Top 12-Foot Kayaks for Fishing And Recreation: Sitting in-between recreational kayaks and longer touring boats, 12-foot kayaks serve as an ideal middle ground for many paddlers. They offer a blend of stability, maneuverability, and storage capacity, making them versatile choices for a variety of activities.
With numerous options available, finding the right kayak can be daunting. In this article, we’ll break down the best 12-foot kayaks across several categories to ensure you hit the water in a boat that’s perfect for you.
Are you searching for the ideal fishing kayak? A new sit-inside for a weekend outing? How about a user-friendly tandem? Whatever you’re looking for, your next 12-foot kayak is waiting for you below.
Top 12-Foot Kayaks: Our Top Picks
If you’re short on time, here are our top recommendations. For detailed reviews, keep scrolling to see our full list.
- Best Tandem: Ocean Kayak Malibu Two
- Best Value Sit-on-Top: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
- Best Value Sit-Inside: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120
- Best for Fishing: Old Town Topwater 120
- Best Pedal: Hobie Mirage Compass
- Best Sit-Inside: Eddyline Skylark
- Best Sit-on-Top: Eddyline Caribbean 12 FS
1. Best Tandem: Ocean Kayak Malibu Two
Brand: Ocean Kayak
Item Weight: 57 Pounds
Material: Polyethylene (PE)
Color: Sunrise
Style: Malibu Two
About this item:
- Versatile Seating: Enjoy sun and surf with a friend or a furry companion using the kayak’s three seating positions, which support solo, tandem, or tandem paddling with a child or pet.
- Comfort Plus Seats: A pair of Comfort Plus seats provide four-way adjustability, offering a custom fit and greater slip prevention over molded seats.
- Patented Foot Wells: Overlapping foot wells allow center-seated paddlers to brace their feet comfortably.
- Easy Access: The open, sit-on-top hull design makes it easy to get on and off the kayak. It includes molded-in handles and a skid plate for added convenience.
- Weight Capacity: The kayak has a usable weight capacity of 362 pounds and measures 12 feet long and 34 inches wide. It comes with a lifetime warranty on the hull.
- Additional Features: Molded-in side carrying handles, bow/stern toggle handles, skid plate, and a screw-in drain plug.
- Options: Up to three round Gaspachi hatches (bow, center, stern).
Pros:
- Versatility: The ability to accommodate three people, including a child or pet, makes it a versatile option for various paddling scenarios.
- Comfort: The adjustable seats provide a custom fit, enhancing comfort during paddling.
- Stability: The wide beam likely contributes to good stability, making it suitable for beginners and families.
- Durability: Polyethylene construction suggests durability and resistance to impacts.
- Storage: The potential for adding up to three hatches offers customizable storage options.
- User-friendly: The open sit-on-top design and molded-in handles make it easy to get in and out of the kayak.
Cons:
- Weight: At 57 pounds, it might be relatively heavy compared to some other inflatable kayaks, making transportation less convenient.
- Performance: Given its focus on versatility and comfort, it might not be the best choice for high-performance paddling or rough water conditions.
- Limited information: Without more details about the kayak’s design and features, it’s difficult to assess its performance in specific conditions.
2. Best Value Sit-on-Top: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120
Brand: Wilderness Systems
Item Weight: 64.5 Pounds
Material: Polyethylene (PE)
Color: Breeze Blue
Style: Modern
About this item:
- Enhanced Comfort: The premier sit-on-top kayak now features even better comfort with the most comfortable and adjustable Phase 3 Air Pro seating system. The cool touch technology ensures your seat stays cool.
- Performance: Fast, efficient, and straight tracking for a superior paddling experience.
- Ample Storage: Large rear storage well for crates, coolers, fishing equipment, scuba tanks, and camping gear. The front storage hatch offers dry storage.
- Supportive Foot Rests: Large, padded foot rests provide support and comfort. The easy-to-adjust locking lever accommodates paddlers of different heights.
- Convenient Dry Box: The Dry Tec removable dry box is perfect for storing wallets, phones, keys, and other valuables. It includes a sectioned storage tray to organize smaller items like sunscreen, fishing lures, and snacks.
- Innovative Features: Magnate magnetic water bottle strap system and Sidetracks accessory rails allow for customization, making it ideal for fishing, filming, or adding other accessories.
- Specifications: Boat length: 12′ 3″, boat weight: 63 lbs., maximum capacity: 350 lbs.
- Sport Type: Boating
Pros:
- Comfort: The Phase 3 air Pro seating system with cool touch technology promises enhanced comfort during paddling.
- Storage: Ample storage options, including a large rear well and a dry box for valuables, are convenient for carrying gear.
- Performance: The emphasis on fast, efficient, and straight tracking suggests good performance on the water.
- Versatility: The kayak’s design suggests it can be used for a variety of activities beyond fishing, such as touring or recreational paddling.
- Additional features: The inclusion of padded footrests, adjustable seating, and accessory rails adds to the overall functionality of the kayak.
Cons:
- Weight: At 64.5 pounds, the kayak might be relatively heavy for some users, making transportation more challenging.
- Price: Given the features and brand reputation, the kayak is likely to be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
- Limited information: Without more specific details about the kayak’s hull design, stability, and other performance characteristics, it’s difficult to make a definitive assessment.
3. Best Value Sit-Inside: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120
Brand: Wilderness Systems
Color: Breeze Blue
Style: Classic
Manufacturer: Wilderness Systems
About this item:
- Perfect for Small to Medium Paddlers: The 12′ 2″ sit-inside recreational kayak, Pungo 120, comes equipped with the Phase 3 Air Pro comfort seating system, designed specifically for small to medium-sized paddlers.
- Best-in-Class Performance: Renowned for its best-in-class speed and stable hull design, the Pungo 120 offers an exceptional paddling experience.
- Durable Cockpit Cover: The TrueFit cockpit cover, compatible with Pungo 105/120/125 (2019 models and later) and other kayaks with dimensions of length 56-58″ x width 21-23″, is made of durable urethane-coated nylon with sticky edging to grip the rim and a rear bungee for easy on/off.
- Adjustable Features: The kayak includes adjustable footrests, thigh pads, a dry box, cup holders, and customizable accessory mounts for a personalized fit and added convenience.
Pros:
- Speed and tracking: Known for its efficient and straight-tracking design, allowing for faster and smoother paddling.
- Comfort: The Phase 3 Air Pro seating system offers exceptional comfort and adjustability.
- Stability: Provides good stability for various water conditions and paddler skill levels.
- Storage: Offers ample storage options with a rear hatch and dry box.
- Features: Includes additional features like adjustable footrests, thigh pads, and accessory mounts for convenience.
- Durability: Built with high-quality materials for long-lasting performance.
Cons:
- Weight: At 64.5 pounds, it might be heavier compared to some other recreational kayaks.
- Price: As a feature-rich kayak, it comes with a higher price point.
- Sit-inside design: While offering protection from elements, it might not be as accessible as a sit-on-top kayak.
4. Best for Fishing: Old Town Topwater 120
Brand: Old Town
Item Weight: 85 Pounds
Material: Polyethylene (PE)
Color: First Light
Style: Topwater 120
About this item:
- Stable Stand-Up Platform: The Old Town Topwater 120 is designed as a compact, nimble fishing kayak that offers a stable and comfortable stand-up platform, ideal for anglers who prefer to fish while standing.
- Comfortable Seating: Equipped with the breathable and supportive ElementAir Seat, the Topwater 120 ensures all-day comfort, making it perfect for extended fishing trips.
- Feature-Rich Design: This kayak includes an oversized stern tank well for ample gear storage, three rod holders, strategically placed rod and tackle storage, and EVA foam deck pads for enhanced traction and comfort when standing.
- Unmatched Stability: The innovative DoubleU hull design provides exceptional stability and precise handling, all within a compact and easily transportable frame.
- Advanced Transducer Mounting: The Topwater 120 features a universal transducer mounting system, simplifying the installation of your favorite fish finder.
- High Capacity: With a maximum load capacity of 500 pounds, this 12-foot kayak is built to handle substantial gear and weight. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty. (Paddle sold separately.)
Pros:
- Exceptional stability: Designed specifically for stand-up fishing, offering a rock-solid platform.
- Comfort: The ElementAir Seat provides good support for extended fishing trips.
- Storage: Ample storage space with an oversized stern tank well and additional compartments.
- Features: Includes essential fishing features like rod holders, tackle storage, and EVA foam deck pads.
- Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of fishing conditions and styles.
- High weight capacity: Can accommodate anglers and gear comfortably.
Cons:
- Weight: At 85 pounds, it’s heavier than some other fishing kayaks, making transportation more challenging.
- Initial setup: Might require some assembly and adjustments before first use.
- Limited information: More details about the kayak’s hull design, tracking, and maneuverability would be helpful.
5. Best Pedal: Hobie Mirage Compass
The Hobie Mirage Compass is marketed primarily as a fishing kayak, but its versatility extends far beyond that. Equipped with a pedal system that operates on a horizontal plane, it offers smooth, low-impact propulsion, making it ideal for extended water outings without straining your lower body. This innovative system allows you to navigate effortlessly while keeping your hands free for fishing or utilizing the H-track accessory system for additional gear.
The Compass features a dedicated transducer cavity specifically designed for Lowrance fish finders, offering a tailored fit that ensures optimal performance. While it lacks the universal mounting system found on the Old Town Topwater, its specialized design caters effectively to Lowrance models.
Boasting exceptional stability, the Compass allows anglers to stand and cast confidently from its deck. Despite a lower load capacity of 400 pounds compared to the Topwater’s 500 pounds, the Compass still provides ample storage, including a spacious open-air stern tank and a watertight bow hatch.
Although primarily a pedal kayak, it supports traditional paddling, with a built-in paddle holder and an included paddle from most retailers, adding a layer of reliability in case of pedal system issues. The Hobie Mirage Compass is one of the lightest pedal kayaks on the market, offering fantastic stability and a hands-free experience, though its higher price and potential for propeller maintenance in shallow waters are considerations to keep in mind.
Pros:
- MirageDrive Propulsion: The pedal-powered system offers efficient and hands-free propulsion.
- Stability: Provides excellent stability for standing and fishing.
- Versatility: Can be used for fishing, touring, and other water activities.
- Storage: Offers ample storage space with a spacious stern tank and watertight bow hatch.
- Dedicated transducer cavity: Designed specifically for Lowrance fish finders.
- Lightweight: One of the lightest pedal kayaks on the market.
- Backup paddling option: Includes a paddle for traditional propulsion.
Cons:
- Price: Higher price point compared to many other kayaks.
- Maintenance: The MirageDrive system requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
- Lower weight capacity: Compared to some other models, the Compass has a lower load capacity.
- Propeller damage: The propeller can be susceptible to damage in shallow waters.
6. Best Sit-Inside: Eddyline Skylark
The Eddyline Sit-On-Top Kayak is designed to deliver both stability and agility on the water, thanks to its Gullwing hull. This innovative design features sharply contoured entry and exit lines that enhance tracking performance, allowing for precise and responsive navigation.
The cockpit is well-equipped with adjustable foot braces and dual gear tracks, accommodating a range of aftermarket accessories such as cup holders, rod holders, and camera mounts (accessories sold separately). The removable Cloud 10 folding frame seat boasts antimicrobial, marine-grade foam and a solar weave tech-mesh fabric, ensuring durable, breathable, and weather-resistant comfort.
For storage, the kayak includes a large stern tank well with cargo bungees to secure crates or buckets, plus ample storage with a large front hatch and a smaller rear hatch. Transport is made easy with balanced bow and stern carry handles, while the side carry handles also function as one-handed paddle parks.
Manufactured in the USA, this kayak is built from Carbonlite composite ABS/acrylic, combining durability with lightweight performance. Measuring 12 feet in length and 30 inches in width, it supports up to 275 pounds and weighs 45 pounds. It is ideal for flatwater kayaking, offering a hatch capacity of 2,352 cubic inches in the bow. Note that the paddle is not included.
Pros:
- Excellent stability and tracking: The Gullwing hull design offers a balanced performance.
- Comfortable seating: The Cloud 10 folding frame seat provides good support and adjustability.
- Versatility: The kayak can be customized with various accessories due to gear tracks.
- Storage: Ample storage options with a large rear tank well and front hatch.
- Portability: Relatively lightweight at 45 pounds, making it easier to transport.
- Durability: Made in the USA from high-quality materials suggests good durability.
Cons:
- Limited information: More details about the kayak’s seating dimensions, cockpit size, and overall comfort would be helpful.
- No paddle included: Users will need to purchase a paddle separately.
- Potential price point: Given the features and materials, the kayak is likely to be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
7. Best Sit-on-Top: Eddyline Caribbean 12 FS
Features
- Gullwing Hull Design: Delivers exceptional stability and responsiveness, with sharply defined entry and exit lines that ensure superior tracking performance on the water.
- Versatile Cockpit: Equipped with adjustable foot braces and dual gear tracks, allowing for the addition of aftermarket accessories like cup holders, rod holders, and camera mounts (accessories not included).
- Removable Cloud 10 Seat: Features a folding frame with antimicrobial, marine-grade foam and solar weave tech-mesh fabric, providing durable, breathable, and weather-resistant comfort.
- Ample Storage: Includes a spacious stern tank well with cargo bungees for securing crates or buckets, alongside a large front hatch and a smaller rear hatch for additional storage needs.
- Convenient Transport: Balanced bow and stern carry handles make lifting and moving easy, while the side carry handles also serve as one-handed paddle parks for added convenience.
Technical Specifications
- Item Number: 171460
- Best Use: Flatwater Kayaking
- Materials: Carbonlite composite (ABS/acrylic)
- Length: 12 feet
- Width: 30 inches
- Seat Type: Padded Foam
- Number of Paddlers: 1
- Paddle Included: No
- Bow Hatch Capacity: 2,352 cubic inches
- Weight Capacity: 275 pounds
- Tracking System: None
- Weight: 45 pounds
Pros:
- Excellent Performance: The Gullwing hull design promises exceptional stability and tracking, making the kayak suitable for various water conditions.
- Customizable: The versatile cockpit with gear tracks allows for personalization based on individual needs and preferences.
- Comfort and Durability: The Cloud 10 seat offers comfort, while the marine-grade materials suggest durability.
- Storage: Ample storage options with a large rear tank well and additional hatches cater to different gear needs.
- Convenience: Features like carry handles and paddle parks enhance ease of use and transportation.
Cons:
- No Paddle Included: This might be an inconvenience for first-time buyers.
- Potential Weight: While not explicitly mentioned, the use of composite materials suggests the kayak might be heavier compared to all-plastic models.
- Price: Given the features and materials, the kayak is likely to be on the higher end of the price spectrum.
12-Foot Kayak Buying Guide
A 12-foot kayak is a versatile choice, bridging the gap between recreational and touring models. However, choosing the right one requires understanding various key features.
Kayak Type
Kayaks generally fall into two types: sit-in and sit-on-top. Sit-in kayaks, like the Eddyline Skylark, offer a lower center of gravity for better efficiency and tracking. They are ideal for longer journeys and inclement weather with added spray skirts. Sit-on-top models, such as the Old Town Topwater 120, provide higher seating, making them suitable for fishing and easy access but may sacrifice some tracking performance.
Material
Most 12-foot kayaks are made from polyethylene due to its durability and affordability. This material is sturdy enough for casual use and requires minimal maintenance.
Speed & Maneuverability
Speed increases with kayak length, but 12-foot kayaks strike a balance between agility and pace. Pedal kayaks like the Hobie Mirage Compass offer enhanced efficiency, while shorter kayaks are more maneuverable.
Comfort & Stability
Modern kayaks feature padded, adjustable seats. Stability is crucial; sit-on-tops offer primary stability, while sit-ins provide excellent secondary stability. Kayaks with wider beams tend to have better primary stability but may not track as well.
Durability & Portability
Durable plastic kayaks can withstand bumps but should be cared for properly. Consider features like skid plates for extra protection. For portability, look for kayaks that are easy to transport and store. Kayak racks and carts can assist with transportation.
The Verdict
Each 12-foot kayak offers unique benefits. The Eddyline Skylark is a standout for its balance of comfort, storage, and performance. Choosing the right kayak depends on your specific needs and paddling style. Enjoy exploring your options and happy paddling!
