Vibe Skipjack 120T Tandem

The Vibe Skipjack 120T tandem kayak is a tandem sit-on-top kayak designed for recreational and occasional fishing trips. It is a decent budget boat for those just getting into the sport or for use as your “throw and go” tandem kayak.

Size and Weight

Vibe Skipjack 120 tandem is 12’2″ (370.8 cm) long by 35″ (89 cm) wide. The weight of 72 lbs (32.7 kg) is very reasonable for a tandem kayak. You’ll have no problem handling this boat, even if your companion is a kid and you have to do everything alone.

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Capacity

Vibe Skipjack 120T offers a total capacity of 500 lbs (226.8 kg). This is pretty standard for tandem kayaks and should be enough for two average-sized adults and some gear (but not much). If you and your companion are both on the heavier side, you should probably look at models with larger capacity in our catalog.

Features

The Skipjack 120T offers a minimalistic set of features which should be enough for recreational and occasional fishing trips.

Starting at the bow, there is a molded carrying handle. We like this design because molded handles are extremely durable, they don’t catch hooks, and they make great additional latching points when transporting the kayak on top of your car.

Next, there is a small storage platform secured with a bungee cord. It is really tiny but can probably fit a couple of rain jackets or a small lunch bag. The storage platform has drainage, so any water that gets there will drain out to the cockpit.

Further back, you’ll see molded footrests. These offer four different foot positions. Molded footrests are usually less comfortable than adjustable ones because your optimal position can be between the positions they provide. As always, we recommend testing the kayak for comfort before you buy.

The Skipjack’s central console features a simple molded-in bottle holder and a 6-inch day hatch for small items. The hatch covers were upgraded in 2019 and now include a quarter-turn quick-lock mechanism and cat bags inside for relatively dry storage. In any case, it is a good idea to keep sensitive items such as your phone inside a dry bag.

Behind the front seat, there is a platform designed to fit a seat in the solo configuration (Vibe Skipjack 120T can be paddled both as a tandem and solo). Some families put a kid there, thus making it a true family boat.

On both sides, there are molded carrying handles and simple but efficient paddle holders secured by bungees. The Skipjack 120T also has indentations on the gunnels to put the paddles across the deck. This is a small but very useful feature as it keeps the paddles from accidentally rolling off the boat.

Next, there is another bottle holder and another day hatch for the rear paddler. Behind the rear seat, there is another small storage platform that can probably take a medium-sized dry bag but not much else. If you decide to camp in the Skipjack 120T, you’ll have to put most of your camping gear between the rear paddler’s legs.

Seats

Each seat in Vibe Skipjack 120T consists of a bolted-on seat pad and cushioned adjustable backrest. Both parts are made from a breathable, quick-drying mesh material that is quite comfortable. Other than that, the seats are pretty simplistic. One thing we don’t like is that the seat pads are screwed to the deck, with the screws sticking out right under your thighs. That does not look very comfortable.

Performance

Important for beginners and occasional paddlers, Vibe Skipjack 120T offers excellent stability. It is designed for calm waters but it can handle some wind and waves pretty well.

Being relatively short for a tandem, it can’t compete with some other models in terms of speed, but it is not a slow boat either. Vibe Skipjack 120T offers enough speed for a recreational kayak.

The Skipjack 120T is relatively easy to maneuver for a tandem. A rudder would make it even more agile, but it is not a feature you will often see in this price segment.

Construction and Materials

Like all Vibe kayaks, the Skipjack 120T is rotomolded from High-Density Polyethylene. This technology involves pouring beads of polyethylene into a mold which is then heated up and slowly rotated so that the material spreads evenly inside. After the mold cools down, you get a one-piece construction that is extremely rugged and durable. Boats manufactured with the rotational molding process tend to be long-lasting and sturdy.

The downside of polyethylene is that it is a very non-stick material. If you manage to put a hole in the hull, you can’t just glue a patch to it. The most effective way to patch the hole is to heat-weld new HWM PE or HDPE plastic pieces (or the same material) into the crack. It’s best to use a flat surface such as a soldering iron or blow torch by utilizing welding techniques to bond the material for an air-tight lasting patch.

Warranty

Vibe provides a Limited Lifetime Manufacturer’s Warranty for defects on all new kayak and cooler purchases and one year on the attached parts. This warranty covers only Vibe products that are purchased from an authorized Vibe dealer. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser and may not be transferred. Proof of purchase must be presented at the time of the warranty claim. Normal wear and tear are not warranted.

In case your Vibe kayak gets damaged during shipping, Vibe Kayaks recommends the following:

If you find any significant damage, such as holes or deep gouges, have the carrier document in writing a detailed description of the damages before signing anything, take pictures, return the damaged kayak to the driver, and contact Vibe immediately.

If you find minor damage, such as minor scratches, dings, and dents, note the damage on the Bill of Lading, take pictures and accept the shipment. You can contact Vibe with any questions.

If the product is signed for without damage being reported or if the driver leaves the property without the damage being reported, Vibe Kayaks won’t be able to replace it. You will have to pay return freight charges (which range from $185 – $390) to get a replacement or accept the kayak as is.

New items are eligible for a full refund within 14 days of purchase.

To read the full terms of Vibe Kayak’s warranty, click here: https://vibekayaks.com/pages/warranty