WILDERNESS SYSTEMS PUNGO

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Rik
Posts: 14006
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Location: Sarasota
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WILDERNESS SYSTEMS PUNGO

Post by Rik »

WILDERNESS SYSTEMS PUNGO
by Dave Loger

This year Wilderness Systems has completely redesigned one of their most popular products, the Pungo. The changes are extraordinary and it is now known as Velocity Rec Series. The Pungo is now offered in 10, 12, and 14 foot lengths to suit a broader range of paddlers and needs. The 140 is a sleeker, longer and faster version of their popular 12 footer. Wildy has stated that the new Pungo is “quicker and more resolute than most true sea kayaks.” A claim I have found to be completely correct, but with the generously sized cockpit at 55" x 19" it is easy to get in and out of. Plus it has a comforting secondary stability that will be appreciated by everyone.

pungotop.gif (12141 bytes) I had seen the redesigned Pungo for the first time at the Shallow Water Expo in Pinellas Park and was totally taken by the beauty of it. I had to paddle one! I called Brain Faulk at Canoe Escapes and asked him if he had one in stock for a short test paddle. He in turn asked me if I would like to take the 140 for the weekend on a paddle fishing excursion, a generous offer I could in no way refuse. Brian set me up with a khaki 140 from his fleet of rentals and off I went.

pugngoside.gif (6207 bytes) Upon closer inspection in my garage, the first feature I noticed about the 140 was the sleek, almost sea kayak like design of its hull with the same proven multi chine hull of the earlier models. Another improvement includes bow and stern rubber hatches. The rear bulkhead creates a watertight compartment pungocockpit1.JPG (32877 bytes) to keep your gear nice and dry. I found this to be a good feature during my paddle tests. In 2 foot seas without a spray skirt paddle drip and spray water accumulated in the cockpit. A half skirt is strongly recommended if you buy this boat to keep spray and paddle drip out. It also serves as a handy work table and stripping basket if you fly fish.

fronthatch1.JPG (14901 bytes) The stowage capacity of the new 140 will suit the needs of anglers and campers. With a weight capacity of 325 lbs. the cavernous hull will swallow up all your fishing gear and a weekends worth of camping equipment with ease, a few 6’6” rods can even be stowed below the fore deck out of the way.

The entire line of new Pungos come standard with a new seating concept brought out last year by Wilderness called Phase 3. The Phase 3 seat is completely adjustable 3 ways- A tug on the cord at the bottom of the seat raises the back for lateral comfort. The seat back adjusts forward and rearward. A tug on two loops at the side of the seat raise it to comfortably bring your legs up into a more natural position and take the strain off your lower back as you paddle. The Phase 3 seat is as close as you will come to your favorite lounge chair in your own kayak!

The hull on the Pungo 140 is more structurally sound at the deck and coaming area due to reinforcing the coaming area with more plastic in the molding process. The coaming and deck areas no longer compress easy like the earlier models.

Paddling the Pungo was an experience that could not be equaled by any boat in its class. You may say that the 140 is in a class all its’ own after paddling it for some time. Let me begin by saying this boat is FAST! Very fast and -Oh! Did I say it was fast? The Pungo glides like it is on grease. Faster than the popular Tarpon but slower than a Tempest (the new WS Sea Kayak, really fast, really sleek), I paddled it up current on the Tampa Bypass Canal with the spillways open and it cut through the current like a hot knife through butter. I felt in no danger of spilling out due to the excellent secondary and good initial stability of its hard chine hull.

beach1.JPG (22816 bytes) For a 14 foot kayak it turns with little effort. Let your butt go and give it a slight lean to the outside of the turn with a sweep of your paddle and your going in the direction you intended in short order. I think it turns as well as my 12 foot Pungo which is something a lot of 14 foot boats can not do. Going in a straight line is easy too! This kayak tracks as if it was on rails with no tendency to yawl along its horizontal axis between paddle strokes.

As a fishing platform the Pungo excels in many ways. The load and bulk carrying capacity of this kayak is unmatched. It is dry as a bone (with a half skirt). This makes it an excellent winter time and cold water kayak. It can be easily rigged with a basic set-up of rod holders and anchor cleats or none at all. You can fish this one right off the dealers rack as the rods can sit securely behind the seat if you wish not to drill any holes in the hull. The 140 will be home in the backwaters as well as the flats in any season.

At the end of the day, a lot of paddlers will find the Pungo more manageable to car top than most SOT’s. Weighing in at 50 lbs, the Pungo is ideal for female paddlers as well as us old salts.

In conclusion I think Wilderness Systems has a real winner here in many ways with a kayak that will appeal to a lot of paddle anglers, not only in Florida, but nation wide. If I had one of these when I lived up north, then no Striped Bass or Bluefish would have been safe. The Pungo 140 is a complete pleasure to paddle and Wilderness Systems is known for putting out some quality products for just that-paddling pleasure, the 140 is sure to please even the most experienced paddler.
Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley
bluebill
Posts: 433
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Location: St James City, FL

New Pungo

Post by bluebill »

I presently have a 10' Pungo that I use as a backup to the 10 SOT Malibu I fish with.

My present Pungo is my second as the first was stolen.

My main disappointment with the 10'Pungo is that the front foam floation block came loose in both boats. there is not a drop of adhesive on this foam block and only one short screw to keep it anchored in the bow space.

After the foam block comes loose it is useless and the kayak is unsafe for floatation safety.

You would think a company like Wilderness Systems could do better?

Bluebill
St James City, FL
Be thankful for every day and especially those fine days on the water
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gParra
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:46 pm
Location: 813

Post by gParra »

the foam block in the bow does come loose often. Summer time fishing is terrible as the cockpit gets really hot because there is no air circulating. I use my 120 for shaded rivers only, and will be purchasing an SOT soon!
Gp
bluebill
Posts: 433
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Location: St James City, FL

New Pungo 140

Post by bluebill »

The new Pungo 140 sounds like a nice boat. I would like to see and try one but will likely not buy another sit-in for safety reasons.

Wilderness systems does make quality products with attention to details and the built in seats are great. The rubber covered hatch on my Pungo 100 stays bone dry unlike the ungasketed hatches on my Mini-X.

I am planning to sell my Pungo 100 and buy a longer SOT and keep the Mini-X as a spare boat for visiting friends to use.

I have been getting a bit more adventurous and have been caught in a few of the afternoon storms in the Mini-X and never had any concerns, Just keep it steered into or quartering to the waves and you are OK.

If I did fish always in a sit-in I would invest in the half spray skirt and a battery powered bilge pump. For spray and paddle drip in the Pungo, I carry a bath towel to mop the water out but that is useless in the thick of a storm.
Be thankful for every day and especially those fine days on the water
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