You've convinced me that the Old Town is the way to go. Stability is my biggest concern because I'm 70 and I find I don't have the best balance anymore. I was hesitant to buy a kayak for that very reason. I found it amazing that you can stand on the very front and sides and still not have any issues. Not that I'm going to do that myself. Thanks for a great video.
Probably one of the best real stability tests I have seen and its very appreciated. These guys who jump on them and do backflips off a kayak to show stability do nothing for me to show real life stability. This video sealed the deal for me on finally ordering my sportmen 120
This is the best real life stability test I have every seen. That lean over test sold it for me. I just ordered my pdl 120 and this assures me I made the correct decision. Thankyou very much. I would have paid money to get this type of reassurance on its stability especially since its my first kayak.
I subscribed your channel for many reasons, this show is one of those, any how: anglers be aware boat, dingy or kayaking- it always poses some (unexpected?) problems or misadventures ☝what you seeing now ,it is never too late to implement it / fishing with Nat you're gaining a very real knowledge 👍
It's good to prepare for the unexpected. Flipping a kayak can cause a real panic, or it can be merely an inconvenience if the person has done it before to prepare.
Love my PDL 120! It did flip only once, but it was my 85lb lab that slipped while I was leaning over to release a bass. If she had just fallen in it would have still been ok but her chest hit the edge of the kayak and that did us in.
I'm looking up several videos about the stability about these kayak's because I want to go on rivers and on ocean with me dog , I'm not a experienced fisher but I am interested in the future , therefore thank you for your video so I know what I can expect .
My dog is about 65lbs and he rides well in the back of the PDL120. The nicest part is that he is confined back there and can't walk around to the front to get in the way. I put some foam sheets back there or a piece of old carpeting and he loves it.
I would think the 106 would be pretty similar. The lighter weight will put your center of gravity a bit higher than it would be in the 120 so the stability might be a little bit less.
I have this exact kayak in the ember camo. It is a GREAT boat and very stable but I learned a valuable lesson peddling it back to the dock in some chop. DO NOT be in white caps on a lake without the paddle in your lap ready to deploy should a side-oriented wave catch you by surprise! I went for a swim not following this advice. I'd made it through some nasty chop on the lake and was 150 yards from the dock when a wave hit me from a side-and-behind angle. The boat did not capsize and I didn't even lose my lunch sack on the deck but I went over! If I would have had my paddle in my lap, I could have caught myself and all would have been fine!
I've had a few of those big waves hit me from a backward angle. The way those waves shove you and then pull you back can make it pretty tricky to get around (and stay on your boat)!
Great video regarding the stability of the Old Town Sportsman. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting for my Sportsman 106 PDL to arrive. Quick question…overall, how do like the OT PDL ?? ..🤔
I love it. I have yet to find anything I don't like about it, other than the weight. I fished for 17yrs out of kayaks that weighed under 50lbs and they could easily be tossed on the shoulder and carried wherever. The PDL 120 requires a cart or a boat landing. But the many benefits outweigh that one complaint.
@@MYNAMEISNUMBER2 I'm not certain on that but I believe there is an aftermarket plate for the front of the Sportsman 120 to attach a trolling motor to.
Is it easy to add a trolling motor tonthe non pdl version im bout to buy a 120 non pdl this week,your video just sold me , i was going between this and the vibe YF120 OR the VIBE SG110 OR this
The Salty 120 PDL is going to be a little faster, but the Sportsman 120 PDL will be a little more stable. Go with whichever one would be more appropriate for your typical day of fishing.
Looking at getting a 120 PDL for the spring. Good video, but would;ve liked to see the stability while reaching outwards (vs straight down), as you may do in the heat of the moment trying to land a fish, or maybe retrieve a lure from a snag. Alos, wouldn't the PDL drive also add a bit of stability, as it acts like a sailboat keel, adding additional 'bracing' to prevent rolling of the boat?
Hi Lee, thanks. I show how far you can lean outwards at about 1:38 in the video. I can lean so far that my body just falls off of the seat. This happens well before the boat shows any sign of rolling over. I think you're right - the PDL drive itself probably would add an extra bit of resistance to rolling because of the keel effect pushing against the water as the boat rocks. For that matter, the drive would also lower the center of gravity just a bit too, but I'm not sure that either of these effects would provide a noticeable difference.
@@FishingwithNat Thanks! I don't know how I missed that, but exactly what I wanted to see! I'm about to pull the trigger, but need to clean out the garage a bit to make room first! Happy paddling (pedaling?)!
@@riverpirate1022 The stability alone makes the price seem worthwhile and the overall quality appears better than most other kayaks I've researched. I'm all ears if you know of a better and cheaper one since I don't like to spend money unecessarily. I'm not buying until Spring 2024 anyway.
That is very impressive. You get what you pay for.. I bought a Pelican Sentinel 100xr Angler as my first Yak.. I wish I had waited and bought a better one. Big regrets!
I spent 16 years fishing from a 9.5' Old Town Otter before moving up to a few others and finally the PDL. You can catch a lot of fish in any of them, but I agree that the Sportsman PDL is an amazing kayak in terms of stability and a lot of other things!
I have a Topwater PDL 105 and I flipped it just leaning over to adjust a tangle. I didn't reach out very far and it shocked me that I went in that easily. I weigh over 200 lbs and I don't know if that had an impact. I just reached back to my left, turning my body so that my right arm was adjusting a tangled line and over I went and the boat too.
I think it was due to you reaching to your left side with your right arm. That would cause your whole upper body to lean somewhat over the side of the boat and shift your center of gravity a lot more than reaching out with one arm. But I'm surprised the boat flipped too and didn't just dump you off the side while remaining upright. I guess the important thing to ask is - did you get the tangle out? :)
Thanks for the review! I am looking to purchase that kayak. Quick question,… what pants do you wear? Looking for a good recommendation for lightweight pants to wear while I’m kayaking.
Central Wisconsin but I head east to Lake Michigan every fall for the salmon run. I might go over in a couple weeks for some nearshore browns too. I caught my first Lake Michigan salmon in a 9.5ft Old Town Otter. Compared to that, the PDL is a barge. There are actually several kayak-only salmon tournaments on Lake Michigan every year!
It's plenty stable for a 250 / 6'4" man. I'm only 160 / 5'10" but I have let friends use the PDL that are much taller and/or heavier and they have loved it.
Cuz of his long legs i thought he is atleast 6'3. I am 6'3 also 250 pounds+, and i can already us flipping like ninjas hahahaha. My friend, buy a boat, be a normal person, nothing wrong with it, chicks dig it too
From Navarre Kayak Fishing. I think there are other places to get similar products, but this is where I got mine. navarrekayakfishing.com/shop/old-town-drive-inserts/
I have been very impressed with my Old Town Sportsman PDL. I've had several other Old Town kayaks over the last 20 years and they have all been rock solid. I've also had two Perception models and those were solid too. I think any of the big brands provide great kayaks. I would just be careful with very thin, cheap kayaks like Pelicans. They are very lightweight and they work fine for many people, but they won't stand up to abuse like the thicker-hulled brands like Old Town, Perception, Hobie, Native, etc.
@FishingwithNat I just got an oldtown sportsman kayak..have never used a transducer ever. Feel a but overwhelmed with everything including set up. But going to jump into the game. Thank God for youtube
@@gtaylor9218 I have a video on setting up the Sportsman with a Helix 7 including mounting the transducer (if you decide to install a sonar system) ua-cam.com/video/WLYkFUHSJuA/v-deo.html
I've pedaled alongside them but never been in one. I would expect the stability to be a little bit better than the Sportsman 120 because it's heavier (lower center of gravity).
I haven't used the non-PDL version, but there is a difference in weight and width. The PDL120 is 36" wide and about 97lbs without the PDL drive in, and the Sportsman 120 is 33.5" wide and 85lbs. A wider, heavier hull will add more stability, so the non-PDL is probably less stable. Still, I've heard that it's a very stable boat.
bro dunks his head in the water, i hit the thumbs up button. it's good info on the stability of the kayak. and you never know when you'll need to bite the fish back.
You will want a large, heavy kayak like the PDL120, Bigwater 132, or a Hobie ProAngler 12 or ProAngler 14. The heavier your body is, the heavier you need the kayak to be to keep your center of gravity low and keep stability as good as possible. You can also look into kayak outriggers to attach to whatever kayak you end up buying, which greatly increase stability.
I use the YakAttack Omega Pro holders. Highly recommended. I talk about them in our PDL Fishing Modification video ua-cam.com/video/gX9YPkLc_Ec/v-deo.html
I plan to make a video on exactly that once the water warms up this year. Flipping it in deep water and showing what it takes to flip it back over. It's not easy with heavy fishing kayaks but it can be done.
Great sterile testing. Your skinny with almost no mass above your hips. Now do real world testing. 250lb fisherman (top heavy) Winter dressed with coat, plus wading boots, waders, and life jacket. 2.5" seat risers. Pedal drive. Rod holder. 9" Fish finder and 18AH battery. Maybe even trolling motor and 100AH battery. Rear crate with 20lb tackle bag. 3 or 4 fishing poles. 2-3 small Frozen bottles or water, and/or small cooler. Bag of snacks. Rope, anchor........ My new 120 pdl is very heavy fully loaded, very, no, somewhat unstable/tippy if I even lean over a little bit, and it sits low in the water but not to low, yet. The pedal drive is stiff, and it takes a LOT of effort to pedal 1 mile. I am going to look into adding a trolling motor cause screw that much pedaling lol. I almost wish I had bought the 120 Autopilot now, but that thing is even more overpriced than my 120 pdl which was ridiculously expensive for some plastic and a bicycle crank. Regardless, having a kayak to access water I could not wade fish or bank fish is amazing and I am SO glad I got one! Just wish everything was lighter (Including me!), and that prices were reasonable instead of insane. I could have bought a small jon boat kitted out for the price of my Oldtown 120 pdl.
So, if you didn't want to pedal, and thought an aluminum Jon boat was so much more economical, why didn't you just buy a Jon boat? Prices are what they are. Everyone weighs costs vs. benefits differently and has different criteria, so everything is a compromise. Otherwise we'd all be watching the same TV, driving the same vehicle, living in identical boxes, and floating around in the same boat. You could've bought a cheaper/lighter/faster/more stable kayak, but there'd be some compromise and you'd still be saying "I wish...". Yes, we all wish the Sportsman PDL 120 was cheaper, but what have you ever bought that you can't say the same about, yet still bought? For me, I thought hard about a Hobie Outback or PA, and looked at other brand / models as well, but in the end, the 120 PDL seemed to be the best compromise in price, layout, weight, comfort, stability, and durability for me. You must've gone through a similar thought process, weighing the pros and cons, before making a decision, and you still picked the 120 PDL, right? Also, the Sportsman seem to be one of the more stable kayaks currently being offered, but taking any boat and loading it up to near its weight rating, then increasing the center of gravity by raising the seating position, is going to cause problems (again, compromise - comfort vs stability in this case). Maybe you can rearrange your heavier items to sit lower in the hull, or maybe you don't need 20# of tackle, can get a lighter battery, and leave the snacks behind (double bonus!)? Maybe suck it up and pedal for a while - you may find pedaling getting easier and may even lose a few pounds (that's my hope as well!). But, adding another battery and trolling motor is NOT going to help with your stability issues, and if you can't compromise on the weight you're bringing with you, maybe the Sportsman wasn't the right choice for your style of boating/fishing? A non-PDL Sportsman or Bigwater may give you an extra 30-50# of usable cargo weight, and won't have that PDL drive that you don't seem to like. Or, some of the Hobies have higher weight ratings than the Sportsman, but they're going to cost more, and are still pedal drives. If you want to stick w/ the 120 PDL, and you're within the weight limit of the kayak so you stay safe, maybe you want to look at outriggers to add the stability you're looking for?
Fishermen come in all sizes - I can't argue that. I talk about how accessories and their placement can impact your kayak's stability and balance in our Re-entering a Fishing Kayak video ua-cam.com/video/XxQIKV9DnfA/v-deo.html . Regardless of an angler's body weight, they still have a lot of control over the stability of the boat as they add extra features/weight into the boat. Keep weight as close to the center line as possible, and as low as possible. I've seen people that mount lead-acid batteries up on their side geartrack. I hope they aren't surprised when their boat always wants to flip to that side!
@@FishingwithNat Very good advice and nice response. Wow putting an SLA battery on the rail, crazy stuff unless it's for some kind of counter balance, but still. I will look for your other video.
@@lmychajluk Your right, I went through the process and this kayak made the most sense. I suppose I will try to look at it more like the cheaper version as the hobbies are much more costly. Part of it is me getting used to it, and yes lots of gear makes it worse. The seat height increase is a game changer in comfort for many of us, but yes at a cost. Peddling sucks and yes, I need to do a lot more of it lol. I was not able to test out a pdl kayak before buying one but am no stranger to bicycles. I just wasn't prepared for the level of resistance the water provides. Life goes on, as grumpy as my post was, I'm thrilled to be able to get off the bank, and even do it in skinny water.
I agree. The cheap ones have their place if someone wants a lightweight boat to take out now and then, but a serious kayak angler should think about investing in a more purpose-built kayak.
I've come to that very conclusion. The lake I fish most often is very deep. Up to 200 feet in places. Even close to the shore it drops off quickly to 30 feet. Last thing I want to do is fall in.
My Costco inflatable dinghy boat can't challenge your kayak😢 beside I can't drill any holes or modify it , not even close as your toy...anyways it is lightweight and I can carry-on and pack it inside my SUV...
My kayak is stable but it sure is not lightweight, can't be brought along as a carry-on, and definitely doesn't fit inside my vehicle! Everything has its advantages, for sure.
Very true. If your center of gravity is high from standing, you can fall off much more easily. This video shows what's possible to do without flipping the kayak or getting dumped off.
Appreciate how you went out of your way to really test the stability. Great video man
Thanks. It is a very stable kayak - I was impressed.
You really just dunked your whole head in the water. Im sold both on the yak and your channel. Hell yeah.
Yeah, I should have seen how far I could go. Next summer...
Best video on the stability of this kayak. Great work!!!
Thanks. It's pretty crazy how stable it is.
Thanks for the video.
You're welcome!
You've convinced me that the Old Town is the way to go. Stability is my biggest concern because I'm 70 and I find I don't have the best balance anymore. I was hesitant to buy a kayak for that very reason. I found it amazing that you can stand on the very front and sides and still not have any issues. Not that I'm going to do that myself. Thanks for a great video.
Thanks. It is definitely an incredibly stable kayak.
Probably one of the best real stability tests I have seen and its very appreciated. These guys who jump on them and do backflips off a kayak to show stability do nothing for me to show real life stability. This video sealed the deal for me on finally ordering my sportmen 120
Thanks. I tried to represent things you would actually do when using the PDL 120 on a fishing trip.
This is by far the best video I’ve seen on any kayak. I’ve been debating selling my skiff and go with a kayak and my main concern was stability
Thanks. I appreciate the comment. The PDL 120 is amazingly stable. It is the 4th fishing kayak I've owned and I feel no need to buy anything else.
I have had 10+ kayaks from Hobie PA12 to Bonafide ss127 and the Sportsman 120 PDL is by far the most stable kayak I have ever been in
Same here. I've had seven and I was blown away by the Sportsman.
Man' Those are awesome tests you did there, thanks a lot for the video.
I'm glad it was helpful to you. Thanks for the feedback.
This is the best real life stability test I have every seen. That lean over test sold it for me. I just ordered my pdl 120 and this assures me I made the correct decision. Thankyou very much. I would have paid money to get this type of reassurance on its stability especially since its my first kayak.
Thanks for the comment. The 120PDL is a fantastic kayak.
I subscribed your channel for many reasons, this show is one of those, any how: anglers be aware boat, dingy or kayaking- it always poses some (unexpected?) problems or misadventures ☝what you seeing now ,it is never too late to implement it / fishing with Nat you're gaining a very real knowledge 👍
It's good to prepare for the unexpected. Flipping a kayak can cause a real panic, or it can be merely an inconvenience if the person has done it before to prepare.
Thankyou for the video helping people
Thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
Love my PDL 120! It did flip only once, but it was my 85lb lab that slipped while I was leaning over to release a bass. If she had just fallen in it would have still been ok but her chest hit the edge of the kayak and that did us in.
I can definitely see it flipping with a combination of you leaning over plus an 85lb dog pushing on the edge. It is an amazing kayak though!
I'm looking up several videos about the stability about these kayak's because I want to go on rivers and on ocean with me dog , I'm not a experienced fisher but I am interested in the future , therefore thank you for your video so I know what I can expect .
My dog is about 65lbs and he rides well in the back of the PDL120. The nicest part is that he is confined back there and can't walk around to the front to get in the way. I put some foam sheets back there or a piece of old carpeting and he loves it.
@@FishingwithNat Thanks for your info 🙂
This video helps a lot me and my wife order 2 of these you answered a lot of our question
Great, glad it was helpful.
Subscribed. The best stability test I’ve ever seen.
Thanks - glad to have you here!
I'm getting the 106, but this pretty much tells me it's about the same. Can't wait for spring
I would think the 106 would be pretty similar. The lighter weight will put your center of gravity a bit higher than it would be in the 120 so the stability might be a little bit less.
I have this exact kayak in the ember camo. It is a GREAT boat and very stable but I learned a valuable lesson peddling it back to the dock in some chop. DO NOT be in white caps on a lake without the paddle in your lap ready to deploy should a side-oriented wave catch you by surprise! I went for a swim not following this advice. I'd made it through some nasty chop on the lake and was 150 yards from the dock when a wave hit me from a side-and-behind angle. The boat did not capsize and I didn't even lose my lunch sack on the deck but I went over! If I would have had my paddle in my lap, I could have caught myself and all would have been fine!
I've had a few of those big waves hit me from a backward angle. The way those waves shove you and then pull you back can make it pretty tricky to get around (and stay on your boat)!
Cool approach to reviews. Got a sub
Thanks Jon. A review of a fishing kayak must include all the things you might need to do in a fishing kayak. :)
wow helped me alot of picking kayak
Thanks. Good luck!
Great video regarding the stability of the Old Town Sportsman. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting for my Sportsman 106 PDL to arrive. Quick question…overall, how do like the OT PDL ?? ..🤔
I love it. I have yet to find anything I don't like about it, other than the weight. I fished for 17yrs out of kayaks that weighed under 50lbs and they could easily be tossed on the shoulder and carried wherever. The PDL 120 requires a cart or a boat landing. But the many benefits outweigh that one complaint.
Dude I would flip just by thinking about standing in my current kayak… I know what I’m upgrading to next season 😂 thanks
It's an awesome kayak. Heavy compared to my smaller yaks, but it's also much more stable and capable.
I really love this video demonstration and the information you provided! I also got a TON of anxiety thinking you were going to fall in!
Thanks - glad you enjoyed the video and found it informative!
I just bought the non pdl version as a first yak and I CANT WAIT TO GET ON THE WATER.
The regular Sportsman 120 is a great kayak. The PDL system is not necessary for everyone.
is it easy to add a trolling motor to the non pdl version? I'm bought to get 1 myself
@@MYNAMEISNUMBER2 I'm not certain on that but I believe there is an aftermarket plate for the front of the Sportsman 120 to attach a trolling motor to.
My sons and I have 3 of those and we installed trolling motor on them. Very stable kayak
@@josenarvaez5338 I will be doing the same for next season.
Great job on video. One of the best
Thanks. It's an amazingly stable kayak.
Is it easy to add a trolling motor tonthe non pdl version im bout to buy a 120 non pdl this week,your video just sold me , i was going between this and the vibe YF120 OR the VIBE SG110 OR this
I'm not certain on that but I believe there is an aftermarket plate for the front of the Sportsman 120 to attach a trolling motor to.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for your support! It is very much appreciated.
Thanks for getting wet for Us !
Wisconsin water isn't always frozen ?
No, there's a week where it isn't.
My Old Town Sportsman 119 is being delivered Tuesday! I had to go with lighter weight. Glad I invested in OT.
Cool. The 119 is a nice looking canoe.
Now that's a stability test LOL. Hats off sir.
Thanks - glad you enjoyed it!
The Old Town Sportsman Kayaks really are the MOST stable fishing kayak...PERIOD!
They are very stable. I've been quite impressed with what I can get away with while using it.
Thanks for the great review. What pdl would you recommend I’m stuck between salty pdl and sportman 120 pdl?
The Salty 120 PDL is going to be a little faster, but the Sportsman 120 PDL will be a little more stable. Go with whichever one would be more appropriate for your typical day of fishing.
Wow .Awesome review .Thank yo7 very much
Thanks. I hope it was helpful to you.
Looking at getting a 120 PDL for the spring. Good video, but would;ve liked to see the stability while reaching outwards (vs straight down), as you may do in the heat of the moment trying to land a fish, or maybe retrieve a lure from a snag. Alos, wouldn't the PDL drive also add a bit of stability, as it acts like a sailboat keel, adding additional 'bracing' to prevent rolling of the boat?
Hi Lee, thanks. I show how far you can lean outwards at about 1:38 in the video. I can lean so far that my body just falls off of the seat. This happens well before the boat shows any sign of rolling over. I think you're right - the PDL drive itself probably would add an extra bit of resistance to rolling because of the keel effect pushing against the water as the boat rocks. For that matter, the drive would also lower the center of gravity just a bit too, but I'm not sure that either of these effects would provide a noticeable difference.
@@FishingwithNat Thanks! I don't know how I missed that, but exactly what I wanted to see! I'm about to pull the trigger, but need to clean out the garage a bit to make room first! Happy paddling (pedaling?)!
@@lmychajluk I still say I'm going out paddling! The PDL 120 is a fantastic kayak - you'll love it.
Enjoy your new $2500 price tag for this model. Ask me how I know?
Thats all in with taxes, but still.
@@riverpirate1022 The stability alone makes the price seem worthwhile and the overall quality appears better than most other kayaks I've researched. I'm all ears if you know of a better and cheaper one since I don't like to spend money unecessarily. I'm not buying until Spring 2024 anyway.
That is very impressive. You get what you pay for.. I bought a Pelican Sentinel 100xr Angler as my first Yak.. I wish I had waited and bought a better one. Big regrets!
I spent 16 years fishing from a 9.5' Old Town Otter before moving up to a few others and finally the PDL. You can catch a lot of fish in any of them, but I agree that the Sportsman PDL is an amazing kayak in terms of stability and a lot of other things!
I have a Topwater PDL 105 and I flipped it just leaning over to adjust a tangle. I didn't reach out very far and it shocked me that I went in that easily. I weigh over 200 lbs and I don't know if that had an impact. I just reached back to my left, turning my body so that my right arm was adjusting a tangled line and over I went and the boat too.
I think it was due to you reaching to your left side with your right arm. That would cause your whole upper body to lean somewhat over the side of the boat and shift your center of gravity a lot more than reaching out with one arm. But I'm surprised the boat flipped too and didn't just dump you off the side while remaining upright. I guess the important thing to ask is - did you get the tangle out? :)
@@FishingwithNat I never got the chance ... lost 3 rods in the process!
@@truegrich Ah, crap.That's a bummer.
@@truegrich leash everything ..period.
Thanks for the review! I am looking to purchase that kayak. Quick question,… what pants do you wear? Looking for a good recommendation for lightweight pants to wear while I’m kayaking.
My preferred ones are the World Wide Sportsman Tech Pants from Bass Pro Shops. Very light and quick drying. It looks like they are on sale now too.
@@FishingwithNat Thank you! 👍🏼
Holy crap that is incredible.
It is. I love it.
Man that is great aas I just got one for my wife Christmas gift and I want one for me as well
Wow, that's a heck of a Christmas gift! Hopefully she'll let you try it out too.
Great video Nat.
Thanks
@@FishingwithNat hope you don't mind. I posted your video on my FB page.
@@timeonthewaterca Not at all - feel free to share links to any of my videos. I'm glad they are helpful!
Wow dude, you have incredible balance. I'd never try and stand up in my Big water.
Not even in the center of the cockpit? I would think a Bigwater would be plenty stable for standing.
@@FishingwithNat It might be stable, but I'm not.
Where are you from? Im in nw Indiana, never thought I would see a kayak in lake Michigan. Crazy lol
Central Wisconsin but I head east to Lake Michigan every fall for the salmon run. I might go over in a couple weeks for some nearshore browns too. I caught my first Lake Michigan salmon in a 9.5ft Old Town Otter. Compared to that, the PDL is a barge. There are actually several kayak-only salmon tournaments on Lake Michigan every year!
Hopefully not being rude, but how tall and heavy are you? Would this be a good choice for a 250 pound 6’4 man?
It's plenty stable for a 250 / 6'4" man. I'm only 160 / 5'10" but I have let friends use the PDL that are much taller and/or heavier and they have loved it.
Cuz of his long legs i thought he is atleast 6'3. I am 6'3 also 250 pounds+, and i can already us flipping like ninjas hahahaha. My friend, buy a boat, be a normal person, nothing wrong with it, chicks dig it too
How can I get that center piece were my pdl goes!! Old town 120dpl!! I really want it for my kayak!!
I got mine online from Navarre Kayak Fishing. I think a couple of other vendors make them too.
Where did you get the insert plate from? I’d love one to be able to use my kayak for recreation too.
From Navarre Kayak Fishing. I think there are other places to get similar products, but this is where I got mine. navarrekayakfishing.com/shop/old-town-drive-inserts/
Nice job w/ the video 👍
Thanks
Are the new old Town kayak model any good
I have been very impressed with my Old Town Sportsman PDL. I've had several other Old Town kayaks over the last 20 years and they have all been rock solid. I've also had two Perception models and those were solid too. I think any of the big brands provide great kayaks. I would just be careful with very thin, cheap kayaks like Pelicans. They are very lightweight and they work fine for many people, but they won't stand up to abuse like the thicker-hulled brands like Old Town, Perception, Hobie, Native, etc.
Nice vid 👍😎
Thanks - I appreciate the feedback
What transducer did you have mounted in that clip. Great video man..thanks
Thanks. I have the Humminbird Helix7 with the sonar/sidescan transducer.
@FishingwithNat I just got an oldtown sportsman kayak..have never used a transducer ever. Feel a but overwhelmed with everything including set up. But going to jump into the game. Thank God for youtube
@@gtaylor9218 I have a video on setting up the Sportsman with a Helix 7 including mounting the transducer (if you decide to install a sonar system) ua-cam.com/video/WLYkFUHSJuA/v-deo.html
Great video! Have you been on an old town big water 132? If you have how do they compare to this model here?
I've pedaled alongside them but never been in one. I would expect the stability to be a little bit better than the Sportsman 120 because it's heavier (lower center of gravity).
I think they are the same weight even though it’s a foot longer. My fishing bud had one and it’s a beast and extremely stable.
@@politicalmechanic9501 Thanks for chiming in!
Is the stability the same on the paddle only version?
I haven't used the non-PDL version, but there is a difference in weight and width. The PDL120 is 36" wide and about 97lbs without the PDL drive in, and the Sportsman 120 is 33.5" wide and 85lbs. A wider, heavier hull will add more stability, so the non-PDL is probably less stable. Still, I've heard that it's a very stable boat.
bro dunks his head in the water, i hit the thumbs up button. it's good info on the stability of the kayak. and you never know when you'll need to bite the fish back.
You could put on a snorkel mask and take a look around! 😄
i am 265 pounds and i would love go fishing in bays in spring and summer for fluke, this would be great for what i looking for, right?
You will want a large, heavy kayak like the PDL120, Bigwater 132, or a Hobie ProAngler 12 or ProAngler 14. The heavier your body is, the heavier you need the kayak to be to keep your center of gravity low and keep stability as good as possible. You can also look into kayak outriggers to attach to whatever kayak you end up buying, which greatly increase stability.
does it have a wheel, extremely convenient
No, but it goes on a wheeled cart quickly for an easy trip down a trail or across a parking lot
Where did you get the cover for the old hole?
navarrekayakfishing.com/store/
what rod mounts do you have for the sides
I use the YakAttack Omega Pro holders. Highly recommended. I talk about them in our PDL Fishing Modification video ua-cam.com/video/gX9YPkLc_Ec/v-deo.html
@@FishingwithNat thanks man this made it a lot easier
@@janzenlongino1348 Glad I could help.
Can u do that in the swells ?
I've been out in 4ft swells, but no, I don't stand up or walk back and forth. :)
Would be cool to see you attempt to tip it upside down so we could see how hard it is to get it upright.. in deep water
I plan to make a video on exactly that once the water warms up this year. Flipping it in deep water and showing what it takes to flip it back over. It's not easy with heavy fishing kayaks but it can be done.
Great sterile testing.
Your skinny with almost no mass above your hips.
Now do real world testing.
250lb fisherman (top heavy)
Winter dressed with coat, plus wading boots, waders, and life jacket.
2.5" seat risers.
Pedal drive.
Rod holder.
9" Fish finder and 18AH battery.
Maybe even trolling motor and 100AH battery.
Rear crate with 20lb tackle bag.
3 or 4 fishing poles.
2-3 small Frozen bottles or water, and/or small cooler.
Bag of snacks.
Rope, anchor........
My new 120 pdl is very heavy fully loaded, very, no, somewhat unstable/tippy if I even lean over a little bit, and it sits low in the water but not to low, yet.
The pedal drive is stiff, and it takes a LOT of effort to pedal 1 mile.
I am going to look into adding a trolling motor cause screw that much pedaling lol.
I almost wish I had bought the 120 Autopilot now, but that thing is even more overpriced than my 120 pdl which was ridiculously expensive for some plastic and a bicycle crank.
Regardless, having a kayak to access water I could not wade fish or bank fish is amazing and I am SO glad I got one!
Just wish everything was lighter (Including me!), and that prices were reasonable instead of insane.
I could have bought a small jon boat kitted out for the price of my Oldtown 120 pdl.
So, if you didn't want to pedal, and thought an aluminum Jon boat was so much more economical, why didn't you just buy a Jon boat?
Prices are what they are. Everyone weighs costs vs. benefits differently and has different criteria, so everything is a compromise. Otherwise we'd all be watching the same TV, driving the same vehicle, living in identical boxes, and floating around in the same boat. You could've bought a cheaper/lighter/faster/more stable kayak, but there'd be some compromise and you'd still be saying "I wish...". Yes, we all wish the Sportsman PDL 120 was cheaper, but what have you ever bought that you can't say the same about, yet still bought? For me, I thought hard about a Hobie Outback or PA, and looked at other brand / models as well, but in the end, the 120 PDL seemed to be the best compromise in price, layout, weight, comfort, stability, and durability for me. You must've gone through a similar thought process, weighing the pros and cons, before making a decision, and you still picked the 120 PDL, right?
Also, the Sportsman seem to be one of the more stable kayaks currently being offered, but taking any boat and loading it up to near its weight rating, then increasing the center of gravity by raising the seating position, is going to cause problems (again, compromise - comfort vs stability in this case). Maybe you can rearrange your heavier items to sit lower in the hull, or maybe you don't need 20# of tackle, can get a lighter battery, and leave the snacks behind (double bonus!)? Maybe suck it up and pedal for a while - you may find pedaling getting easier and may even lose a few pounds (that's my hope as well!). But, adding another battery and trolling motor is NOT going to help with your stability issues, and if you can't compromise on the weight you're bringing with you, maybe the Sportsman wasn't the right choice for your style of boating/fishing? A non-PDL Sportsman or Bigwater may give you an extra 30-50# of usable cargo weight, and won't have that PDL drive that you don't seem to like. Or, some of the Hobies have higher weight ratings than the Sportsman, but they're going to cost more, and are still pedal drives. If you want to stick w/ the 120 PDL, and you're within the weight limit of the kayak so you stay safe, maybe you want to look at outriggers to add the stability you're looking for?
Fishermen come in all sizes - I can't argue that. I talk about how accessories and their placement can impact your kayak's stability and balance in our Re-entering a Fishing Kayak video ua-cam.com/video/XxQIKV9DnfA/v-deo.html . Regardless of an angler's body weight, they still have a lot of control over the stability of the boat as they add extra features/weight into the boat. Keep weight as close to the center line as possible, and as low as possible. I've seen people that mount lead-acid batteries up on their side geartrack. I hope they aren't surprised when their boat always wants to flip to that side!
@@FishingwithNat Very good advice and nice response. Wow putting an SLA battery on the rail, crazy stuff unless it's for some kind of counter balance, but still. I will look for your other video.
@@lmychajluk Your right, I went through the process and this kayak made the most sense. I suppose I will try to look at it more like the cheaper version as the hobbies are much more costly.
Part of it is me getting used to it, and yes lots of gear makes it worse. The seat height increase is a game changer in comfort for many of us, but yes at a cost.
Peddling sucks and yes, I need to do a lot more of it lol. I was not able to test out a pdl kayak before buying one but am no stranger to bicycles. I just wasn't prepared for the level of resistance the water provides.
Life goes on, as grumpy as my post was, I'm thrilled to be able to get off the bank, and even do it in skinny water.
Standing on the bow is about as stable as my Ascend 128x… don’t buy cheap, especially when it comes to water craft.
I agree. The cheap ones have their place if someone wants a lightweight boat to take out now and then, but a serious kayak angler should think about investing in a more purpose-built kayak.
I've come to that very conclusion. The lake I fish most often is very deep. Up to 200 feet in places. Even close to the shore it drops off quickly to 30 feet. Last thing I want to do is fall in.
Damn
It is pretty amazing.
My Costco inflatable dinghy boat can't challenge your kayak😢 beside I can't drill any holes or modify it , not even close as your toy...anyways it is lightweight and I can carry-on and pack it inside my SUV...
My kayak is stable but it sure is not lightweight, can't be brought along as a carry-on, and definitely doesn't fit inside my vehicle! Everything has its advantages, for sure.
i think its because you weigh so little... ask a friend that weighs 220+
A heavier person probably couldn't stand on the side rail but would still be able to walk around the kayak and front to back.
That looks like you're only in 2 feet of water, so it probably will not flip.
It was in about 3.5 feet of water. More than enough to allow it to flip.
@@FishingwithNat oh okay, thank you very much. Then that is awesome
Unflippable my azz...if you stand and lean over you will fall no matter what..i own a o.t.106 pdl..stable if you dont lean
Very true. If your center of gravity is high from standing, you can fall off much more easily. This video shows what's possible to do without flipping the kayak or getting dumped off.
Probable could castnet off that thing with no problemo
You probably could. Cast nets aren't legal here so I haven't tried it myself.
If your lure is 12 feet up in a tree , you need casting instructions.
True. Although everyone makes a mistake once in a while, or sometimes you are trying to get someone else's lure down.
sorry to see you get wet, but really thanks for your demo.
yes, safety is my biggest concern before to buy kayak.
Glad it was helpful. I had to keep pushing it until I got wet!