Pelican Kayaks Review: Argo, Catch and Mustang

Pelican International is a widely available starting point for first-time kayak buyers. This guide compares the published construction, dimensions, capacities, prices, and intended uses of the Argo, Catch, and Mustang series using manufacturer listings and specialist paddling publications.

Research note: This is a specifications-based editorial comparison, not a hands-on test. KayakLens has not independently weighed or paddled these exact boats. Prices and availability can change, so confirm current details before buying.

By Sarah Mitchell, lead recreational-kayak reviewer at KayakLens. Our brand-review process combines manufacturer specifications, third-party paddling publications, and current USCG and ACA safety guidance to keep each comparison accurate and decision-useful. Last updated: July 31.

Research note: This is a specifications-based editorial comparison, not a hands-on test. We have not independently weighed or paddled these exact boats. Published dimensions, capacities, materials, and prices are drawn from manufacturer listings and specialist paddling publications linked below. Prices can change, so confirm the current price before buying.

The RAM-X Legacy: More Than Just a Budget Boat

Pelican International has been a fixture on North American waterways for decades. The company has grown from a small Quebec operation into a widely available recreational-kayak brand. While boutique manufacturers often focus on high-end composites for specialized sea touring, Pelican concentrates on making recreational paddling accessible through large-scale plastic construction.

Many paddlers encounter Pelican boats while shopping for a first kayak. But the "big box store" reputation doesn't tell the whole story. The Argo, Catch, and Mustang series use different hulls and layouts for relaxed recreation, fishing, and general-purpose paddling.

The Pelican Pedigree: Why Thermoforming Matters

To understand why these boats feel different, start with how they're built. Many heavy-duty fishing kayaks are rotomolded, a process in which polyethylene is heated and rotated inside a mold. Pelican instead uses thermoformed sheets for many RAM-X boats.

The Secret Sauce: RAM-X and RAM-X Premium

RAM-X is Pelican's proprietary high-molecular-weight polyethylene. A Paddling Magazine overview of RAM-X construction describes it as a multilayer, thermoformed polyethylene designed to resist impacts and regain its shape after deformation.

That construction matters for three practical reasons:

1. Manageable transport: Weight varies significantly by model, so there is no honest blanket rule that every Pelican is 10 to 15 pounds lighter than every rival. The recreational models in the comparison tables below weigh less than 40 pounds, while the wider Catch Mode 110 fishing platform weighs considerably more. Check the exact model before deciding whether you can load it alone.
2. Impact resistance: RAM-X is designed to flex and recover from minor impacts. That doesn't make it indestructible, but it can be forgiving when a recreational kayak bumps a rock or shoreline.
3. Outdoor durability: RAM-X Premium uses an additional outer layer intended to add rigidity and resistance to outdoor exposure. Even so, shaded storage remains the safer long-term choice for any polyethylene kayak.

The Value Position

Pelican occupies the space between basic recreational kayaks and premium professional angling rigs. The practical appeal is straightforward: buyers can choose a lightweight sit-inside recreational boat or a wider fishing platform without automatically moving into the highest price bracket.

The Argo Series: Relaxed Recreational Paddling

The Argo is designed for calm lakes, protected ponds, and slow-moving rivers where comfort and stability matter more than speed.

Steady as She Goes

The Argo uses a Twin-Arched Multi-Chine hull. In plain English, the bottom has multiple defined surfaces that create a broad footprint on the water. That design emphasizes initial stability—the steady feeling you notice while sitting upright on flat water.

No kayak is impossible to capsize. Beginners should still practice entering, exiting, and recovering the boat in controlled conditions close to shore.

The Models to Know

• Argo 100X: The compact 10-footer is intended for beginner and intermediate paddlers on calm water. Its shorter hull is convenient for storage and transport.
• Argo 120XP: The longer waterline can improve tracking, which is the boat's ability to hold a straight course instead of turning with every paddle stroke. The model is listed as discontinued by Paddling.com's Argo 120 reference page, so availability and pricing may vary in the used or remaining-retail market.

Is the Argo for You?

Think of the Argo as a relaxed recreational boat. It suits birdwatching, photography, short day paddles, and calm-water exploring. It is not the right choice for exposed ocean crossings, heavy surf, or technical whitewater.

For a current price comparison, the Argo 100X EXO can be placed beside the similarly compact Mustang 100X. The cited MSRP figures are reference prices rather than promises of current availability.

Feature	Argo 100X EXO	Mustang 100X
Length	10 ft	10 ft
Weight	37 lbs	39 lbs
Capacity	275 lbs	300 lbs
Material	RAM-X polyethylene	RAM-X polyethylene
Price	$349 USD MSRP	$389 USD MSRP

Remember that maximum capacity includes the paddler, paddle, PFD, water, fishing equipment, and every other item in the boat. Avoid treating the published limit as a target operating load.

The Catch Series: A Wider Fishing Platform

The Catch series applies Pelican's thermoformed construction to a broad sit-on-top fishing layout. Its wider deck and raised seat are aimed at anglers who value room and stability more than low weight or touring speed.

Can You Really Stand Up?

The Catch Mode and PWR models use a tunnel-style hull that creates two outer support areas. This broad platform is intended to improve stability while an angler shifts position or casts.

Standing in any kayak still involves risk. Practice in shallow, calm water without hooks or loose tackle, keep your center of gravity low while rising, and sit down before waves or boat wakes arrive. Never treat a wide deck as a guarantee against capsizing.

Options for Every Angler

• The Catch Mode 110: A paddle-driven fishing kayak with a broad deck, accessory space, and raised seating.
• The Catch PWR 100: A compact fishing platform with a transom designed to accept a compatible motor. Adding a motor may trigger state registration and equipment requirements.

The Comfort Factor

The Catch Mode uses a raised mesh seating system that keeps the paddler above the deck. A higher seat can make sitting and standing easier, but it also raises the paddler's center of gravity. Test both seating positions in protected water before fishing farther from shore.

The Mustang: The Do-It-All Crossover

The Mustang is another compact sit-inside recreational kayak, but its fishing-oriented fittings and storage make it a more versatile option than a bare-bones day boat.

Performance on the Water

The Mustang 100X uses a twin-arched, multi-chine hull rather than the sharp touring hull found on a sea kayak. A Kayak Angler technical review describes the design as a compromise between initial and secondary stability and notes that the stern keel shape helps tracking.

The Mustang also provides deck storage and rod holders, making it suitable for short fishing outings or recreational trips with a dry bag. Its open storage areas should not be assumed to be watertight, so electronics, spare clothing, and other essentials belong in secured waterproof bags.

Head-to-Head

The Catch Mode 110 is much wider and heavier than the Mustang 100X because it is designed as a stand-capable fishing platform rather than a compact sit-inside recreational boat. A current Catch Mode listing gives a 67-pound weight and 375-pound capacity, while the Mustang specifications come from the detailed review linked in the table.

Feature	Catch Mode 110	Mustang 100X
Length	10 ft 8 in	10 ft
Weight	67 lbs	39 lbs
Capacity	375 lbs	300 lbs
Material	RAM-X polyethylene	RAM-X polyethylene
Price	$879.99 USD listed price	$389 USD MSRP

Choose the Catch if deck space, elevated seating, and fishing stability are priorities. Choose the Mustang if easier carrying and protected-water recreation matter more than standing room.

Safety and Navigation: Rules for the Water

It doesn't matter how stable a kayak feels; conditions can change quickly. Check the weather, wind, water temperature, local hazards, and your return route before launching.

PFDs Are Non-Negotiable

The U.S. Coast Guard's life-jacket guidance says a recreational vessel must carry a properly sized, USCG-approved wearable PFD for each person aboard. The same USCG life-jacket guidance also recommends wearing it whenever the vessel is underway because a PFD can only help when it is accessible and worn correctly.

For a Catch or another kayak with a tall seat, look for a paddling PFD with a compatible back panel so the foam doesn't push your torso forward. Check the approval label, intended activity, size, condition, and fit.

Weather and Float Planning

Review the full forecast rather than looking only at the chance of rain. Wind direction and speed can make a short return paddle much harder, especially in a wide recreational kayak.

The ACA's Smart Start for Safe Paddling program includes trip planning, float plans, challenging weather, waterway hazards, temperature regulation, and rescue priorities. Leave your launch point, route, boat description, passengers, and expected return time with a reliable person. Carry a waterproof means of communication, but don't assume a phone will have service everywhere.

Be Seen at Night

The USCG boating-safety FAQ says navigation lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and during restricted visibility. Review the applicable rules through the same USCG boating-safety FAQ and confirm state requirements before a night paddle.

A waterproof white light should be immediately available on a paddlecraft so it can be shown in time to prevent a collision. A properly mounted all-around white light can improve visibility around motorboats, but it must not obstruct your paddling or night vision.

Dress for the Water

Don't rely on a simple air-plus-water temperature formula. Cold-water risk depends on the actual water temperature, exposure time, clothing, wind, and rescue options.

The ACA's Smart Start for Safe Paddling program advises paddlers to plan for temperature regulation and cold-water immersion. Wear a wetsuit or drysuit when conditions call for one, carry insulating layers in a dry bag, and stay close enough to shore for your skills and equipment. Most recreational Pelican sit-insides are not sea kayaks. If a boat without sealed bulkheads floods, emptying it on the water may be difficult; properly fitted flotation bags can reduce the amount of water the hull takes on.

Navigation Basics

Before leaving shore:

• Check a chart or reliable map of the waterway.
• Identify dams, strainers, shoals, tides, currents, restricted areas, and powerboat channels.
• Save your launch point and at least one safe landing alternative.
• Carry a whistle and waterproof light where you can reach them.
• Keep essential gear attached to the boat or your PFD.
• Turn back early if wind, waves, visibility, or fatigue worsen.

Maintenance: Making Your Pelican Last

Pelican offers warranty coverage for qualifying hull defects, but ordinary wear, storage damage, and transport damage remain the owner's responsibility. Check the terms for your exact model and proof-of-purchase requirements.

Treating RAM-X Right

RAM-X is impact-resistant, but it is not invulnerable. "Oil canning," where a hull develops a temporary depression, can happen when a kayak is stored badly or compressed too tightly by straps in hot conditions.

• Limit UV exposure: Even with UV-resistant material, store the kayak under cover or in shade when possible.
• Use gentle cleaning: Mild soap and water are sufficient for routine cleaning. Avoid harsh solvents unless the manufacturer specifically approves them.
• Support the hull: Store the boat on padded supports placed according to the manufacturer's guidance rather than leaving it on a single pressure point.
• Inspect fittings: Check handles, bungees, drain plugs, seat hardware, and attachment points before the paddling season and before longer trips.
• Use transport straps carefully: Secure the boat firmly without crushing the hull, and use bow and stern lines when the rack system requires them.

Responsible Wildlife Viewing

A quiet kayak can enter shallow habitat that motorboats cannot reach, so low noise does not automatically mean zero disturbance. A peer-reviewed scoping review indexed by the National Library of Medicine found that coastal recreation can add pressure to shorebird populations and summarized management strategies used to reduce disturbance.

Give nesting, feeding, and resting wildlife plenty of space. If a bird stops feeding, changes posture, calls repeatedly, swims away, or takes flight, back off. Follow seasonal closures, avoid landing near nesting colonies, pack out fishing line and trash, and never use a kayak to chase wildlife for a closer photograph.

The Final Word: Is a Pelican for You?

The Good Stuff

• Accessible pricing: The reviewed models cover recreational and fishing uses without entering the highest-priced segment of the kayak market.
• Transport choices: Compact Argo and Mustang models weigh less than 40 pounds, although the broader Catch is substantially heavier.
• Beginner-focused stability: The wide, multi-chine recreational hulls are designed to feel reassuring on calm water.
• Useful variety: Sit-inside recreational, sit-on-top fishing, and motor-compatible options are available.

The Trade-Offs

• Tracking and speed: Short, wide recreational hulls generally require more correction than longer touring kayaks.
• Basic fittings: Handles, bungees, hatches, and seat systems vary by model and may be simpler than those on premium boats.
• Open-water limits: These designs are intended primarily for protected recreational water, not exposed ocean touring or rough surf.
• Capacity discipline: A high published capacity does not remove the need to distribute weight carefully and leave a practical safety margin.

Pelican kayaks are practical choices for paddlers who want to explore a local pond, take short calm-water trips, fish from a stable platform, or introduce family members to recreational kayaking. Match the exact model to your water, storage space, lifting ability, total load, and rescue skills rather than choosing on brand reputation alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I get a sit-in or sit-on-top?

A sit-on-top such as the Catch is convenient for warm-water fishing because water can drain through its scupper system and the open deck is easier to re-enter. A sit-inside such as the Argo or Mustang offers more protection from wind and spray but may be harder to empty after flooding. Your water temperature, self-rescue skills, and intended use matter more than climate alone.

2. Can I take my Pelican in the ocean?

Limit compact recreational models to protected bays, calm flats, and conditions that match your training. They are not designed for heavy surf, exposed crossings, or large open-ocean swells. Check tides, currents, wind, marine traffic, and available landing points before launching.

3. How do I fix a hole or deep scratch?

Light surface scratches are usually cosmetic. A deep gouge, split seam, or puncture requires a repair compatible with the kayak's polyethylene construction. Because twin-sheet hulls can have layered or enclosed sections, consult Pelican or a qualified repair shop before applying heat. Uncontrolled heating can enlarge the damage or deform the hull.

4. Why are some Pelican kayaks relatively light?

Pelican forms heated sheets of RAM-X and fuses the shaped sections together. This process can produce compact recreational hulls with less material than some heavier designs. Weight still depends on length, width, seating, outfitting, and intended use—the Catch fishing platform is far heavier than the Argo or Mustang.

5. Do I need to register my kayak?

Rules vary by state and waterway. Many states do not require registration for a paddle-only kayak, but adding an electric or gasoline motor can make it a motorized vessel subject to registration, numbering, lighting, and equipment rules. Check with the state boating agency responsible for the water where you plan to launch.

Pelican kayaks remain practical choices for paddlers who want to explore a local pond, take short calm-water trips, fish from a stable platform, or introduce family members to recreational kayaking. The specifications, hull-design notes, and safety framing above are drawn from manufacturer listings and the cited paddling publications rather than from independent on-water testing. Match the exact model to your water, storage space, lifting ability, total load, and rescue skills rather than choosing on brand reputation alone.