My New Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 + Video

[Koz]

23 hours ago, schplurg said:

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.

Of all of the things I have bought for my kayak (fishfinder, paddle, storage, rods, reels, cables and locks, etc.) the best purchase I made was the CTug cart. Worth every penny. I can't begin to tell you how much a difference it made in pulling the kayak around. Once you find that sweet spot to put it, hauling it becomes that much easier (but up a steep hill in the heat is still a pain!).

 

I do pull the pedal drive and lay it on the kayak, and my rudder will lock in the upright position.

 

Somebody should work on that motorized Yak transport, Or you could put a CTug on each end, pull the pedal drive, and make like The Flintstones.

[schplurg]

I could swear I saw an electric kayak cart on CraigsList several days ago. It looked homemade and I'm not positive what they meant by "electric". Maybe I imagined it heh

[Matt Hoo]

On 8/31/2021 at 10:37 PM, 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 have a sportsman 106PDL and I just bought a pro angler 12/360. I really like the 106, but there were some things that I wanted be able to do a bit better. The 360 capabilities are crazy. I also added a torqeedo 1103. What I have now is probably about as good as you can get in a fishing kayak. I will still say the OT sportsman PDL line is awesome. Outside of the PA I think it is the best out there. I would take the OT over a Hobie Outback 100 times out of 100. The OT will serve you well. 

[Bluebasser86]

17 hours ago, Krux5506 said:

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. 

I have a trailer for mine but I never use it. Not having to deal with trailer lights, tires, bearings and all that mess. Don't have to register a trailer that small in Kansas and don't have to register my kayak since it's not motorized. Makes hauling a pedal drive yak in the back of the truck the cheapest way to get on the water by far. 

[king fisher]

Congratulations on your new kayak.  If you haven’t done so already, I recommend going out on a nice day flipping over and practice getting back in a few times.  I know it is a very stable vessel but so was the titanic.

[JimT]

On 9/3/2021 at 12:47 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

I have a trailer for mine but I never use it. Not having to deal with trailer lights, tires, bearings and all that mess. Don't have to register a trailer that small in Kansas and don't have to register my kayak since it's not motorized. Makes hauling a pedal drive yak in the back of the truck the cheapest way to get on the water by far. 

if I'm going solo that's how I do it as well, but if we've got two kayaks I find the trailer is easier, plus I usually need more stuff in the truck bed for two people. But agree about the truck bed making things quick and easy. And I don't get shut out when the boat launches are crowded or full.

[Boomstick]

Grats on the new rig! My youngest son has a Topwater 120, and it definitely is very stable. It's pretty well equipped out of the box as well.

[schplurg]

Hit the Delta today. Did 3.25 miles while fishing for 3 hours.

 

Hidden feature (probably true with many PDL yaks): there is a urinal built into the yak! Pull up the pedal drive and...well ya. Worked great today in a pinch.

 

Would be great to have a trailer someday. I had an empty launch ramp so had time to think about how to best launch this thing. I had too much gear! Had it all on the dock laid out, like "what the heck I'm I doing? Must be an easier way."

 

But for now it's all good. Worth the effort for sure. Was able to roof load it on the ramp easily. Feared it might slide off due to the angle but nope.

 

Used the fish finder. The yak has a ducer mount but I'm afraid I'll damage it dragging it, so I made a quick aluminum arm thingy and track mounted it. I'll post pics later. Works good for now.

[A-Jay]

6 hours ago, schplurg said:

Hidden feature 

TMI

#stinkyboat

?

A-Jay

[JimT]

7 hours ago, schplurg said:

 

Used the fish finder. The yak has a ducer mount but I'm afraid I'll damage it dragging it, so I made a quick aluminum arm thingy and track mounted it. I'll post pics later. Works good for now.

 

I got the scupper mount kit from Navarre and installed it that way instead of on the yak's factory mount. Gets the transducer up against the base of the yak and pretty much out of the keel line when dragging. Transducer works perfectly and the kit is a very easy install. 

[Koz]

19 hours ago, schplurg said:

Hidden feature (probably true with many PDL yaks): there is a urinal built into the yak! Pull up the pedal drive and...well ya. Worked great today in a pinch.

 

I suppose that you could turn around and squat over it, too!

[schplurg]

I'm making a panel that fits into the PDL drive hole when the drive is up. I didn't want to pay $70 for this.

 

I found a cutting board on Amazon for $22. It's 3/4 inch thick. Cheaper than buying HDPE. Well it looks like it's back up to $27 now:

 

Amazon.com: Update International CB-1218H PE Cutting Board 12x18x3/4in: Home & Kitchen

 

I still need to finish it but my tendinitis is bothering me after the work I've done so far. I used a jig saw which was a bit of a mess. Band saw would be better, or router.

 

Needs a lot of cleaning up, jagged edges. It's even grippy, though I will add some type of padding or grip tape later.

 

You could use a piece of 3/4 inch wood and paint it too. I could have found some free probably, but thought I'd go with the plastic.

 

This panel is good in case you drop your keys or anything else while the drive is up. I raise the pedals to clean grass off the prop as well as to paddle through vegetation.

 

Locks right into place. Like I said it needs some cleaning up but it will work. I will add a handle to grab it with.

 

 

This stuff was tough to cut, may have had an old blade. Should look good after I sand it down. This thing was a pain to make a pattern for. I used cardboard.

 

Pattern wasn't perfect so I had to cut, try and fit it, cut again, fit, cut over and over. It's a bit torn up.

[MN Fisher]

I know it's a little late - but when making custom-fit items from 'expensive' materials...the standard is to make a template out of cardboard.

 

Looks good though, so you got through the difficult part.

 

Those cutting boards are HDPE, but a different formula than the sheets...and yes, they are really dense and hard. A metal cutting blade is normally used (use to work for a company that made them).

[schplurg]

I did the cardboard but wasn't perfect. Worse than I thought, I should have been more patient. I've worked with Starboard and I like that, this seems different. And yes very dense! Holy cow. I will buy my roommate a pack of blades for the jigsaw, he needed them even before I started haha. 

 

I wanted to do cardboard, then a thin wood pattern. I could router around that perfectly. Jigsaw sucked LOL. It tore this stuff up.

 

I don't have the cabinet shop to play in anymore. Parents owned one for 45 years and it was awesome growing up with that big shop on the property. I'll sand it in a few days and show y'all how that turns out.

 

Edit:

I do still have access to the shop, the new owner is cool, I just feel weird asking him. If I could make a better pattern I could use the CNC and make a bunch of these.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, schplurg said:

I don't have the cabinet shop to play in anymore. Parents owned one for 45 years and it was awesome growing up with that big shop on the property. I'll sand it in a few days and show y'all how that turns out.

Guess I'm lucky - still have most of the tools I owned when I ran a cabinet-making business out of my basement.

[schplurg]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Guess I'm lucky - still have most of the tools I owned when I ran a cabinet-making business out of my basement.

 

That's great, I miss it. I added above that I still have access to the shop via the new owner. It's a drive though. Different building. My family sold it to one of the employees, super nice guy.

 

The gizmo is still a little tight too, so hopefully I can make it purty still by sanding. It'll rarely get used anyways, not that that matters  If it fits well enough I can make a pattern and share it I suppose. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

I watched the video without sound. What lake is this? A private lake in California?

[schplurg]

1 hour ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

I watched the video without sound. What lake is this? A private lake in California?

 

Not private but only one public launch ramp. 

[schplurg]

Went out today, Calero. Nada. Nobody had anything positive to say about the fishing there. It's close though. Silver lining!

 

I used the Garmin Echomap today and it's great for me mounted on the right-side track. This is my Ride 115 shown in first image below, but the mount is the same. Same placement too. Made of Starboard. I painted it black.

 

I stole the ball mount from a rod holder I have, and I used another for the ducer arm. I can pivot the screen out over the water if I need it out of the way. I made this when Covid started and had little choice.

 

I like it low and out of the way. I think I'd like it next to the seat, I don't look at it constantly. I mount my aluminum ducer arm right in front of it.

 

 

Was wondering about the picture below, I've only used this three times:

 

- is my transducer too high, or sensitivity off? Why yellow from 0 - 2 feet? Or is that green? :-D

- Them 'r fish, right? Them archy thangs?

- bait ball in the middle or veg?

- I see dinosaur eggs too I think.

 

Echomap 6 cv I think.

 

Them archy thangs ignored me all day. Was fun and I needed to get out, BAD!

 

Oh I used the paddle today in a spot. Man I do NOT miss that thing! Pedals all - the - way!!!

 

[schplurg]

Can't sleep so...my yak loadout for today:

 

 

My customized crate has 4 rod holders that I made, plus lid and latch. All StarBoard and PVC pipe. I don't know what the lid is, some plastic I found.

 

Got a DIY battery box made from a plastic ammo case with two 8 or 11 ah batteries, can't remember how much. Powers the fish finder, light, has USB ports and all that. Powers one camera.

 

I am going to make a custom power and storage box soon. The rear storage area of this yak is wide and I want to use it. 

 

DIY flag/light/camera pole, made with a socket for a cars reverse light and an LED bulb. Pole needs upgrading, and needs to be moved to the back where the power pole mount area is (back left corner).

 

Graph and ducer on the front right rail, ducer is tilted up 90 deg. Got a beanie on my seat for no reason. It's a prop cover for when I have the pedal drive in the van.

 

Got 2 Plano boxes stashed under/in the seat. That's nice, up out of any water. Freezer ziploc of plastics behind the seat just thrown there. Oh and there's my orange DIY mini oar next to the crate. I actually used it today.

 

Those rectangular clear bait covers on my rods are awesome. Keeps the hooks from digging into my upholstery in the van, my fingers, and each other as I carry them. Simple and effective, and I like them clear. I take em off once I'm ready.

 

My lesson of the day:

 

I sped towards the launch area, aimed the yak for the dirt right next to the dock - I didn't wanna block the ramp.

 

I got up some speed then as it got shallow I yanked up the pedal drive, then pulled up the rudder. The yak turned for some reason (wind, weird drag?) during this and I nailed the dock at about 35 degrees I'd say. Pang! No biggie I just thought it was funny. Note to self.

[TnRiver46]

On 10/2/2021 at 12:53 AM, schplurg said:

Went out today, Calero. Nada. Nobody had anything positive to say about the fishing there. It's close though. Silver lining!

 

I used the Garmin Echomap today and it's great for me mounted on the right-side track. This is my Ride 115 shown in first image below, but the mount is the same. Same placement too. Made of Starboard. I painted it black.

 

I stole the ball mount from a rod holder I have, and I used another for the ducer arm. I can pivot the screen out over the water if I need it out of the way. I made this when Covid started and had little choice.

 

I like it low and out of the way. I think I'd like it next to the seat, I don't look at it constantly. I mount my aluminum ducer arm right in front of it.

 

 

Was wondering about the picture below, I've only used this three times:

 

- is my transducer too high, or sensitivity off? Why yellow from 0 - 2 feet? Or is that green? ?

- Them 'r fish, right? Them archy thangs?

- bait ball in the middle or veg?

- I see dinosaur eggs too I think.

 

Echomap 6 cv I think.

 

Them archy thangs ignored me all day. Was fun and I needed to get out, BAD!

 

Oh I used the paddle today in a spot. Man I do NOT miss that thing! Pedals all - the - way!!!

 

Holy cow. Yes. Those are fish. Do you have it set on demo mode??

[schplurg]

9 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Holy cow. Yes. Those are fish. Do you have it set on demo mode??

 

Haha no but they did ignore me. I have a lot to learn for sure. I could see my bait sometimes on the screen. "It's right there! Eat it!" Well at least I know they are there.

 

I saw a ton of frye in the back cove swimming in the veg near shore. Couldn't tell what they were. Looked kinda big. The guy who does the inspections at the ramp said nobodys catching, but he heard there was bass spawning near the dam. I'm like...okaaaay. Possible.

 

Gonna hit the Delta in a few.

[Eric 26]

On 8/29/2021 at 5:01 PM, schplurg said:

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.

 

Very good review?? And really enjoyed the video. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

How hard is the 106 to load on top of a vehicle? I currently drive a 4 door Colorado with a topper on the bed and keep a rather large tool box in the bed, so not sure how well it would fit in there. I do have roof racks though and am strongly considering the 106.

[king fisher]

On 10/1/2021 at 11:53 PM, schplurg said:

Went out today, Calero. Nada. Nobody had anything positive to say about the fishing there. It's close though. Silver lining!

 

I used the Garmin Echomap today and it's great for me mounted on the right-side track. This is my Ride 115 shown in first image below, but the mount is the same. Same placement too. Made of Starboard. I painted it black.

 

I stole the ball mount from a rod holder I have, and I used another for the ducer arm. I can pivot the screen out over the water if I need it out of the way. I made this when Covid started and had little choice.

 

I like it low and out of the way. I think I'd like it next to the seat, I don't look at it constantly. I mount my aluminum ducer arm right in front of it.

 

 

Was wondering about the picture below, I've only used this three times:

 

- is my transducer too high, or sensitivity off? Why yellow from 0 - 2 feet? Or is that green? ?

- Them 'r fish, right? Them archy thangs?

- bait ball in the middle or veg?

- I see dinosaur eggs too I think.

 

Echomap 6 cv I think.

 

Them archy thangs ignored me all day. Was fun and I needed to get out, BAD!

 

Oh I used the paddle today in a spot. Man I do NOT miss that thing! Pedals all - the - way!!!

 

Don't feel bad, about not getting fish in this screen shot to bite.  I don't think the screen shot shows as many fish as it looks at first glance.  There are lots of inverted V's but most of them are not large fish.  The length of the V only shows the speed  that the target travels through the sonar cone, not the size of the fish.  If you travel over the fish quickly than the V will be small, if you travel over slowly it will be big, regardless of size of the fish.  If stationary it will simply be a line.  Large fish will be big vertically and show a strong signal with the strongest color, which is yellow on the color pallet you are using. All the inverted V's that are blue are probably baitfish, or even air bubbles in the water.  The big yellow blotch is a tightly concentrated bait ball.  A good sign there is bass nearby, but not bass.  Two V's near the bottom, one red, and one with some yellow, could be bass, but may be catfish, carp, or other larger fish.  With the amount of bait on the screen shot, I'm sure there were bass near by, but not necessarily in the shot itself. It would be interesting to see the same screen shot with the clear view screen.  It sometimes help to compare the two.