) however it's not quite as stable and roomy as the Pungo. You can also get a rudder on the Tsunami where you can't on the Pungo. We love the Pungo, but for bigger lakes the Tsunami's probably the better choice.

[@joesalemi2414]

I don’t understand why they stopped making the 140.

[@OutdoorsOriented]

Agreed! It was certainly less popular than the shorter ones, but it was perfect for some people.

[@dirkbertels3872]

I'm looking for a dual purpose kayak, one that can handle both sea coastal waters and wilderness larger rivers and lakes. Is a kayak like this suitable, and, more generally, should I go for a sea kayak or wilderness kayak?

[@OutdoorsOriented]

If you're going to be paddling in larger bodies of water you'd want to look at more of a "touring" kayak style. These will have smaller cockpits which allow for better control, along with bulkheads at both the front and back which offer many benefits. As great as the Pungo's are, they're more designed for sheltered water. From Wilderness Systems you could look at the Tsunami or Tempest series for something that's better suited for bigger water.

[@iowamatt2519]

I own a couple of 120's and I just purchased a 105 for my wife and a 125 for myself. The 125 is a complete disappointment. I'm 275 nad the back of the boat is almost underwater with no gear. Tracks terrible due to that. I have the Aspire 105 and it is night and day better, but not big enough to camp for extended trips. I typically run in a Radar 135 but bought this boat thinking I would gain speed, boy was I wrong. I'm a hardcore Wilderness Systems guy, but this has me looking to other brands.

[@OutdoorsOriented]

That's too bad Matt. Usually if people are looking for something from the Wilderness Systems line for extended trips we'll steer them towards the Tsunami line. Something like the 145 might work, although according to specs it's a lower capacity than the Pungo 125. Might still be a good idea to check out though since there's more length there and it would definitely track straighter and faster.

[@SQWIB]

@@OutdoorsOriented @Iowa Matt On my most recent 3 day trip Down the Delaware River, I packed about 50 pounds (yeah I know, Heavy) of gear. I was 215 pounds at the time. Total weight was 275lbs., IMHO, that is about the Maximum "optimal weight" for the Pungo 125. The Pungo 125 Max Weight is 425lbs. I had "0" issues on tracking, I haven't noticed any difference in tracking, fully loaded for camping or without any gear. My Pungo 125 sits low in the water with or without the gear, this is the design of the Kayak. I have a buddy that paddles a Loon 126 (450lb cap.) and he kept remarking at how low mine sits in the water. I tried explaining that it is the design and reduces weather-cocking. I'm not sure if he believes it was the design or my loaded weight but I had "0" problems paddling in extremely windy conditions on that trip. I believe his Loon, (sits much higher out of the water than the Pungo), was more susceptible to the wind than the Pungo. If you look at various videos of the Pungo's, you will notice that they do indeed sit very low "by design". I would say, Iowa Matt is at the "Max" optimal weight for the Pungo 125 but I am stumped as to why he has tracking issues. I offered some advice to someone paddling a Pungo 125 that was having serious tracking issues, the husband had the same kayak with "0" tracking issues, turns out that she was like 110 lbs. soaking wet, I suggested adding ballast to find the sweet spot for better tracking. Matt, maybe you would be more comfortable in The Old Town Loon 126? From the Wilderness Systems website; "The Pungo has a very defined skeg (stern) which stays planted very well, even in a crosswind. The Pungo is less prone to wind cocking. Turning the Pungo and even compensating for a minor crosswind is easy in the Pungo by leaning it slightly. Although you can lean into a turn (lean to the right and turn the boat to the right), it is even more effective to lean out of a turn (lean to the right and turn the boat to the left). It takes some getting used to but is very effective. Being able to lean the boat to turn is one of the features of a touring boat that is present on the Pungo but not flat-bottomed recreational boats.

[@brianhoughton5762]

I plan to purchase one but I don't know if I should get the 120 or 125. I am 5'11" and 195lbs. Which one is recommended? Also I'm looking for a kayak that's good on lakes and ponds (good tracking) but can also handle up to class 2 (low volume) rivers. Is this kayak right for me?

[@OutdoorsOriented]

Hi Brian, You're right on the edge of sizes, but I'd be inclined to recommend the 125 as it'll give you a bit more leg room. Pungo's offer very good tracking for their length, so it'll work well on lakes and ponds. For the moving water you just need to be aware that because of the large cockpit you won't have as much control over it as you would in something with a smaller cockpit with dedicated thigh braces. This wouldn't be an issue for basic moving water, but wouldn't work once you're into conditions that require more manuevering or rougher water.

[@traviswhitworth6506]

Sounds like you might want to take a look at a dagger axis 12.0. it's made for what you just described. I just got one and will be taking it out for the first time tomorrow.

[@finix5515]

How much does that kayak weight?

[@OutdoorsOriented]

The Pungo 105 is 47lbs., Pungo 120 is 49lbs., and Pungo 125 is 53lbs.

[@paulrosenau4930]

Define small vs large paddler with respect to 120 vs 125. I’m 6’ 190#

[@OutdoorsOriented]

I'd say the 125 would be best for your size.

[@paulrosenau4930]

@@OutdoorsOriented That’s what I ended up getting.👍

[@franmartinez779]

I'm interested in this kayack, I'm in California, how much is this kayack and how long...and where can I buy one.

[@OutdoorsOriented]

Hi Fran, The best bet for you would be to go to the Wilderness Systems website and use the dealer locator feature.

[@joemangini416]

you really don't want one, been trying to get rid of mine for a looonnnng time.

[@OutdoorsOriented]

Curious what it is you don't like about it Joe? Around here second hand Pungo's are a hot commodity.

[@buddybuck]

You still trying to sell it?

[@MikeProut]

😊👍👍

[@PaddleDogC5]

No bow flotation sucks for self rescue

[@OutdoorsOriented]

Agreed, although you can always put a float bag in the front if you wanted. Wilderness Systems also offers the Tsunami 125 which is a similar length but with more "touring" features like bow and stern hatches with bulkheads.

[@nickyl9040]

Wilderness Systems seriously fucked up when they discontinued the Pungo 140

[@Soandsoguy]

This video was ok. Could have been better. It lacked details and explanation.

[@jaykay643]

Nice but overpriced

[@thejimmy6533]

What should the price be in your opinion?

[@jaykay643]

@@thejimmy6533 The Pungo's highly rated but I can't see $1300 plus tax plus paddle...especially for occasional use 2 or 3 times a year. $900 seems enough

[@thejimmy6533]

@@jaykay643 It's not $1300, it's $999 (plus tax, of course). And you're going to purchase a paddle whether you're getting a Pungo or a $200 cheapo kayak, so that shouldn't even be a part of your "overpriced" equation. If you're going to only use a kayak two or three times a year, then the price point and quality of the Pungo obviously isn't for you. Do you also comment on the review videos for kayaks that are two to three times more expensive than the Pungo? I'm sure those are way overpriced as well for only using them two or three times a year.

[@jaykay643]

@@thejimmy6533 I'm in Canada. the Pungo 120 was under $1k, then $1279 last year, now $1349. The price keeps climbing for what Wilderness calls "a recreational" kayak.

[@thejimmy6533]

@@jaykay643 Ahh, makes sense. The 120 and 125 currently both sell for $999 in the U.S.

[@goodcyrus]

Sounds an ad!