My New Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 + Video

[schplurg]

Just bought a brand new Old Town Sportsman PDL 106!

 

The below video shows me launching it for the first time, my first time pedaling a yak, my first fat bass caught in it, and me just playing around and fishing in it over 3 days. 

 

 

By the way I make no money on Youtube, it's all just fun for me.

 

I've talked a lot here about how I didn't like kayak fishing, but I decided it was mainly because of the paddle and the lack of stability of my WS Ride 115.

 

I took a shot and went for the Sportsman PDL and man it has changed my mind completely! I love this kayak!

 

The pedals are the big game changer. My tendinitis is a problem for paddling, but equally frustrating is grabbing an 8 foot paddle all the time. The pedals make going distances much easier for me, and the ability to make hands-free micro changes forward and backwards as I drift by docks or reeds is a massive benefit.

 

I went with the pedal drive for hands free reverse. There was no possibility of me wanting a Hobie style fin drive. And I never used a paddle in all 3 days. Yes!!!

 

Stability! My Ride 115 never impressed me as far as stability goes. It worried me because some people say it is really stable. Well not compared to the Sportsman. I stood up and turned around to get something under my seat and it was like I was on the gound. I would have felt tippy in my Ride 115.

 

Standing and pitching is so much easier. I used to watch Greg Blanchard standing and wonder why he didn't look shaky when he stands. Now I know why...better yak.

 

The kayak tracks well. It stays straight even when I'm just drifting so I'm not constantly spinning out of position.

 

The seat is very strong and is made for big ol' XXXL Americans (which I am not). It is welded, that was the first thing I noticed about the yak, and it has nuts and bolts to keep the parts together, not rivets like my AirMax Pro seat. Or AirPro Max or whatever.

 

I averaged 3.7 mph hour pedaling the 3/4 mile from the launch to my Dad's dock, against a slight breeze. It was my first time in a pedal yak and my legs were toast right away! I took many 10 second rests. Made good time really.

 

The next day I pedaled and fished a couple miles no problem. Going point A to point B is a workout (don't go full speed Mike!), but once I'm fishing it's so easy. It's not made for speed, this thing cuts through the water like a floating bathtub. Okay not that bad.

 

I considered many yaks in the $1500 range, but the extra $500 I paid bought me one of the best pedal drives (and warranties) plus a lot of other features. It also bought me piece of mind knowing that this is a well built yak that should last a very long time.

 

This is a beautifully designed and engineered yak. I can tell that years of trial and error went into this. Everything is right where it should be. 

 

If anyone has questions I will answer them as best I can. I am very happy with this kayak. $2000 is a lot of money to me and it was worth every penny.

 

I recommend anyone looking at a cheaper pedal yak to think twice about buying one. There is a giant leap in quality between the price ranges, especially with Old Town. This is something I will use for years to come so why skimp? I love fishing more than anything.

 

[A-Jay]

Congrats on the new rig ~

Nice bass too.

Might not want to reel them right to the rod tip though.

Leave a little slack. 

A-Jay

 

[schplurg]

8 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Congrats on the new rig ~

Nice bass too.

Might not want to reel them right to the rod tip though.

Leave a little slack. 

A-Jay

 

 

Thanks! LOL ya I'm not sure why I did that! I've noticed that a few times before too. And watching the video makes me realize I need to change my overall fish landing and handling in the yak. Sure is fun!

[Bluebasser86]

Congrats! I have it's big brother, the 120pdl. It was a game changer for me as well.

 

I'd highly suggest some kind of hand paddle for small adjustments. I use a Yak Gear Backwater Assault paddle. Never thought I'd use one but I was given one and it's great for making small adjustments or using along with the peddles to make adjustments in tight quarters. 

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/yak-gear-backwater-assault-hand-paddle?ogmap=SEM|PLN|GOOG|SHOP|c|OUT||NonBrand-Shopping-HighIntent-Outdoor|Outdoor-Boating||71700000050238199|58700004916746683&sku=22-orange

[schplurg]

35 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Congrats! I have it's big brother, the 120pdl. It was a game changer for me as well.

 

I'd highly suggest some kind of hand paddle for small adjustments. I use a Yak Gear Backwater Assault paddle. Never thought I'd use one but I was given one and it's great for making small adjustments or using along with the peddles to make adjustments in tight quarters. 

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/yak-gear-backwater-assault-hand-paddle?ogmap=SEM|PLN|GOOG|SHOP|c|OUT||NonBrand-Shopping-HighIntent-Outdoor|Outdoor-Boating||71700000050238199|58700004916746683&sku=22-orange

Great minds think alike! I made one, it's the orange thing somewhere in my video. I used it with my old yak once or twice.

 

I hope I don't regret not getting the longer yak. Actually the only thing I wonder is if it's any faster. I can't see a foot and a half adding too much speed though. I do like the shorter size and lighter weight of the 106.

 

I was surprised at how much noise the drive makes when I had the yak on saw horses in the garage. I also thought the pedals would be easier to turn (out of the water).

 

I ordered a second prop and some shear pins today.

[Bluebasser86]

13 minutes ago, schplurg said:

Great minds think alike! I made one, it's the orange thing somewhere in my video. I used it with my old yak once or twice.

 

I hope I don't regret not getting the longer yak. Actually the only thing I wonder is if it's any faster. I can't see a foot and a half adding too much speed though. I do like the shorter size and lighter weight of the 106.

 

I was surprised at how much noise the drive makes when I had the yak on saw horses in the garage. I also thought the pedals would be easier to turn (out of the water).

 

I ordered a second prop and some shear pins today.

If you haven't watched some tips from Navarro on Youtube, check him out. I put some bike chain oil on my drive and it helps with the noise. 

 

I have 3 props after breaking one on a prefishing day in a stump filled lake. Haven't busted a shear pin yet but I'm sure I will. 

[Krux5506]

Great review, glad you like the yak. 

 

Only issue I've had with my PDL drive in my 13' Predator is it seems to wobble once it's in position and pedaling. Even when tightening the bolt that causes this, it seems to come loose fairly quick and goes back to wobbling/squeaking. A little Loctite should do the trick but just haven't done that yet. 

 

 

[Crankin4Bass]

Congrats on the new boat! Enjoy your new ride!

[wisconsin heat]

Nice review! I think that exact kayak is somewhere in my future...

[schplurg]

On 8/30/2021 at 12:37 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

If you haven't watched some tips from Navarro on Youtube, check him out. I put some bike chain oil on my drive and it helps with the noise. 

 

I have 3 props after breaking one on a prefishing day in a stump filled lake. Haven't busted a shear pin yet but I'm sure I will. 

 

I will check his vids, looks like the same guy I ordered the prop and pins from. I've seen a few of his vids. Thanks for the tips!

 

I am going to make my own insert piece for the hole that the PDL goes through. This:

 

https://navarrekayakfishing.com/shop/old-town-drive-inserts/

 

Brand new they are $70-75 bucks. No thanks! I was going to make it from a 3/4 inch thick cutting board (HDPE) but even that is $30. I decided to go with wood and seal it.

 

How many times a year will I use it? Once? If more than I will go with the plastic later.

 

I mention this because if it goes well I could make more if anyone wants them, or simply share the pattern I make.

[Scott804]

Nice write up! Think I'm going to buy one of these this winter, Kayak Tournament scene seems to be booming. I want a Hobie but that price tag is terrifying and so the Sportsmen looks like the perfect holdover kayak to use while I save for one. 

 

Good to hear that extra 500 is worth it! 

[Bluebasser86]

4 hours ago, Scott804 said:

Nice write up! Think I'm going to buy one of these this winter, Kayak Tournament scene seems to be booming. I want a Hobie but that price tag is terrifying and so the Sportsmen looks like the perfect holdover kayak to use while I save for one. 

 

Good to hear that extra 500 is worth it! 

I think you'll find the Old Town to be much more than a "holdover". 

 

Not sure what the supply is like now, but it took about 5 months to get mine, so might want to get on finding or ordering one soon. 

[schplurg]

The supply at least retail-wise is terrible which is why I jumped on this.

 

I know where they are in stock near Sacramento. Everyone else is still backordered, last I looked. Kayak City.

 

Owner said he had to order a truckload because the shipping is insane right now. You can't order just one, it's too expensive that way. I drove 2.5 hours to get it each way and was happy to be able do so.

[Bluebasser86]

I ordered mine from Eco Fishing Shop and was happy with them. Delivery was $50 and it was completely wrapped in plastic, bubble wrapped, and inside a huge, thick box. You inspect it at delivery to make sure there's no damage also. They carry it by hand between trucks and loading areas, no forklifts to damage it. Right now they show November as the ETA for orders. 

[schplurg]

I ordered mine online and picked it up the next day. Had to give them time to set it up. Gas was $50 so we paid the same in shipping lol.

 

Eco was one online store I checked and it was indeed November. Others were 4-6 weeks with $200 shipping. I went to Old Town website, checked a map of local retailers and kept trying until I found a store with stock.

 

Kayak City site said in stock August 12th I think so I waited that few days. One day it said "in stock" and I pounced. Anyone within driving distance that's where to go. They don't ship.

[Krux5506]

I got my Predator from Eco and was pretty pleased with them. Yeah it took about 3 months but I expected it to be longer quite honestly. My local dealer laughed at me when I asked if they had any in stock, and they told me (back in April) they could possibly have one by Fall. 

[Koz]

It's great when you make a big purchase like that on something totally unknown and you don't regret it.

 

I do have a couple of suggestions based upon my own experience. Before you launch, take the pedal drive out and set it on the dock. Then launch, pull up to the dock, and grab the pedal unit. When you return, pull up to the dock, take out the pedal unit and place it on the dock before pulling the kayak out of the water.

 

This makes it a bit easier getting the kayak in and out of the water. My kayak weighs just under 100 pounds with the seat and no drive, then I have my fishfinder, crate and gear. My pedal drive weighs about 22 pounds, so taking that out makes it a bit easier to get it in and out of the water.

 

I'd also make sure you don't have any baits swinging free on your extra rods. When "it" happens, you'll know what I mean.

 

Have you been out in windy conditions yet (10+ mph)? How does it handle in those conditions? Is it still stable? Is the rudder still stable when you set it and fish?

[Bluebasser86]

5 minutes ago, Koz said:

Have you been out in windy conditions yet (10+ mph)? How does it handle in those conditions? Is it still stable? Is the rudder still stable when you set it and fish?

I've had my 120pdl out in winds 30+. It's not ideal, but it handles it. I wasn't trying to fish out in it, but I had to cross a large area on the windblown side of the lake to get to and from my spot. 

 

Not sure what you mean by the rudder being stable when you set it and fish? You mean like it's not being turned by waves or anything?

[Koz]

13 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Not sure what you mean by the rudder being stable when you set it and fish? You mean like it's not being turned by waves or anything?

Yes. Is there any play in the rudder in heavy conditions. Also, I'm sure his 10 footer handles a bit different than a 12 footer in heavy conditions. I may eventually want to downsize to a lighter kayak as I get older and weaker.

 

If I ever switch to another pedal drive, it's nice to hear what others are saying about their kayaks. And now that I have my own pedal kayak I can ask questions based upon my experience and what characteristics I find important to me.

 

Before that, it was just a shot in the dark. I still love my Seastream, but it would be a lot easier to handle out of the water if I was younger and stronger and didn't have to haul it up and down a big hill. I really need to get an SUV to haul it to launch areas. Too bad cars are overpriced right now.

[Bluebasser86]

5 minutes ago, Koz said:

Yes. Is there any play in the rudder in heavy conditions. Also, I'm sure his 10 footer handles a bit different than a 12 footer in heavy conditions. I may eventually want to downsize to a lighter kayak as I get older and weaker.

 

If I ever switch to another pedal drive, it's nice to hear what others are saying about their kayaks. And now that I have my own pedal kayak I can ask questions based upon my experience and what characteristics I find important to me.

 

Before that, it was just a shot in the dark. I still love my Seastream, but it would be a lot easier to handle out of the water if I was younger and stronger and didn't have to haul it up and down a big hill. I really need to get an SUV to haul it to launch areas. Too bad cars are overpriced right now.

A friend of mine has the 106 and has had it out in some strong wind and done well. The specs are pretty close other than the 1.5' difference in length. He likes it so much he sold his Champion and switched to just fishing out of his kayak. I haven't noticed any kind of play in the rudder in heavy winds. 

106PDL

• Length: 10' 6" | 3.2 m
• Width: 36 in | 91.4 cm
• Weight: 76 lb | 34.47 kg

120PDL

• Length: 12' | 3.7 m
• Width: 36 in | 91.4 cm
• Weight: 85 lb | 39.46 kg

I pick my kayak up and carry it to the water and pick it up to put it into the back of my truck. One of the other guys in my club helped me unload it last Saturday at the tournament launch and couldn't believe how light it was (he has a Hobie PA 14 FWIW so he's used to a battleship of a kayak). 

[JimT]

on the rudder stability question on the Old Towns--I got the bolt kit from Navarre that has nylon washers you can tighten down (you could also just do the same thing with a trip to the hardware store, but I was buying other stuff from him at the same time). You can dial in the tension on the washers without having to constantly use the Old Town knob. Works great. I did find one day I was fishing in really calm quiet water and the rudder bolt made a god-awful squeal. When I got back I gave it a good shot of Boeshield and it's been fine ever since. 

[schplurg]

8 hours ago, Koz said:

It's great when you make a big purchase like that on something totally unknown and you don't regret it.

 

I do have a couple of suggestions based upon my own experience. Before you launch, take the pedal drive out and set it on the dock. Then launch, pull up to the dock, and grab the pedal unit. When you return, pull up to the dock, take out the pedal unit and place it on the dock before pulling the kayak out of the water.

 

This makes it a bit easier getting the kayak in and out of the water. My kayak weighs just under 100 pounds with the seat and no drive, then I have my fishfinder, crate and gear. My pedal drive weighs about 22 pounds, so taking that out makes it a bit easier to get it in and out of the water.

 

I'd also make sure you don't have any baits swinging free on your extra rods. When "it" happens, you'll know what I mean.

 

Have you been out in windy conditions yet (10+ mph)? How does it handle in those conditions? Is it still stable? Is the rudder still stable when you set it and fish?

 

 

I do need to not be lazy letting my baits swing, and yes I eventually had to unwrap one haha. Dum dum! I use velcro clear covers over my baits to keep them from tangling in the van. These are great! They can be seen in the vid somewhere. Just started using them. Maybe I will put them on between uses.

 

There is a horizontal "rod holder" I used a few times which was pretty cool. Slide the butt end under the seat and a little groove keeps it in place hanging over the bow. Pretty cool, I used to lay them down in my old yak and this is a nice simple addition.

 

I love the forward facing rod holder, the one I used after landing the fish. Very nice for rigging and de-hooking.

 

The empty yak is only 76 pounds, 107 fully loaded with the rudder and pedal drive, according to their site.. I've tried waiting to add the pedal drive until after it was in the water. Whichever is easier on my back is what I will do in the future. Interesting idea doing it from in the yak like you said instead of leaning down from the dock. Good tip I will try it!

 

There is zero play in the rudder. The rudder is great. The boat reacts to every movement I make with it, and getting the boat to go straight and stay that way is very easy.

0

There's a tension knob I can loosen or tighten that can lock the rudder in place. I examined the way the cables are attached to the rudder, and the mounts swivel so the wire doesn't bemd. Seems like a solid system. The tension knob tends to loosen over time as I use the rudder, my hand must rub against it.

 

I'm thinking about running a lever (stick?) from the right side under the seat so I can steer right handed too. I'd like to be able to do that, but small gripe.

 

I've only used it in light wind. I actually liked the way it pushed me straight along docks and shore. I never had to turn the yak really to adjust it. Standing and sitting. I need more hours on the water before I can really say anything about the wind though. Once I hit the Delta then I can answer haha!

 

One thing I wish was different was the size of the hatch openings. I wish the rear one would fit the battery I may one day buy. Lithium for trolling motor. I sit pretty forward in the yak and I feel like some weight in the rear would be helpful.

 

Hey Koz could you get a little quad bike or golf cart to tow it around? You use it at your hotel primarily, correct? I have a friend who can't use his legs at all. He rides a quad on his property and pulls his small aluminum boat to his pond with it.

[Koz]

4 hours ago, schplurg said:

There's a tension knob I can loosen or tighten that can lock the rudder in place.

 

That's a really neat idea. So far my rudder is really solid, even in heavy chop. Like you, I think it's great to be able to set the bow angle and the rudder and just drift along and fish. I don't know how those paddle kayak guys get any fishing done on bigger bodies of water with the wind and boat wakes.

 

Quote

Hey Koz could you get a little quad bike or golf cart to tow it around? You use it at your hotel primarily, correct?

That would be overkill.  It would be better if I just got in a little better shape. Most of the time it's not a big deal to pull it up the hill, especially with the CTug cart and setting it at the proper balance point.

 

But when it's 94 degrees out and I pedaled 5 miles out in the morning and pedaled 5 miles back in the midday heat it's no fun at all, especially when the summertime bite is really slow. I'm really looking forward to the cooler weather in the next few months.

[schplurg]

That's a good long trip! I thought you were serious about getting an SUV 

 

I will get a new cart. I managed to break my PVC one a little with my Ride 115, though I was trying to go down cement stairs with it haha. Pro Tip: My DIY cart design doesn't work well on cement stairs.

 

I believe you told me (Koz) earlier that you couldn't do the PVC cart for your new rig and now I see why. My new yak is much heavier with pedals in it than the old Ride 115. Time to upgrade.

 

We need a cart you can operate with the pedals/motor/rudder while sitting in the yak! Or maybe a Caryak.

[Krux5506]

I can tell you if I didn't have a truck I certainly wouldn't have gotten the 13' Predator. A trailer possibly but it seems overkill for a yak plus just another thing to register.