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The Pelican Mustang 100X Kayak Review [updated 2023]

    Looking for a kayak that’s versatile, affordable, and perfect for recreational paddling?

    Look no further than the Pelican Mustang 100X Kayak! This kayak has been a fan favorite for years, and for good reason.

    With its lightweight design, comfortable seating, and stable hull, it’s ideal for everything from calm lakes and rivers to mild rapids and surf. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice kayaker, the Pelican Mustang 100X has something to offer.

    In this review, we’ll dive into all the features and benefits that make this kayak a must-have for your next outdoor adventure. So buckle up (or rather, buckle in) and get ready to discover why the Pelican Mustang 100X Kayak is the perfect choice for your next paddle!

    So let’s dive in…

    Pelican Mustang 100X Kayak Review

    The Pelican Mustang 100X is an inexpensive sit-inside 10-foot kayak, designed especially for angling. It purports to provide remarkable equilibrium and monitoring at an economical price.

    This review of the Pelican Mustang 100X has been created to serve as a guide to aid you in determining if it could be the right kayak for you.

    This kayak is designed with the budget of casual anglers and recreational paddlers in mind, offering great value. This kayak is created in order to provide resilience and reasonable cost, rendering it a great selection for newbies or those considering taking part in fishing from a sit-inside kayak for the first time.

    • Length: 10 foot
    • Width: 29 inches
    • Weight: 39 pounds
    • Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

    The Mustang 100X is not typically meant for experienced canoeists, as it might not provide the quickness and vigor, or upper-level characteristics that could be desired. The design of a sit-inside kayak may not be appropriate for certain kayak fishing endeavors, depending on the fishing location; for such scenarios, a sit-on-top kayak might be the more suitable choice.

    This is a simple kayak, so don’t anticipate any unnecessary extras.

    Type Of Kayaker The Pelican Mustang 100X Is Aimed At

    This kayak, the Pelican Mustang 100X, is designed for angling in more placid conditions, such as still lakes, slow-flowing rivers and tranquil inlets.

    A sit-inside structure could be an optimal selection for kayaking in less temperate weather, as it provides a sheltered area for your lower body and can help to protect it from cool temperatures, showers of water, and splashes.

    This boat, measuring in at just ten feet in length, is rather small, making it especially useful for navigating in confined water zones, as it is simpler for smaller paddlers and newcomers to handle. It can be shifted around on land without difficulty, so transporting it on top of a car or to a lake should be straightforward.

    This kayak may be the perfect choice if you want something convenient and simplified, particularly if you have no prior experience with kayaks.

    In contrast, if you prefer a faster-paced ride with many attributes to boost performance, the Mustang 100X might not be the perfect choice.

    If you require the latest features, then you may consider purchasing a pricier fishing kayak. If you have plans to take a kayak camping, you may want to consider obtaining a vessel that is larger or capable of carrying more items and has added amenities for a more enjoyable experience.

    On the back of the boat, there is a waterproof storage box with a zip-up opening for easy access from the driving station. This item can be quickly taken out and put on your back when you reach your destination, allowing you to move your belongings conveniently from the boat to a campsite, picnic area, or your vehicle.

    Once the EXO storage container is removed, the back storage region can be utilized for holding different things, for example, a tiny cooler or a container for fishing. There are bungees to keep your gear secured.

    It is noteworthy that the rear cargo deck does not have any scupper holes, which means it tends to be more likely to collect water and can be hard to empty out when on the water. You should also be sure to put any valuable items in the back in a waterproof bag (not supplied) in order to keep them safe.

    Lightweight Hull

    The Mustang 100X is a very lightweight kayak. This kayak is much lighter than the majority of fishing kayaks. This item is lightweight at only 39 pounds, making it effortless to take it down to the lake and put it on the roof of your vehicle.

    A low weight makes it possible for someone to transport the kayak on a vehicle roof, or for one individual to carry it without help, in contrast to most fishing kayaks. It can be convenient for solo paddlers if they plan ahead for their trips.

    This kayak being less hefty could lead to you spending less cash on extras in contrast to heavier kayaks. The weight of some fishing kayaks may necessitate the use of a kayak cart to take them to the water, or a single person could use a lift-assist device to put it on their vehicle.

    Large Cockpit

    The Mustang 100X has a spacious interior compartment. Getting in and out of the bigger cockpit rim found on kayaks is simpler than the more constricted cockpit openings located on touring canoes.

    The cockpit of this kayak is quite roomy, measuring 47 inches in length and 25 inches in width, so it doesn’t feel as cramped as some other kayaks that you can sit inside of. Fishing can be simpler as well, because it can be more suitable to move around or get equipment. Your pup could probably accompany you on the journey, if it’s a small pooch that doesn’t mind sitting between your legs.

    The seating area allows for plenty of space for those who aren’t the same size, and it can accommodate even a kayaker of 6 feet in height with ease.

    Fishing Rod Holders

    If you are looking to use this kayak for fishing, it has two rod holders that have been mounted in the back portion of the cockpit. You can have a safe place to keep your rods so you won’t have them in your way when you are paddling.

    The Mustang 100X has lots of locations on the top deck that are perfect for attachment of optional gadgets, like a fish locator or GPS receiver. Remember that you will typically need to make holes in the kayak to add specialized plates or railings, as the boat was not created with default mounting points.

    Durability

    This Pelican Mustang 100X is constructed from RAM-X polyethylene, a type of plastic that is malleable yet strong and retains firmness when in the water. Pelican has a material that is constructed in multiple layers and is exclusively utilized by them.

    This material is highly resilient and able to rebound from strikes or pressure, even to the point of being flattened. The coating also helps protect it from the UV rays of the sun, which if not taken into account can lead to the weakening of the item and reduce its life span.

    The Mustang 100X, made of RAM-X material providing increased strength, is an ideal choice for beginners due to its ability to withstand any knocks and tumbles that one might experience while learning to paddle.

    On The Water With Pelican’s Mustang 100x

    Performance

    Many people who utilize the Pelican Mustang 100x often remark about how steady the kayak is. It’s vital to be aware of the two kinds of stability applicable to kayaking when talking about stability: primary stability and secondary stability.

    This means that the first impression given by the boat is how balanced it is when it is stationary in calm water. The steadiness of the boat when you tilt it or come across waves is referred to as secondary.

    A kayak with a wide, flat base can usually offer good steadiness at the start. This produces a broad and even base for the boat to be stationed on when the water is motionless.

    The overall shape of the hull typically adds extra stability by having a curved design. Include rounded, flowing contours where the kayak’s bow and sides join one another instead of a sudden angle. The boat’s stability provides it with the ability to handle the waves without creating too much friction, so it is less likely to tip over.

    So what makes the Pelican Mustang 100x kayak stable? Examining the boat, it appears it is successful in striking a balance between the two kinds of steadiness or a sensible synergy of the two. Pelican describes the Mustang 100x as having a double-curved, grooved bottom.

    This could also be described as a multi-hull or pontoon vessel. This form accomplishes a level base with two winged territories to give great introductory steadiness.

    The other aspect that helps with maintained steadiness is multiple-angled edges. The boundaries where the base of the boat connects to the side pass through gradual changes. This creates a curved outline rather than a sharp edge.

    This design helps make the bottom of the vessel flat in order to offer initial stability without having a sharp corner that could grasp a wave, potentially resulting in the overturning of the kayak. The multiple curves along the edges help to facilitate waves rolling underneath the vessel with little opposition.

    The Pelican Mustang 100x has good following capacity because of the skeg which sticks out of the stern at the bottom of the Mustang 100x. As well as by the twin-arch hull mentioned earlier. The double-arched hull has two pathways for the water to flow along, instead of being completely flat.

    The presence of both the channels and skeg allow the Mustang 100x to stay on track and not veer off in a different direction each time a paddle stroke occurs.

    Market and demographics

    The Pelican Mustang 100x is a kayak used for leisurely angling. What exactly is a recreational kayak? Are we all not embarking on new journeys, regardless of the type of boat we are in? Good question.

    A “recreational” kayak is meant for use in tranquil environments like still lakes, bays, and slow-moving rivers. Kayaks used for recreational purposes normally provide more stability, but they tend to be slower. The width of the kayak compared to its length is usually broader than what a high-performance kayak typically has.

    Kayaks for leisure activities can come in two different varieties – the Mustang 100x, where the user is within an enclosed cockpit, or a more open model where the paddler is on top of the vessel with no covering around them. Kayaks meant for recreational purposes can be obtained at a lower price and are composed of a less complex kind of material.

    Because of this, Pelican Mustang 100x kayaks suitable for recreation are usually made for new canoeists, from those who are just starting out to those who already know they favor safe and manageable environments instead of facing extra hardships, as well as those who aren’t planning to canoe for a long distance.

    About The Mustang 100x

    Material and construction

    This canoe is made from Pelican’s Ram-X material. Ram-X is a form of high molecular weight polyethylene that is capable of withstanding the force of an impact and springing back to its original shape after being bent.

    The Mustang is produced via thermoforming, in which plastic sheets are heated until soft, then fit onto a form that shapes them. The Mustang 100x is constructed in such a way that it is exceptionally light, its weight clocking in at just 39 pounds.

    Pelican Mustang 100x kayak accessories and outfitting

    There are several convenient components included on the Pelican Mustang 100x.

    The Bow Grab Handle proves to be a useful tool for hauling the Mustang 100x up a beach or into the bed of a pickup truck.

    A storage compartment can be found close to the front of the Mustang 100x. The deck plate which is in place over the hatch is kept secure by bungee cords. Complaints from users are often that the seal is not watertight and the door is prone to letting in water.

    This kayak, called the Mustang 100x, is designed as a sit-inside craft and has a sizeable cockpit area of 47″ x 25″. A bigger cockpit makes it easier to get in and out of the kayak, but it also increases the chances of water leaking in and makes it challenging to find a spray skirt to cover the boat’s opening.

    The Mustang 100x has foot rests and a seat in the cockpit. The foot rests look like a staircase, with plastic shelves in increasing sizes to fit all foot sizes. The seat is built-in, with fabric used to create a cushioning effect.

    Behind the seat, within the cockpit, is the backrest. The rear support is made with fabric and features adjustable straps made with webbing. Theses straps enable kayakers to draw the backrest tight to give them an upright stance that allows them to move easily. You could also relax by loosening the back support.

    Two fishing rod-holders have been pre-made into the deck located right behind the seat of the Mustang 100x. The holders supplied give an easy to reach spot to store two set-ups for fishing tackle, and are all set when you get to where the activity is taking place.

    At the back of the cockpit on the Mustang 100x is a hidden area for keeping things. This tankwell can accommodate Pelican’s EXO removable drybag. Many people have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of waterproofing in this storage pouch. It is prudent for people who possess Mustang 100x to remember that their personal property can stay dry if stored properly.

    Where To Buy The Pelican Mustang 100x

    This kayak, the Pelican Mustang 100x, is only available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. This kayak is fashionable, but won’t be found at Walmart, Canadian Tire or bigger stores.

    Mustang 100x Pros And Cons

    Pros

    • Lightweight
    • Low cost
    • Good stability for its class
    • Large cockpit for easy entry
    • Installed rod holders
    • Aft tankwell
    • Flexible plastic

    Cons

    • Lack of bulkheads
    • Resilient plastic
    • Wet storage hatch
    • Limited deck storage

    In Conclusion

    The Pelican Mustang 100X Kayak is a top-notch choice for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable, and versatile kayak. With its sleek design, comfortable seating, and impressive performance, this kayak is perfect for paddlers of all levels and backgrounds.

    Whether you’re looking to explore calm lakes and rivers or venture into mild rapids and surf, the Pelican Mustang 100X has you covered.

    So if you’re in the market for a new kayak, don’t hesitate to check out this fan favorite. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

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