Pelican Mustang 100x Kayak Review

It isn’t often that you can find a top quality fishing kayak for under $500. That’s just the way it is. Either you dig deep into your pockets and pay to get an expensive model that you can rely on, or you go for something more affordable and it doesn’t stand up to the task.

Yet, there is nothing more frustrating than heading out for a day on the river and finding that your fishing gear won’t fit in your kayak, or that you can’t relax because you are constantly wobbling about on an unstable hull.

So, what are you to do if you don’t want to spend all your savings on one piece of kit but you do want to have a pleasant experience on the water? Enter - the Pelican Mustang 100x.

This kayak is surprisingly affordable compared to other models of a similar size and functionality, and yet it doesn’t scrimp on quality or on innovative features.

It tracks well, is sturdy and comfortable, and it has some pretty cool storage solutions too, so you can fit all your gear onboard. Read on for a full review of the pros and cons of Pelican’s Mustang 100x kayak.

Feel in the Water

The Mustang 100x tracks really well in the water, allowing you to enjoy a smooth, stable and speedy ride. This is largely due to the twin-arched multichine hull which is not only slick and streamline, but also built for resilience.

This is really useful when kayaking over boulders and rocky waters because the bottom of the boat doesn’t show any signs of wear or of weakness, but glides over tricky terrain easily.

At only 39 lbs, this kayak is lightweight compared to many similar models, and yet not so thin as to be flimsy or leave you feeling exposed.

Best of all, the cockpit measures 47 inches in length and 25 inches in width, which is really nice and roomy, and allows you to spend longer on the water without cramping-up or running low on supplies.

Durability

The body of the Mustang 100x is made from a material that is exclusive to the Pelican brand and is wonderfully sturdy while also being lightweight.

The crosslinked polyethylene, known as RAM X, is especially designed to have high-impact resistance so that the Mustang 100x keeps its shape even if you crash violently.

This is an excellent feature if you are fishing in particularly rocky waters where bumps and crashes are frequent.

The hard outer shell has been treated with an advanced resin that aids its durability, and also with a UV treatment, so you can take this kayak out in the midday sun and it won’t lose its color or quality.

Comfort

The Mustang 100x is a sit-in kayak, meaning that your legs and feet are contained within the front section of the boat.

Some people can find this style of kayak a little claustrophobic, but luckily the abundance of leg room in the long Mustang 100x allows you to wiggle and move about freely so you don’t feel locked in. 

Better still, the adjustable footrest is extremely comfortable and can be moved as near or far from the cockpit as your legs require. This means that you can adjust your own position and that your friends and family can use the kayak too.

Due to this one adjustable feature, the Mustang 100x fits anyone no matter their height or size.

The ERGOFORM seat is another great feature of this kayak, with multi-layers of cushioning so your bum will not get sore or numb even after a long time on the water.

The adjustable back of this seat allows you to alter the angle at which you are sitting, which is particularly helpful on long trips when a shift in position can be a relief.

Furthermore, the Pelican Mustang 100x comes with a pair of knee pads which protect your knees from knocking and rubbing against the top of the kayak. You don’t need to go out and buy your own pair, saving you time and money, because these knee pads are comfortable and effective.

Storage

An important feature of any fishing kayak is storage and this is an area that Pelican have really worked on with the Mustang 100x model.

You will be able to fit all your tackle boxes, reels and other bits of gear in the front storage hatch of this kayak, or in the tank well at the back of the boat. 

Both areas come with a bungee cord that can be laced over them to stop either compartment from coming loose if the kayak turns.

What is more, these bungee cords are an incredibly handy way of securing a catch in the first instance, and will hold multiple fish flat and still, so you just need to catch them!

The other amazing addition to the Mustang 100x is the 17-litre hard-shell storage compartment that can be removed and towed behind the kayak if needs be.

This EXOPOD compartment attaches to specifically designed loop holes at the back of the kayak, allowing you to free up space in the well hull for extra gear or supplies.

The EXOPOD floats beautifully and attaches securely, however it does cause a bit of backwards drag as you are paddling forwards.

But the pelican designers haven’t stopped there. This kayak has two fishing rod holders in which you can rest your rods, and two bottle holders so that you can easily access your water or whatever else you might wish to store in there.

These little features really do make a difference on a long day out on the river and show that this kayak has clearly been made by fishing enthusiasts for fishing enthusiasts.

The last awesome storage solution in this kayak is the cockpit smartphone holder. This innovation is ideal for the modern fisherman who may want their phone on hand to check location, conditions or even check the time.

The handy holder allows you to access your phone easily without having to route around in the hull or in your pockets.

Portability

Thanks to the lightweight design of the Pelican Mustang 100x, this kayak is easy to lift and carry from car to water and back again.

It also makes it easier to lift onto rails or hooks in your garage when you get home, which is something that many people don’t think about but something that you really appreciate later.

The fact that the boat itself only weighs 39 lbs also means that you can carry quite a large load in terms of gear and supplies and you won’t become too heavy in the water.

The lightweight nature of the Mustang 100x means that it moves pretty speedily even in slow currents and that you don’t need to work too hard with the paddles to build up pace.

Areas for Improvement

Of course, no vessel is perfect and even the Mustang 100x has areas that could be developed further. The first is that it only has the capacity for a single person with no option of adding a passenger.

The design of the kayak is such that there is no well for a passenger to sit between your legs in, and no back deck area that they could perch on.

As many people enjoy taking their dogs or children out from a turn on the water this can seem limiting. However, as a single person fishing vessel this kayak works very well.

The second area for improvement is that the seating area in this kayak is not waterproof. This means that any items being stored in the cockpit will need to be placed in dry bags to protect them from water damage, especially if you are navigating choppy waters that are likely to splash into the hull.

Intermediate and advanced kayakers will not find this is such an issue because they will be able to keep the vessel balanced, however beginners will certainly want to think carefully about what items they have in the belly of the boat.

Final Verdict

The Pelican Mustang 100x is an affordable fishing kayak that works brilliantly for one person and has ample storage space for kit and supplies. It is lightweight, comfortable and durable, just make sure that your belongings are protected as water can get into the seating area easily.