Wilderness Systems A.T.A.K. 120

Size and Weight

The A.T.A.K. 120 comes in at 12’ 3” (371 cm) and has a width of 35” (88 cm), providing a lot of room for the user. Its deck height is 16” (41 cm) and is still low enough to resist the effects of strong wind. The boat weighs 86 lbs. (39 kg) so it’s quite heavy.

Capacity

The weight capacity of this boat is 400 lbs. (181 kg), so you can load it down with all kinds of gear and still feel safe on the water.

Features

On the bow, there is a sturdy carrying handle and a space to mount an accessory plate. There is a paddle park on the “hood” of the kayak. This piece lifts up on a hinge at the bow end, giving you a spot to store gear in a dry space.

Next is the “Flex Pod OS Removable Mounting System”. This is basically a removable dry box. You can put a transducer inside and mount a fishfinder on top of the box. The space it sits in is open to the water and can also accommodate the “Helix MD Motor Drive”, an electric motor made by Wilderness Systems.

Just behind this is a recess with a cover that can hold pieces of equipment and a beverage as well. Its bottom can be taken out to gain access to the water to mount a transducer if the motor is installed.

There is a strap secured to the deck to help you pull yourself up out of the seat or lower yourself in. The footrests are larger than other brands, adjustable, and have foam padding for comfort on extended trips. The gunnels on either side of the cockpit have tracks for mounting accessories if you so choose. Just in front of the seat on the inside walls of the cockpit are molded-in carry handles.

The seat is Wilderness Systems’ famous “AirPro Max”. It is a “lawn chair” style seat made of UV resistant, breathable mesh material and lightweight aluminum. It has three positions: high, low and reclined. It is mounted to two tracks, allowing it to slide forward or backward to adjust for your height and to trim the kayak for optimal weight distribution.

Behind the seat is a flat surface for storing a cooler or other equipment. It can also be used as a location to mount a power-pole, which can be run down through the scupper hole in the tankwell. The tankwell itself has two recessed pockets on either side with bungees running across them to retain smaller gear. There are two adjustable buckling straps that run across to secure large equipment or to securely fasten down different items for extended trips.

At the back of the tankwell is a hatch for a small dry storage compartment. On either gunnel of the back half of the tankwell is a track for mounting additional accessories. The stern has another rigid carry handle. It also is designed to mount two additional Power-Pole shallow water anchors, or a Torqeedo motor, and a rudder in the case the Helix drive is installed.

Performance

The A.T.A.K. 120 almost matches the 140 in providing exceptional stability to anglers, especially when standing. Since it is shorter, it is more responsive to paddle strokes but is still long enough to track very well. It can hold its own in rivers and open water alike. What is really great about this boat is that it has molded in carry handles in the cockpit which will allow the user to carry it over their shoulder more so than other sit on top models. Keep in mind however that it still weighs 86 lbs. (39 kg), so it’s best to get a friend to help you.