Gear Review: Wilderness Systems Pungo 140 Kayak

Value Rating: 10 Durability Rating: 9 Overall Rating: 9 Location of Test: Scappoose Bay Duration: Four hours Product Name: Pungo 140 Product Brand: Wilderness Systems Best Use: Recreational kayaking / overnight camping Sizes Available/Specs: 14' , two bulkheads, 28" Beam, locking hatches. 58lbs, 350lb max weight, and a massive 57" cockpit. Also comes with a removable dash panel. Available in Desert Camo, Midnight, and Red. The Full Review I took this kayak out for a couple hours out in the bay. First: I liked the look. Second: if I was ever to purchase a recreational kayak I wanted something that was maneuverable, fast, and had a huge cockpit for gear, lots of gear. The second time going out was on a nocturnal tour, we ended up heading out to some more turbulent water, even then it handled like a Cadillac. The Good: I can take a nap in this kayak. The seat adjusts more ways than some modern cars, and its ridiculously comfortable. The boat tracks fairly straight. The large cockpit size makes hauling excessive gear a breeze. I also find this a great kayak for a dog owner. Its a great kayak to practice edging without fear of tipping for beginners... and there's the price... it's perfect! for everything you get with this kayak, including the removable dash panel, it's a fantastic buy for anyone. The Bad: There are only two flaws I can point out. The seals for the bulkhead hatches do leak and at times are difficult to seal. This problem is known and I believe a fix was put in place for newer model years. Next would be the foot pegs, they seem fairly fragile, but I'm also an aggressive paddler so that may be the problem. The Bottom Line: If someone is in the market for a great recreational kayak I strongly recommend this to anyone. It's affordable, durable, has lots of room and has enough hard chine to it to keep you afloat no matter what your experience is. You could even take this kayak on an expedition to a large lake, semi turbulent river, etc. The color options are great, Wilderness Systems' kayaks continue to impress me.