Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 Review

The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is a 12-foot, 2-inch long, 29-inch wide sit-inside kayak with a cockpit length of 54 inches. It has a dry storage hatch at the rear of the kayak and an on-deck bungee system for storage.

Performance Comparison

Glide and Tracking

Thanks to its 12-foot, 2-inch length and predominantly V-shaped hull, the Pungo 120 is comfortable maintaining a straight line and moving at speed. Due to its relatively wider design, it takes an extra stroke to accelerate compared to the swiftest kayaks in our lineup, but the Pungo can still cover 50 meters in a similar amount of time.

There is no rudder on the Pungo, and unlike other Wilderness Systems kayaks, this model is not designed to be compatible with the addition of one. However, the Pungo is designed to track well without this tool, and in sheltered conditions, it can maintain a long straight glide without paddler assistance.

Stability

The hull of the Pungo is designed with stability as its focus. With great primary and secondary stability, this kayak was one we felt very secure in. It has a gentle V shape that only feels unstable when sitting on flat ground. As soon as you are in the water, the Pungo is satisfyingly steady.

The wide hull and low seat position further enhance the stability of this steady boat. We took this kayak down gentle class II rapids with novice kayakers, and although this boat isn't specifically designed for those conditions, it could handle it without trouble.

Maneuverability

Designed to be easy to move around on the water, the Pungo is simple to adjust so you can steer where you wish. It is also relatively quick to turn 360 degrees considering how long the kayak is. You can improve the efficiency of a turn in a kayak with a hull like this by actually leaning out away from the turn. This may feel counterintuitive and is contrary to what you would do in a flat or round-hulled kayak. However, once you get used to it, it is highly effective.

If you were to fully capsize the Pungo on flat water, you could swim the kayak to land and empty it out as long as you were close enough to a shoreline. There isn't a drain plug to help with this, so a friend is really the most useful tool. If you are not close to land, this kayak isn't designed for self-rescue out on the water, and this would be particularly dangerous if you were in any moving currents like rivers or ocean swells where the kayak can fill with water relatively quickly and easily become a 500lb + weight. If kept in the gentle waters for which this kayak was designed, you can avoid this hazard.

Ease of Transport

While thicker plastic makes the Pungo very durable, it does increase the kayak's weight. Weighing in at 49 pounds, this kayak makes it into the heavyweight category compared to others we tested for this review.

On the plus side, the thick molded plastic handles are some of the most comfortable we came across in our testing, and this definitely makes the task of transportation slightly less tedious if you have a buddy to share the load.

Stronger paddlers may be able to lift this kayak onto their car roof by themselves, but this is not a task that we enjoy, particularly after a long, tiring paddle. The wide cockpit makes it difficult to do the usual kayak deadlift, so a kayak trolley or roof rack load assistor will be much appreciated by the solo paddler. Alternatively, if you are not concerned about the loss of performance and comfort, there are lighter kayaks on the market.

Comfort

The vast leg room and wide cockpit make the Pungo one of the easiest to access and comfiest to sit in out of all our sit-inside models. The seat has multiple points of adjustability to ensure you can get your legs and back at the best angle for your activity and comfort. The padded sides help to ensure your legs don't rub

There are adjustable foot pegs on the sides of the kayak, unlike some other models we tested. They are designed to be easily adjustable from your seated position and don't require any awkward movements if you decide to change your leg position mid-paddle. Users found these footpegs sturdy and comfortable.

Construction Quality

The kayak shell is made of uncompromising plastic that we suspect can handle far more than the actual kayak is designed to withstand. There is also a replaceable skid plate on the rear of the hull to protect it if you happen to drag the kayak up on rocks or across a beach or parking lot.

The Pungo 120 has an oblong-shaped dry hatch that is 15.5 inches long by 9.5 inches wide. Although the entrance dimensions limit the shape of the objects you stash, we have successfully loaded overnight camping supplies. There is additional space behind the seat for storing dry bags and an on-deck bungee system to stash spare paddles or whatever else you fancy. With ample and easily accessible leg room, adventurous travelers could easily store additional supplies in their foot well, though we would be careful storing anything there if you venture into rough waters where you could tip over.

The Pungo comes with a removable dashboard pod that can be attached to the front of the cockpit. This enables users to customize their deck to ensure they have everything they need on hand for their particular adventure. It includes cup holders, a place for your battery, and even a removable dry box. We could see paddlers using this box for snacks, fishing gear, or safety supplies. Unfortunately, the dashboard pod doesn't seem to be made of the same high-quality plastic as the rest of the kayak.

Should You Buy the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120?

The Pungo 120 is not the most expensive kayak we tested, but it is near the top of our lineup. Delivering all-around performance and maintaining comfort, its many features bump its price above other less expensive competitors. We felt that the performance and quality of this kayak justify the price tag, particularly because of its overall construction quality. We enjoyed paddling this kayak and think you will too.

What Other Kayaks Should You Consider?