ATAK 120

[Longo]

I'm thinking of getting another fishing kayak and have been toying with the idea of an ATAK 120.  Does anyone here have a 120 that they could possibly give me the pro's & cons on?  I've looked around a lot at reviews but because it's relatively new there are few out there that aren't paid or pro staff reviews of the 120.  Looking for a real world review.

 

I have a Jackson Cuda now and although it's a nice boat for being 5yrs old, it's just not on par with some of these newer boats.  Even the 2017 Cuda's are basically the same as my 5yr old Cuda. Not much if anything besides the seat and center hatch lid have changed.  Not enough has changed for it to be considered an option for me to buy another one.

 

And before someone chimes in that the 120 is the same as the 140 only 2' shorter......think before you speak.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

 

[flyfisher]

What specifically are you asking about?  You obviously have experience in a kayak so is there something specifically yo pare looking for as far as features etc... go?

I own an ATAK 140 and i know many of the features are the same and i could comment on those but the paddling is going to be different.  And yes, I did think before i responded....

[Longo]

1 hour ago, flyfisher said:

I own an ATAK 140 and i know many of the features are the same and i could comment on those but the paddling is going to be different.  And yes, I did think before i responded....

 

Thanks for the reply.  I was more referring to people who would reply that the boat is the exact same boat only shorter.

 

One question I had was how well does the boat track?  On the Cuda I have a rudder.  Before I put it on it seemed like I was always fighting the boat.  Some of this I'm sure was due to my paddling ability but it just seemed like the boat needed a rudder. do you find this the case with your 140?

 

Also, in one of the reviews I saw the guy mentioned that the 120 takes on quite a bit of water.  In the review he mentioned that this was also the case with the 140.  I tried finding more info on this but couldn't find any other mention of this issue.  Do you find this to be the case?

 

Other than that, what is your general impression of the boat?  After owning the boat for a while have you found any issues you weren't aware of before you bought the boat?

 

 

[flyfisher]

My 140 doesn't take on much water at all, no different than any other SOT i have owned or paddled extensively.  The only scuppers i leave in are the ones in the front hatch because i will put my rain gear in there.  I am about 195-200lbs for reference.  As far as tracking goes, it does a nice job and is super stable, more stable than my old coosa or even my commander. I do know a lot of people get he rudder but I haven't felt the need for it.  It also was designed and i'd say it succeeds in shedding wind.   It sits pretty low in the water which is great for most times unless you venture into places that have bigger wave potential. As far as dislikes, the seat fastening system sucks.  They may have made changes to it but if you are cartopping it, taking it on and off is a pain.  I have a trailer now so i just leave it on all the time. It has gear tracks pretty much everywhere you would want them as well which makes rigging a breeze.  I personally don't like track mounted rod holders so i went with flush mounts and the space behind the seat on the sides of the 140 allow for 6 total (3 on each side) to be installed.  It is also a heavy boat but it is pretty manageable once you get your technique down.  I used to load it on my old lifted jeep wrangler and while it wasn't the easiest thing in the world, it wasn't crazy hard.

 

Other than that, it is a great boat.  I can honestly say that this is the first boat that after owning for a year or two I haven't though about replacing it with the next new thing.  It is well laid out, paddles 4mph with little effort and the flex pod is awesome. The seat is pretty comfortable and allows for a lot of adjustment.  I did break a foot rest and replaced it with a cheaper non added version but i haven't noticed a difference.  
 

All in all, it is a great boat and i wouldn't hesitate to get a 120 or a 140 depending on your needs and the water you regularly fish.  This was my first 14' boat and i was apprehensive at first but i will say that for the water i primarily fish, the longer length has not been an issue.

[Longo]

That's pretty much what I was looking for.  I car top my Cuda 12 on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 120 is about 15lbs heavier.

 

Any chance you have any experience with the AirPro 3d seat?  I got a chance to look at it this past weekend at a local kayak/canoe show.  It looks like a great little accessory.

 

Thanks again for the thorough answer.  I definitely think the 120 will be my next boat in the very near future.   

[flyfisher]

20 minutes ago, Longo said:

That's pretty much what I was looking for.  I car top my Cuda 12 on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 120 is about 15lbs heavier.

 

Any chance you have any experience with the AirPro 3d seat?  I got a chance to look at it this past weekend at a local kayak/canoe show.  It looks like a great little accessory.

 

Thanks again for the thorough answer.  I definitely think the 120 will be my next boat in the very near future.   

That is the stand up seat deal? If it is, I messed with it in the store but it seemed like it would be in the way.  It limits the adjustability of the seat and to be honest, I have owned my ATAK for 2 seasons and i have never felt the need for it.  I would also think it would give something else for the wind to grab.  All that being said, i have yet to try it and with the price tag, i'd rather spend that type of coin on other things fishing related.