I love my pdl and I would buy this drive to put into mine in a heartbeat if they sold it separately. It's BS that they don't offer just the drive for sale. They would sell a ton of them. My dedication with Old Town may be short lived going forward unfortunately. My first impressions review on my pdl has thousands of views on my channel. It doesn't change my opinion of the kayak but it does change my opinion on the way they are offering this kayak/doing business. Its the same kayak with a motor that should be offered as a side option. So many people are going to be disappointed and so many are not going to make the switch for the extra $$$$$. Come on Old Town.
I think many folks are misunderstanding that move. Once you take a look at this kayak internally, there’s just no way to implement all its safety factors without risking a lot of liability. There are safety standards that must be met. I hope you give it a try. I have a Bigwater 132 also so I feel you, but after looking at it…there’s just no way.
@@NextLevelFishingTV BS, anybody can rig whatever they want on any kayak, when it comes to a motor. OT just need to sell the ePDL for exclusive use on their ePDL kayak/state that in the legal blurb, problem solved. If you had a predator/Bigwater and purchased ePDL kayak, of borrowed the drive off someone, what would be stopping you from switching back and forth?
Great video.I been looking at this kayak and also the 136 auto polit did oldtown ever fix the Noise or grinding that the motor did make on the epdl. And Would love to see u do a video with both kayaks and give your pros and cons
My experience with the lithium battery for trolling motor on my boat is that they are far 17:38 superior to traditional battery set up. As far as power to me the trolling motor indicator shows full power or dead, strange to me. However it took three days of fishing all day and heavy use on trolling motor to run it down
That is good to know that it wasn't just my minn kota reading it like that. The battery has a display that shows level but I have to get up in console to look at it.
Just subscribed and hit the bell notification. I have not purchased any fishing kayak but just retired and trying to do my research first. I really want a kayak to fish in the ocean. Most of my fishing will probably be in sight of the shore but would also like one that can handle deep water fishing on a calm day. The Old Town Bigwater in this review sure looked very stable. Any suggestions or thoughts from the community?
Weght could be a consideration. This is 40 lbs heavier than my hobie outback. Not deal breaker. Old Town uses thicker plastic overall. Am 67,already have an outback, so prob not going to need to replace it but would have bought this istead if it was available 2 years ago. Considering I added a Texas Power Paddle system, cost would been comparable.
Not sure lol. I have bigger followings on my others platforms. I probably don’t create enough consistent videos to get the algorithm going is my guess??
i used the kayak and i was blown away by how sharp the steering was and stability , but the drive is real slow , old town toke a step backwards on this . they have the spot lock for 4900 and this one at 6000. the battery will not last over 6 hours . this is not a new system it was already made by vibe or feel free and did not do well . over all i like the kayak but the price point is steep
Cruise Control Mode 1: 46 hours* Cruise Control Mode 3: 23 hours* Cruise Control Mode 5: 3 hours* 5+ mph is competing with all 1.8 HP motors in the industry which isn't exactly slow. The only other kayak specific motors capable of going faster are the 3HP. The "concept" isn't new, but this specific technology is. What feel free had, was a completely different operation. Price point is high but its definitely in line with what premium kayak anglers are already paying. The other fact that most over look is 95% of kayak anglers most likely won't be paying the 5,999.99 price tag. Most will sell a 2-3k kayak value and only end up paying in the 3K range.
How many volts you have remaining is a very inaccurate metric for consumption. It should be measured in amp hours. Voltage will remain pretty constant until it's dead. Lithium batteries are different than lead acid.
It’s loud going fast. Have to demo to see how stealthy it is at slower speeds. Awesome design, but worthless if you spook all the fish. $6000 is crazy. Seriously how many boats could you sale if you would lower the price. Sale far more boats and huge numbers of loyal customers. A proprietary battery system now too, lol. Competition is coming!
No legitimate angler is going to approach fish full steam ahead much less while using a motor. The average avid kayak angler will probably turn over a 2K-3K kayak to reinvest in a 3-4K kayak. You’d be surprised how many are already being reserved.
OT weakness has always been their business strategy people, they are the weakest link in the OT chain. If you're a Kayak maker, you want what any boat maker wants long term, a strong/loyal customer base. How do you get this? you get it by building excellent innovative and stable boats and putting the customer first, when it comes to safety/performance, and excellent accessibility to upgrades/new technologies. OT should make ePDL drives available to suitable hulls. Sell far more units, get the price competitive. But woke business thinking is whats holding the company back, badly thought out liability exposure and a tendency to go for too limited risk, on production expenditure. Now the options are gone away, because the macro economic situation is going to govern the future for all kayak makers over the next two decades. Only time will tell who's going to survive.
The continuous auditory drone noise leave me questioning the silence of the ePDL system under fishing conditions. Thanks for the informative, but the sound mic & long distance dialogue exchange on kayaks does nothing to convince a serious, discerning fisherman that this is worth the expenditure.
Liking the innovation Old Town is putting out. Solid review Chris!
Thanks man, hope you are doing well. We need to get on the water again soon!
nice vic, check out the fish jumping out of the water at 5:18 lol
Great review! Very in depth and informative.
Thanks, I hope we answered some questions!
@NextLevelFishingTV Definitely! I own a Hobie but I keep my options open. Oh, and Go Stros! 🤘🏼
@@agmz210 looks like the road to the World Series goes through Texas lol
Great review
I love my pdl and I would buy this drive to put into mine in a heartbeat if they sold it separately. It's BS that they don't offer just the drive for sale. They would sell a ton of them. My dedication with Old Town may be short lived going forward unfortunately. My first impressions review on my pdl has thousands of views on my channel. It doesn't change my opinion of the kayak but it does change my opinion on the way they are offering this kayak/doing business. Its the same kayak with a motor that should be offered as a side option. So many people are going to be disappointed and so many are not going to make the switch for the extra $$$$$. Come on Old Town.
I think many folks are misunderstanding that move. Once you take a look at this kayak internally, there’s just no way to implement all its safety factors without risking a lot of liability.
There are safety standards that must be met. I hope you give it a try. I have a Bigwater 132 also so I feel you, but after looking at it…there’s just no way.
@@NextLevelFishingTV BS, anybody can rig whatever they want on any kayak, when it comes to a motor. OT just need to sell the ePDL for exclusive use on their ePDL kayak/state that in the legal blurb, problem solved. If you had a predator/Bigwater and purchased ePDL kayak, of borrowed the drive off someone, what would be stopping you from switching back and forth?
OT: here you go… drill your own holes to retrofit? 😂
The new drive doesn't fit in the other old town kayak
Great video.I been looking at this kayak and also the 136 auto polit did oldtown ever fix the Noise or grinding that the motor did make on the epdl. And Would love to see u do a video with both kayaks and give your pros and cons
😮nice
My experience with the lithium battery for trolling motor on my boat is that they are far 17:38 superior to traditional battery set up. As far as power to me the trolling motor indicator shows full power or dead, strange to me. However it took three days of fishing all day and heavy use on trolling motor to run it down
We experienced the same thing with the Autopilot kayak from Old Town. This particular kayak will read lithium accurately which is awesome!!
That is good to know that it wasn't just my minn kota reading it like that. The battery has a display that shows level but I have to get up in console to look at it.
Very nice. Awesome review.. Offshore review coming soon?
When I get the opportunity absolutely. I think this kayak is going to shine offshore!
Just subscribed and hit the bell notification. I have not purchased any fishing kayak but just retired and trying to do my research first. I really want a kayak to fish in the ocean. Most of my fishing will probably be in sight of the shore but would also like one that can handle deep water fishing on a calm day. The Old Town Bigwater in this review sure looked very stable.
Any suggestions or thoughts from the community?
Weght could be a consideration. This is 40 lbs heavier than my hobie outback. Not deal breaker. Old Town uses thicker plastic overall. Am 67,already have an outback, so prob not going to need to replace it but would have bought this istead if it was available 2 years ago. Considering I added a Texas Power Paddle system, cost would been comparable.
Transport weight is much lighter, it’s only 10-13lbs difference. You may be looking at the assembled weight.
What kind of yellow shoes are those ???
Can someone confirm that this new version of the Old Town Sportsman does not have spotlock? For years I've been told spotlock was a game changer.
This version does not. Only the Sportsman “Autopilot” has spot-lock. Anything ePDL is simply propulsion assist much like an e-bike.
How in the world do you only have 13k subs?!?!?!?!
Not sure lol. I have bigger followings on my others platforms. I probably don’t create enough consistent videos to get the algorithm going is my guess??
Can you put the E-pdl on one that had a normal PDL drive?
No you can’t. The wiring, and magnetic safety switches would pose a problem, plus I’m sure the molding might be slightly different.
i used the kayak and i was blown away by how sharp the steering was and stability , but the drive is real slow , old town toke a step backwards on this . they have the spot lock for 4900 and this one at 6000. the battery will not last over 6 hours . this is not a new system it was already made by vibe or feel free and did not do well . over all i like the kayak but the price point is steep
Cruise Control Mode 1: 46 hours*
Cruise Control Mode 3: 23 hours*
Cruise Control Mode 5: 3 hours*
5+ mph is competing with all 1.8 HP motors in the industry which isn't exactly slow. The only other kayak specific motors capable of going faster are the 3HP.
The "concept" isn't new, but this specific technology is. What feel free had, was a completely different operation.
Price point is high but its definitely in line with what premium kayak anglers are already paying. The other fact that most over look is 95% of kayak anglers most likely won't be paying the 5,999.99 price tag. Most will sell a 2-3k kayak value and only end up paying in the 3K range.
Was it just me or did anybody else find the wind noise so bad they couldn’t hear what was being said?
How many volts you have remaining is a very inaccurate metric for consumption. It should be measured in amp hours. Voltage will remain pretty constant until it's dead. Lithium batteries are different than lead acid.
I hate to be mean, but this is not an ultimate review. It's just 2 guys talking too much with each other.
You can be as mean as you want, I don’t bite.
It’s loud going fast. Have to demo to see how stealthy it is at slower speeds. Awesome design, but worthless if you spook all the fish. $6000 is crazy. Seriously how many boats could you sale if you would lower the price. Sale far more boats and huge numbers of loyal customers. A proprietary battery system now too, lol. Competition is coming!
No legitimate angler is going to approach fish full steam ahead much less while using a motor.
The average avid kayak angler will probably turn over a 2K-3K kayak to reinvest in a 3-4K kayak. You’d be surprised how many are already being reserved.
OT weakness has always been their business strategy people, they are the weakest link in the OT chain. If you're a Kayak maker, you want what any boat maker wants long term, a strong/loyal customer base. How do you get this? you get it by building excellent innovative and stable boats and putting the customer first, when it comes to safety/performance, and excellent accessibility to upgrades/new technologies. OT should make ePDL drives available to suitable hulls. Sell far more units, get the price competitive. But woke business thinking is whats holding the company back, badly thought out liability exposure and a tendency to go for too limited risk, on production expenditure. Now the options are gone away, because the macro economic situation is going to govern the future for all kayak makers over the next two decades. Only time will tell who's going to survive.
lol not even faster than the Hobie
The continuous auditory drone noise leave me questioning the silence of the ePDL system under fishing conditions. Thanks for the informative, but the sound mic & long distance dialogue exchange on kayaks does nothing to convince a serious, discerning fisherman that this is worth the expenditure.
The point wasn't to convince anyone. Just got my hands on it and decided to open the conversation with no prejudiced.