west marine Pompano 120

I am thinking of grabbing one of these boats while they are on sale for 399.  Seems like it would be a nice SOT addition to my fleet of Sinks (currently a pungo 120, and a pamlico 140)  I currently paddle the Pungo, and my girfriend uses the Pamlico.  i think the pomapano would be a good SOT option for me, then i could let my GF use the Pungo, as the Pamlico is extra long and heavy!.  Being in central Wa there is no way to demo this boat, so see how it paddles with me in it.  I would like a rudder i think if one is available.  Any thoughts? i am a bigger guy, 220# and my dog usually is with me (20lbs).   The Pungo is rated for 325 # and the Pompano is rated at 350, so i think i would be ok as far as capacity goes, as long as i use the scupper plugs to stay dry.  Thoughts from all you bigt brains out there?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

It's basically a wilderness systems kayak from 2008 (Tarpon 120 I think).

It's a good boat.  I'm not sure you'll be able to add a rudder to it.  It would also require moving the rear handle.

Yup, that's just a rebranded Tarpon 120. Tarpons are great and I really enjoyed paddling mine. My cousin, who goes 210ish, paddled it a good deal without any issues. He even had his 20 lb dog out with him a time or two. You should fine but it may ride a little low in the water. Scupper plugs help. Try it without a rudder first, I think the boat paddles just fine without it. That's a great deal too.

That being said, you might want to also check this thread out.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=7968.0

Had a buddy in town from Hawaii and we were just talking about this boat.  For $399 you'll be hard pressed to find something better, even used.

I just called the local store and the Canadian sale price is $429.99. Thinkin' i'll be adding one in the near future. Thanks for the post!

Thanks Noah! i remember this thread you speak of, and that is what is keeping me from pulling the trigger right now.  if i do get this i will order a seat and thigh straps, then look into a rudder later, if i think its necessary.  My Pamlico has a rudder, and it really keeps the boat from weather cocking in the wind, but the Pungo does not, although it seems to have better tracking and i can handle it easy enough.  Im just worried about a few waves if the wind really picks up while i am on the water.  I guess i wont sink, i can pull the scupper plugs and "self bail" i just am used to the semi dry ride of my sink.  hmmmmm, out of stock, so there is no demoing this either.  Anyone want to come over to Central WA with their T120 for me to demo??? lol.

So i pulled the trigger, and ended up ordering this boat.  Exactly what i thought it would be.  with the Scuppers open, a little water sits inside with the paddler, but this is quite welcome in the warm weather.  Also this supports my resolve to lose a little weight.    I lost my pliers, and almost lost my sandal- hmm- need to work on leashes.  This boat is going to be a great addition to my quiver.  I like the SOT world.  I have abandoned my soft sided case filled with plastic boxes, and i dusted off an old milkcrate i had in the garage, put said boxes in it, along with other gear needed. The added ride height from the SinK is nice.  The boat tracks and handles well without the rudder, although i think it would still be nice to have one for that little bit of extra control when the fishing pole is in my hand, and the boat is moving.   happy travels y'all

Congrats on the new boat! Look into some scupper plugs too, it will make it ride a little higher and get the water out of the area around the center hatch. I usually had them in unless things were getting a little hairy.

Enjoy the new boat NCW

are there better types of Scupper plugs? are they all the same, basically? do some fit better?