I will be using this kayak mostly for camping/fishing trips. I’m currently using a 10.5 foot and it has worked fine for 3-4 nights in Algonquin, it’s starting to wear out and I would like to purchase a bigger one. I don’t need a lecture on what the two don’t have that I need, as I functioned just fine for 3 years with 33/gal total storage in a small kayak. The question is: Based on your opinion, which would seem better between the two for 6-7/hr daily paddles and 3-4 day total trips?
I have a Pungo 140. It is fast and handles nicely for what it is. It will hold a lot of gear .
Can’t address the Carolina but both have had long, successful careers.
Thanks man! I was just stuck between the two as the centre console seemed useful on the Pungo but wasn’t sure if that meant the spray skirt was more for sun than water
I have too much body to use the console. I have never considered using a skirt because the cockpit is so large. It would be great for keeping the sun off your legs but a decent wave would probably implode it.
The Pungo is not the boat for waves that can fill a cockpit.
Just for fun my brother tried to take his 120 out through mild surf. First little wave filled it.
OTOH, I’ve had a chest high wave cover my Tarpon. Exciting, but no problem.
@string said:
I have too much body to use the console. I have never considered using a skirt because the cockpit is so large. It would be great for keeping the sun off your legs but a decent wave would probably implode it.
The Pungo is not the boat for waves that can fill a cockpit.
Just for fun my brother tried to take his 120 out through mild surf. First little wave filled it.
OTOH, I’ve had a chest high wave cover my Tarpon. Exciting, but no problem.
And Tarpons hold a ton of gear.
I really appreciate the real review man, thats awesome! Seems you rarely get that now.
I’d rate the Pungos a 10 because they do what they are designed to do very well.
That is not always the case.
So the boats are kind of apples and oranges. I’ve not spent a lot of time in either, so going more on specs and what I have seen.
The Perception is a day touring class kayak. The Pungo a recreational class. Though both are the same length, the Pungo will be much wider and have a much larger cockpit opening.
For fishing, the Pungo will feel much more stable and that large cockpit would make it easier to access gear inside the cockpit, so that may be preferable (depending on how you fish). Won’t be stable enough to stand and cast from, though.
If you want to use a skirt for more than sun protection, then the Pungo pretty much is out. That opening is too large to get a skirt to seal out water. But the Perception has a high seat back, and if you like to keep that in an elevated position, that also may limit its ability to use a skirt.
The Perception should be a faster boat on the water.
The Pungo has a larger capacity (350 lbs versus 300 lbs for Perception).
Both are made by same parent company (Confluence Watersports) and probably made in same factory, so build quality should be similar.
Thanks for actual responses with reasons for the opinions. Means a lot!
I ended up going with the Carolina because the storage hatch on the back was huge and I liked the skinnier frame.
Thanks for the help making the decision and I wish you all the best!
You will like it
Whoops… Potred comments re Pungo & Carolina under “Advise On First Kayak”.