Get this kayak if you want a light (38 lb, for real) quick, responsive SOT made of strong, beautiful Trylon that is flat out FUN in calm water, rivers Class I & II, or doing moderate surf. The Phoenix 120 is no barge w. paddle skills (even if those are coming along - very beginner friendly) Sweep it 180 degrees w. one stroke, throw some bow and cross bow rudders, lean and edge - just like a SINK. Get thigh straps & explore the boundaries further :D
The aft storage well is more than ample for a medium drybag, small backpack, hydration pack & 12 can cooler - and more - all so easy to stow & go. Plenty of room in the forward section providing your drybag or gear can thread the 5" Beckson hatch. I keep a light jacket, the boat's 1.5 lbs anchor, and a first aid kit in there.
I bought a used Phoenix 120 dated July 2006. With some moderate cleaning it returned to like new condition, another plus for Trylon. The 2010 Phoenix 120 has a 10" tupperware hatch btw. so even more gear will fit through. It also has footrails & pegs, altho I'm loving the barefoot feeling of the footwells. Coming from the avid seakayaker side of experience I was very surprised at how well the Phoenix 120 tracked - barely any nose bobble at all. So easy to keep up w. rec and transitional-sized kayaks on a river paddle. This is not a barge!
as to fit - I am a female 5'3" and 117 lbs. There is room for sure for someone up to 5'9"- maybe more- who is hwp. Be under, oh, 170 lbs or go up a size or two - Hurricane offers four lengths. Got this boat on a whim for a change up from my SINKS. It's a blast on rivers, lakes ... very surfable too, at least on moderate Lake Michigan surf.
Didn't use scupper plugs for the first few river runs, plenty dry. This SOT takes the large size. I made my own seat & backband from 3/4 inch closed cell foam covered in neoprene fabric. SOTs are very fun to customize. At my size and torso height a 230 cm paddle is perfect. Fun in the sun, tan legs, no skirt, no pump, no problem mon! Try one!
I bought a Phoenix 12 for my 11 yr olds Christmas present. The main reason I chose the Phoenix was its light weight. I paddle a Prowler 15 and at the end of the day I didn’t want to be lifting two barges on top of my Tahoe. I finally got a chance to take it out for a spin and I was impressed. It’s a nice ride. It’s fast and slick on the water. Turns and maneuvers well but its forward speed really impressed me.
Pros:
Very stable, fast, easy to lift, comfortable seat area. (Some people commented on the hump but I didn’t notice it at all). Foot wells are like the OK, the tank well is good sized and will fit a milk crate (but not it’s close to the prowler’s aircraft carrier size well).
Cons:
It wetter then my OK, the seat doesn’t have any scupper holes. If you get water in the seat it stays there. The front hatch has no storage space you might fit a small dry bag in there (the 14 has good size).
Other:
My kid has hit a few oyster bars and the trilon scratches up just like roto plastic it’s not that big a deal for me. It can be drilled into without problems and rigged any way you chose. I have never used a rudder so I can’t comment on that.
Overall I give it an 8 and would definitely buy it again.