Motoboss

True, just making the point about weight. I know I will be taking “everything “ out when putting it on top of my topper.

Thanks for the video @Koz I have seen that on utube and agree @flyfisher it’s all about leverage and technique. OldTown Sportsman 120Autopilot Total Weight Capacity 558 lb | 253.11 kg Usable Weight Capacity 331 lb | 150.14 kg Assembled Boat Weight 152 lb | 68.9472 kg Motor Console Weight 24 lb | 10.89 kg Removable Seat Weight 6 lb | 2.72 kg Length 12 ft | 3.7 m Width 37 in | 94 cm Take out the seat and motor without battery/box your looking at 130ish pounds. Yes, it may be awkward but spread over 12 foot weight is absolutely not an issue. Very similar to my set up other than a topper -vs- the rack. Basically the same height. Also I will be using the Yakima DeckHand landing cradle with the HandRoll system, further aiding in ease of loading. More than one way to skin a cat!

I remember those Hank Parker episodes

No

Little update Trying to refrain from a spend-a-thon I have started to acquire the essentials. Purchased: Stohlquist Fisherman PFD (on sale!) Bending Branches Angler Drift Paddle @270cm Yet to obtain: Kayak Cart LifePo4 Battery (waiting until solid Kayak delivery date) As so aptly pointed out these 4 items will get me on the water immediately and safely.

My ARE Revo is solid fiberglass at about 225 pounds and being so large it takes someone on every corner to get it set right on the truck without rolling the seal. The Wife and I, with the help of the neighbor kid, slid it off but it’ll take more effort to get it back on properly. And the Wife said “no way” !! Anyway, you can see the Yakima bars where the 120AP will reside while camping.

90+% of the time I plan on putting it in the truck bed. Only when traveling with the Camper will I have to but it on top of the topper. I will make a video when I have possession. The hard part is putting the fiberglass topper back on my truck! It takes 4 grown men or a forklift.

I guess that “car topping” is what your comfortable with. I see no problem for myself. I have actually tested this with a 136 and had absolutely no issues loading by myself. It’s all about leverage, set-up and method. With an extra pair of hands it becomes even easier. Whatever works for each individual ?

A tailgate extender is a consideration. Yes putting the Kayak on the Yakima crossbars on top of my ARE topper is the plan. I spent 35+ years loading 24, 32 and 40 foot ladders on top of a truck or van and don’t foresee the AP as an issue. Plus it would only be used when traveling long distances, otherwise it’s going in the bed.

This is on the “options” list as well. Unfortunately I have a Decked drawer system in the bed and it’s an additional 11” tall. I’ll probably have to weld one up to fit but it’s a consideration.

Thanks for all the positive replies, much appreciated. Having owned several powered boats I have all the fishing gear I could ever use and plan on limited Kayak purchases first. My “want” list of first planned purchases; -Stohlquist Fisherman PFD (I have read your post @FishTank) -Bending Branches Paddle -Wilderness System Cart -Rebel or Dakota 100 AH LifePo4 Lithium Battery @FryDog62 the seat risers are a strong consideration as highly necessary at 6’ 3”. These are the “essentials “ I will buy first then, just fish. These items will get me on the water safely and slowly (hopefully ) I can compile other items as I see the need. @Darth-Baiter and @Wprich thanks for the “slow my roll” comments because that’s exactly what I need to do until I figure out the type of fishing I’ll do most often. Thanks @casts_by_fly for the rod holder heads up. I plan on truck bedding the Kayak locally and have a ARE topper with Yakima racks for longer trips and while pulling the Casita camper on travel trips. As I said it won’t be here until Spring so I’ll be asking for Kayaking education from you folks here. I am not on any social media apps but the Facebook Autopilot group may force me to join as locally it is pretty big. Thanks again

Being fairly new here this is my first thread and anticipate it, over time, to be long one. I’ve joined in on several other Kayak threads and decided to start one on my newly ordered 2023 Old Town Sportsman 120 Autopilot ! The Perfect one man bass boat for me. Let me say I am new to Kayaking, like brand new having never owned one and having only paddled a small creek model over 25 years ago. Having had most every type of fishing boat through the years I always felt the biggest ($$$$$$) was the way to go and never really even considered a Kayak. Until now. Moving on in years and a quadruple bypass behind me I wanted something light weight, comfortable, stable and safe with all the benefits of a bass boat in a smaller manageable package. Until coming to Bass Resource I didn’t realize the involvement and obsession in Kayaking by so many, and even those in my local area was an eye opener. A big shout out to @Koz for inspiration and to @FishTank for leading me to a local outfitter and introduction to Jessica at Moving Waters Outfitters, a very knowledgeable young lady. I had recently posted about ordering an Old Town Sportsman 106 Powered By Minn Kota which I did order and believed it was going to be everything I could want in a Kayak. Today at MWO I was able to climb all over ‘22 floor models and was so impressed that I knew I had to move up to the 120AP from the 106MK. After very little deliberation, and the Wife’s approval and insistence I ordered a 2023 Old Town Sportsman 120 Autopilot in Ember (orange) and couldn’t be more excited. Only dilemma was the floor model on sale at MWO ( at an exceptional price) was in competition with another outfitter carrying the same brand, which just so happens to be family. After a quick phone call my nephew agreed to order me a 2023 model,,,,,,,,at an even better price. I couldn’t refuse and promptly canceled the 106MK for the 120AP. So with my apologies to Jessica, which she totally understood and agreed it was the right decision, we went by the shop and placed the order. Only downside, it won’t be here until after the first of the year So now the long wait begins but so does the accessories collection. At MWO this morning the darling Wife of 44 years bought me my first accessory , a spare prop blade kit. Let me just say I am a gear junkie and have the bad habit of excess at times and very impatient so this could get ugly. Down the rabbit hole I go! Thanks again for all the answers and inspiration from everyone. I’ll update this as the quest progresses.

Throw’n a spinnerbait. Pretty darn accurate and successful with one, both in daylight and at night.

A “metal detector “!,,,, nice cover ?

I fish every dock I come across. Last time I banged a spinnerblade off a dock was more than 15 years ago while night fishing for smallies. I respect folks property but if it’s sticking out in the water, it’s fair game. Had a guy at the lake one time believe his property lines extended all the way to the center of the lake. Sorry, not!

Wow!

Any pictures of the set up and mounting?

Apparently the thinking is I’m a young tri-athlete with interest in long haul fishing trips. Nope! I’m near 70 with a quadruple bypass behind me and looking for relaxation. My paddling consists of current drift correction in shallow rivers. I have no plans of serious paddling any rivers or lakes, just correcting a drift from point a to b. I don’t consider this kayak a big boat at 10’ 6” and 37” wide and 6’ 3” at 215 lbs think the 45 pound thrust trolling motor will take care of the rest. This is going to be a mini bass boat and have no delusions of 8 or 10 mile fishing trips but do see being on the water for six hours or so at a time slow cruising or drifting. I absolutely have no desire to paddle or pedal a boat anywhere I do know there are abundant options but a all around, ready rigged out the door powered kayak options are severely limited. As I’ve said, I understand my needs and find this to be a great fit for drift fishing rivers, large pond and small lake fishing. Apologies to @Koz for hijacking his thread, although I do appreciate the input.

Thanks. As I said I evaluated and researched my needs throughly and find this to be an excellent choice. Everything is a compromise to some extent.

I totally understand that ! Having owned about every type of fishing rig, from Rangers to V-hull’s reading your quest got me to thinking and into deeper research,,,,again. I decided to go down the kayak path but wanted power and portability. Something light weight with the ability to carry without a trailer, and the option to paddle skinny water. You inspired me to make the decision and “bite the bullet” and spend what was necessary upfront and get a total package. I feel my decision covers my goals at a reasonable all-in price. So I have ordered a new, (heavy sigh) Old Town Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota in ember color. Hopefully this is the right decision and can enjoy it as a “mini bass boat” in many different water possibilities. Unfortunately, it won’t be delivered until early next Spring. Which is fine as now I can gear up with all the accessories. Thanks for sending me down the rabbit hole!

Spectra Braid on everything. Soft as silk and limp as,,,,,,,,well you name it! A flro leader on a drop shot and maybe on crystal clear water dead stick rigs is about it for me.

Bummer,,,,,, for everyone in Florida.

Semantics I guess. I get it.

Ok we are hundreds of miles inland and use the term “Brackish” to describe off colored water. Technically yes, as defined by @MN Fisher post but I was referencing “in genral”, sorry! River/stream water contains runoff which have soil, minerals and contaminants from the soil. Even rock and sand erosion contributes to the color. Brackish (off color) water doesn’t fall from the sky and inland there are no salty water conditions but still brackish colored water.

Agree with @TnRiver46 Example A……. https://www.lundboats.com/build/boat-configurator.Z18ALS.html