Old Town Sportsman 120 Autopilot. The Perfect One Man Bass Boat?

[Koz]

 

[casts_by_fly]

12 hours ago, Koz said:

 

 

oh, that’s cute. Getting a 95lb kayak 4’ off the ground. Now add 80 lb and two feet to the boat to try that again.

[VolFan]

The idea and leverage is all the same if it’s 180 lbs and the extra length actually makes it easier. I load from the side not the back because of a rear air foil/high brake light on my 4Runner.  I will say if there’s no good handholds it’ll be a huge challenge though.  Towels and pool noodles are your friend until you get the process down. 

[flyfisher]

18 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

oh, that’s cute. Getting a 95lb kayak 4’ off the ground. Now add 80 lb and two feet to the boat to try that again.

Longer length is easier to maneuver in the way they are loading.  Also, what Kayak weighs 175?  Pretty sure the autopilot is under that and you can take the motor out for loading which you would want to do if cartopping anyways most likely and that is probably 25lbs or so.  

cartoppign a kayak is as much about technique as it is strength.  I used to cartop my 100lb ATAK 140 on a Jeep Wrangler with a small lift and it wasn't that bad.  Just gotta find the tru balance point and it is more than manageable.

[Koz]

19 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

oh, that’s cute. Getting a 95lb kayak 4’ off the ground. Now add 80 lb and two feet to the boat to try that again.

Same concept with that additional piece. Leverage and finding the right pivot point is key.

 

It’s like when you put your kayak on a pull cart. Too far to the back and it’s heavier to pull. Closer to the COG and it’s easier to pull.

[Motoboss]

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!

 

[flyfisher]

We really are lucky with the innovations that have come to the kayak world in the last 10 years or so.  When i started kayak fishing it was find a suitable SOT and modify it to fish from as best you could and I did just that and loved it.  People were DIYing everything imaginable and now, if you thought of it, somebody probably made it for you

[Koz]

3 hours ago, Motoboss said:

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.

 

I'm not sure why anyone would car top a kayak with all of their equipment or even the seat still installed. You'd be asking for trouble between stopping short and possible damaging or losing something or just creating all of that extra drag.

[Motoboss]

15 hours ago, Koz said:

I'm not sure why anyone would car top a kayak with all of their equipment or even the seat still installed. You'd be asking for trouble between stopping short and possible damaging or losing something or just creating all of that extra drag.

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

[flyfisher]

12 minutes ago, Motoboss said:

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

The whole taking everything out is why i got a trailer.....i was tired of taking everything off after each trip and reinstalling it at the ramp.

[Motoboss]

18 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

The whole taking everything out is why i got a trailer.....i was tired of taking everything off after each trip and reinstalling it at the ramp.

I can understand that but there’s no way I will pull a kayak trailer along with my camper. There will be no Kayak trailer in my future!

 

Two methods; truck bed when local, topper when traveling with the camper.

 

[flyfisher]

3 hours ago, Motoboss said:

I can understand that but there’s no way I will pull a kayak trailer along with my camper. There will be no Kayak trailer in my future!

 

Two methods; truck bed when local, topper when traveling with the camper.

 

understandable.  My next vehicle will probably be a truck and I will get rid of the trailer and just use the bed.  I like the trailer though as it serves as storage and I can be on the road in about 10 minutes from deciding to pulling out of my driveway.

[Motoboss]

I do own a 6x10 utility trailer that I can use, if I wish but just don’t see it as necessary, for me.

 

Now, I may put it on the trailer if I want to do a motel/tent camp overnighter to a nice lake/river with ramp access several hours from the house but I feel that would be very limited. Those type of fishing trips I usually take the camper which would require putting it on the topper.

 

But I totally get the trailer ease of use, mobility and storage benefits.

[Motoboss]

On 10/14/2022 at 8:44 AM, Motoboss said:

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.

Collecting the “essentials “ I can now add the Wilderness Kayak Cart to the list. Got a good deal on it so couldn’t resist!

 

Just the Lithium 100ah battery left on the list, now to save my pennies!

 

[Motoboss]

Essentials update. Since I have acquired the “basics” to get out on the lake/river, Christmas did add a few new items.

Not asked for but as gifts!

26” Ketch Board (mandatory for local KBF tournaments)

2 Yakattack Omega Rod Holders

NRS River Knife for the PFD

 

Still about a month out for delivery but looking at the Helix 7 graph to add along with the LifePo4 batteries when the kayak arrives. 
Still resisting the “buy everything” urges but happy with the items I have accumulated, being the same type of things I would use on any of my previous bass boats.

[Motoboss]

Well, I started this while in the purchase process of my kayak. I have got it, rigged it and had it out a few times. I love it!

It is stable, easy to use, easy to load and unload out of my truck. I will say one noted downfall is getting it back on the cart at the water, very awkward if on any kind of uneven slant. But still doable, I just have to get my method figured out.

 

After owing about every style of fishing boat (Rangers, Lund, pontoon, flats and skiffs) this is something that can be thrown in the truck and hit the water when the feeling strikes, which is refreshing. All in all it’s been a great deal of fun and really looking forward to warmer, non rainy summer weather.

 

 

[casts_by_fly]

18 hours ago, Motoboss said:

Well, I started this while in the purchase process of my kayak. I have got it, rigged it and had it out a few times. I love it!

It is stable, easy to use, easy to load and unload out of my truck. I will say one noted downfall is getting it back on the cart at the water, very awkward if on any kind of uneven slant. But still doable, I just have to get my method figured out.

 

After owing about every style of fishing boat (Rangers, Lund, pontoon, flats and skiffs) this is something that can be thrown in the truck and hit the water when the feeling strikes, which is refreshing. All in all it’s been a great deal of fun and really looking forward to warmer, non rainy summer weather.

 

 

 

a bolt on kickstand from Amazon for $10 is what you need on the cart. It holds the cart level while you lift the boat onto it. 
 

glad you like the AP.  I’m the same. Starting about now in the year I typically just leave it in the bed of the truck and the truck loaded with gear. If I get a sudden open afternoon I can pop out to a nearby lake and in 25 minutes I’m casting. 

[Motoboss]

Funny, just last week I bought an aluminum kickstand off Amazon for $7.00! My first attempt putting the kayak on went great but fumbled trying to get it off the cart at the water.
Had the kickstand facing forward and down!!!

 

Lesson learned. It does help tremendously.

[FryDog62]

55 minutes ago, Motoboss said:

Funny, just last week I bought an aluminum kickstand off Amazon for $7.00! My first attempt putting the kayak on went great but fumbled trying to get it off the cart at the water.
Had the kickstand facing forward and down!!!

 

Lesson learned. It does help tremendously.

I bought chocks off Amazon, they work too and fun other uses for them around the garage. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006PJNVQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

[Motoboss]

54 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I bought chocks off Amazon, they work too and fun other uses for them around the garage. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006PJNVQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Never thought of the chocks. I have three or four pair in the garage. Nice idea.

[Darth-Baiter]

On 4/28/2023 at 2:30 PM, Motoboss said:

Well, I started this while in the purchase process of my kayak. I have got it, rigged it and had it out a few times. I love it!

It is stable, easy to use, easy to load and unload out of my truck. I will say one noted downfall is getting it back on the cart at the water, very awkward if on any kind of uneven slant. But still doable, I just have to get my method figured out.

 

After owing about every style of fishing boat (Rangers, Lund, pontoon, flats and skiffs) this is something that can be thrown in the truck and hit the water when the feeling strikes, which is refreshing. All in all it’s been a great deal of fun and really looking forward to warmer, non rainy summer weather.

 

 

Awesome