I've had the same kayak for two years with more use in freshwater than you but I do take the time to wash, rinse, clean and grease, and its amazing how much more pristine mine looks. Demonstrates just how critical maintenance is.
From day one I never baby the kayaks that are given to the channel. I fish them hard and show what they’re capable of handling. The viewers can take comfort in knowing that my kayak wasn’t shown much love. It took a beating and still kept me on the fish. And after years of neglect it’s still fully functional. They can go into a purchase knowing that what they’re about to buy was either built to last or not. I agree wholeheartedly, a little preventive maintenance will keep this kayak pristine for years.
@@MDLRFishing Really appreciate the job, as a person who spent years thinking about buying one, this is exactly the video and opinion that will allow me to make the right decision.
@@MDLRFishing I'm much more interested in seeing what these kayaks can take under extreme use. Taking great care and using them a lot less won't show me what they can take only what proper maintenance can do. I know that already.
In basic training in the military, one of the trainees said to the drill sergeant, "Why do we have to clean our gun every time, we're only going to shoot it again tomorrow." The drill sgt. replied, "You wipe your butt don't you?" Considering how much you use it and comparing that to the average fisherman, I would say that Kayak is phenomenal. You really should at least rinse it down when you get home, if you're fishing in salt water. Enough of grandpa telling you what to do. That was and excellent, informative and honest video that is greatly appreciated. Great job.
I own a 136 and have never regretted my purchase. It is a beast and gets me out on the water with relative ease. It is a life changer in my opinion. I am 54 and still have no real issue launching and loading out of my pickup. Once on the water is where the magic begins. Changing setups when moving spots while foot steering is an incredible benefit. Spot Lock is such an incredible feature. Cannot say enough about this platform.
Thanks for another great video! Your videos are one of the reasons I purchased my AP 120 a little over a year ago as my retirement present. I am running a 100ah Battle Born battery with Garmin Live Scope set up and in my opinion the combination is the ultimate as far as a kayak set up. So far I have had zero issues with my AP 120 and find the stability second to none so I always feel safe while fishing alone (I only fish fresh water) and the 100ah is additional piece of mind to get you through the day. I was already using a kayak trailer so the additional weight of the AP 120 over my previous pedal kayak did not change anything as far as convenience. I have zero regrets in spending the money for the AP 120, stability, spot lock, comfort, usable space and reliability are key to a good days fishing.
I would absolutely love to have one...but with that being said, between the kayak, battery, fish finder..id be just as well off buying a small bass boat. at least my whole family could enjoy it vs just me with the kayak. Great video.
Just the amount of time to set up and take down discourages me from owning one. I like to walk around on my deck of my bass boat. I can drop it in the water and take it out and park it.... done. I like that kayaks can go in really shallow water but my boat I can go anywhere they can't go on a river. Up ... down ... in a flash. I drop my boat in 9.9 lakes all the time and just use the trolling motor. It's slow but I can bring my lunch, friends, and have a livewell that i can take an end of day photo of our trophy catch(es)! Thanks for the great assessment and reflection.
I would say for the amount of money invested in some of these kayaks that, yes you could buy a small bass boat but at the same time with a kayak you don’t have to put gas in it to go fishing and you don’t have to spend money on maintenance of the engine either. There are advantages and disadvantages of both.
Yeah and no buying a small new bass boat (trust me you do not want to buy a used one) and fitting it with the same or equal gear you would still be out more than 10k most yaks cam fit on a truck bed but you need to buy a trailer for a bass boat.
@@freshlysaltedfishing8500 It's not fun loading a kayak in and out of a truck that weighs as much as the autopilot 120. It depends on what you are looking for, I have kids so the kayak was a dumb purchase. It's great for smaller lakes.
I've had the exact same autopilot for just over a year now and it's been through absolute hell. I wouldn't get rid of it for anything, it's my pride and joy
I'm at 3 years and I'm right with you Andrew. I don't baby mine, I only rinse itt occasionally, I do put die electic on all the connections and I do spray the shaft and prop pin with CRC Marine Corrosion spray. IT's fantastic. I just changed my prop again as I was topping out at 3.0 - 3.2. Will see if that makes a difference but not till Dec.
I own the old town 106 with the built in trolling motor. I paid 2500 for it and 400 for lithium battery. I love it, the best fishing platform I’ve ever used. I highly recommend either of them. I fish the coast of NC ever chance I get and I do clean it from time to time. No issues with wiring or any malfunctions what so ever in 2 years. Might need new prop, dang oyster beds. Fish on gentleman !!!!!
Thanks for the thorough, honest review. The price tag is definitely a sticker shocker at first. But as someone who owns a budget pdl (which I do like though), I can see how the thoughtfully engineered benefits of the old town is worth it. I don’t plan on buying a new yak anytime soon. But if I do, I think old town would get my money.
I've had mine for 18 months but I baby mine. Rinse after every use and spray all metal components with wd40. It still performs like new and I have to force myself to use my 20 ft boat and my other kaku kayak. I love it and don't regret buying it.
I own the 12' version of this Kayak- purchased Jan 2021 so I've had it through 1 year of use. I started kayak fishing in 2015 & used 2 different kayaks before- so I paddled, then peddled, now trolling. Yes. I would buy it again without blinking. It's comfortable, stable, and really hands free. The pros are many. I have 2 cons with this boat: 1. It's expensive initially (although after purchasing I haven't had to spend a dollar for maintenance or repair.) #2 It's HEAVY. I have to use a trailer to a boat ramp to get it in the water. There's no lifting, carrying, or even carting this beast. It's just a compromise I've accepted. On the occasion that I want to fish in back waters, or places that have no ramp nearby where I carry to bank or riprap, I use my wife's 60 pound kayak... Then I spend most of the time wishing I was in the autopilot instead, lol!
My goodness, I was born and raised in Texas. Salt + Texas sun will eventually ruin a 16 pound anvil! The fact it lasted a year without good post-use maintenance is pretty amazing. Wiring in $65,000 flats boats will go south in a hurry without maintenance on the Texas coast. I have a Sportsman 120 PDL, not the Autopilot version but again, I don't see how Hobie can charge more for a peddle kayak (the Hobie Pro Angler 12 @ MSRP $5299) than Old Town charges for the 12 foot autopilot version (MSRP $4000) is beyond me. It's a no brainer.
I enjoy your channel and, yes, I do own the exact same kayak. Your job is to take products to their extreme and that helps all of us. I have found cleaning the kayak thoroughly when I return from an outing. That eliminates the corrosion issue - even with the connector plugs. I pull my prop off and check for any damage to the pin. I grease it with axle grease so no need to hammer pin out of shaft. So, for those of us that fish 1 w-3 times a week, the Old Town performs extremely well. I also use ReBel Lithium battery for around $500. Bottom line ,great channel and seeing you use the Autopilot keeps me aware of what I need to do to for the kayak to perform better. Keep it up!
Thanks for the info, Ed, on how you maintain your kayak. These are serious kayaks that require a serious investment in money and time. If someone doesn’t want to do that, that’s their decision. I also have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160. It’s a great boat that requires little maintenance. Buy what works for you, your budget, your time, and your type of fishing. I appreciate the care you give to your kayak. My OT 136 should be delivered in a month. I can hardly wait.
Thanks for the review. I’ve been watching your channel for quite awhile now. As you said in your video, I’d agree that you don’t show much TLC for your kayak. My only hate about my AutoPilot 120 is the WEIGHT. Too heavy. I mean 150-200 lb. depending on your rig is just to heavy for a kayak.
The weight made it a no-go for me. I don't have a truck and a trailer isn't possible where I go so I have to cartop it on my Jeep. The 68lb Hobie Compass fit my needs much better.
@@czwest7845 yes. This is the new direction of the market. Hobie is leading the way in this. Its a cycle. I bet in the next 2 years every company will have an answer to Hobies lynx, compass, and passport.
Definitely agree, yes it's a beast on the water but Damm it's heavy, have to pass up alot of good fishing spots that require cart topping it to get it's bottoms wet! Plus havnt found any good carts that make it easy for that. I bought the Ctug and for the price it's completely garbage. On the hunt for a stable and reliable cart that can go into the scupper hole to prevent falling off or getting stuck due to the weight of this boat, but cant seem to find one that will fit . Other than that I love everything else about this boat!
Love my Hobie Outback, especially at 85lbs. A kayak at 152lbs is now just simply a small boat. Not car topping that beast or moving across a beach. Those grossly overweight “boats” limit your launch options drastically. My buddy has a Hobie Pro Angler 14 and will only go out if he has someone to help launch it if not at a boat ramp. How easy would it be to overturn a flipped over Sportsman Autopilot. They may be stable but they can capsize. Happened to me when I had a crack in my seat on my Ocean Kayak 4.3 Ultra on was on Lake Erie 1.5 miles out. Not to mention if your far off shore in big water and the motor fails your definitely not paddling that pig back in. I will say Johnson Outdoors kayaks stand behind there products and they sent me a new 2020 Trident 15 for a replacement. I guess it’s all situation dependent what body of water your taking it on. My outback doesn’t take on any water and is stable and fast in very sketchy conditions on Lake Erie. HOBIE 🤘🏻💪🏼!!
I really thought you were going to say you don’t clean it because you wanna see how it holds up when it isn’t taken care of, however you were completely truthful. Which is amazing to hear. This vid is old but i only now stumbled upon ur channel as I only recently got in kayaking.
I have the 136 AP, Dakota lithium 100 ah battery. I love mine. I use it twice a week in Oregon inlet. Hummingbird 1198c side scan sonar on a 18 ah Dakota lithium battery. Now, it's expensive yes, but you are not even coming close to that price with a Jon boat of the same quality. Just an engine alone that is halfway decent is gonna run ya 6 grand and the hull another 4 and here's the key thing. Noise, and the Jon boat can sink more easily. You also get a hell of a rough ride near inlets in a Jon boat because you have more speed and have to deal with the big waves from the charters. I catch all the same fish everyone else does in boats 10 to 20 times the cost of mine and more often than not I catch fish and they zero out riding around looking for fish. Now I can not go out the inlet and fish for tuna and dolphin but redfish and specs are fine eating fish to me. Sometimes cobia come in the inlet sound side. Anyhow, it's an amazing kayak and honestly, cheap for what you are getting. Comparably, you would be talking 15 k for a Jon boat, set up with spot lock and everything.
Personally the 120 and 136 were just to much for me! The 106 is the perfect price point and sweet spot, only downside is of course it’s not as big and also doesn’t have spot lock but honestly for the cons you avoid, the 106 is an absolute gem at its price point 🔥🔥 very maneuverable and just simpler. Great review sir!
Interesting information. I have mobility issues and can't sit low, so I got an 8 ft Pond Prowler and raised the seat of it's swivel for easier up and down. It goes through 6 to 8 inch water if there's no weeds or stumps. It handles about like a troller motor attached to an inner tube. Changing the troller direction is a constant thing. In a slight breeze I'm like a sail and the boat goes in a different direction every time the wind changes. Maybe the 10 ft model would beat the handling of the 8 ft length. I prefer fishing from the boat's front. It's stable enough for me to stand to fisn, but hard for me to navigate past the swivel the seat for access to access the back of the boat. It's easy to transport and launch and load onto my tiny trailer. Maybe, by adding rod brackets I could gear up for different fishing rods and poles during the same water time so I can change to fishing for different species if one isn't biting. To me the biggest con is that to get rain water out the water must be dipped or the boat tilted to pour water out OR drill the boat and add a typical drain plug. I'm not confortable drilling for that. IF I buy another boat it'll likely be a jon boat.
do u have a link or video of how you ran the motor straight to the battery and by passed those terrible plug ins? I have already broken a few of the prongs off of the male AC plug. Thanks
I think people get into kayaking either for the budget or the health (exercising), and once they grow out if it, they don't realize and do weird things to push the boundaries. Sportsman could be one example like that. Getting into kayaking and then spending a thousand plus dollars for a lithium battery to extend the range without adding weight is crazy. With five or six grans you can create a light weight skiff which would give you unlimited range, decent speed, and a ton more fishability than a kayak without necessarily sacrificing the shallow water capabilities.
No. I own a full size bass boat and several smaller boats and I can go places on my old town that none of them can go. It fits a function that only an owner can understand. Not to mention the portability. I can load it up in my ranger pickup and drive anywhere. It allows me to access electric only lakes also which is huge. Im not a kayaker. Im a fisherman. So a paddle kayak isn't gonna work for me. But these old town kayaks really are like a tiny bass boat.
Let me come at this at a different angle. I, too, have spent well over $2000 on my kayak.....perception outlaw 11.5 with motorguide xi3, Dakota lithium 12v 100ah, anchor wizard, Bluetooth yak power, garmin 9" fish finder....and more. I was an idiot in my earlier life and lost my license. Can't get it back for awhile. My wife cannot tow a boat, nor would I want to be on a boat that I couldn't dock and leave when needed. But, a kayak, we can take. Motor, battery are on quick connects, simple as getting yak off car, mount and plug motor, mount and plug battery, good to go👍🏻. Different strokes for different folks
@@christophershoe9642 How do you haul it? I'm only 130 lbs and I'm not sure I could roof rack a kayak myself. You're probably a strong young guy. I agree if you have other reasons for a kayak it totally makes sense, but from a pure financial sense it might not.
@Penguin1290 The perception 11.5 outlaw is very light for its size. Plus, since I need a driver, I also usually have some extra hands around 😉. Plus, even if everything fails, I'm still a kayak, and I'd rather be in a kayak with paddles, than a boat with paddles with the same issues. To each their own👍🏻
Yup. 120AP owner here and it definitely changed the kayak fishing world. I would’ve never dreamed of fishing king salmon out of a kayak let alone being as easy as it is with the trolling motor. Definitely worth the investment.
i have the old town sportsman 106 mk and i just love it. i made myself a crane with an electric winch to lift my kayak and swing it into my truck. the crane goes at the end of a bumper i also made. i'm 51yo ,so no more heavy lifting for me..:)
I have seen the old Town kayak like this one. A few guys on UA-cam use the old Town kayak like this one rave about the kayak and how it handles. I have seen this kayak used on the ocean and the UA-cam guys just love it because it handles so good and motor moves you around no more pedaling. The guys say this is the kayak to buy.
I bought my first kayak ever last summer, old town MK106, the autopilot was a bit out of my budget. Either way, this kayak is amazing, I’m ready to take it out on the Colorado waters again! Great video! 9:35
That's a great kayak I love your fishing shows keep up the great work 👍 yup me and the wife has a 14' Jon boat 15hp runs 20 mph with both of us and all the gear....
I think one of the positives of having to register my kayak is, if i fall out and my kayak gets away from me, the coast guard can look up my kayak number and know that I’m missing. I always registered my kayak # with my two way radio. So if i hit the distress button, they know it’s me and can try to locate me. Hopefully I’ll never need it but i feel it’s an additional safety feature. Thanks for the video. 👍🏽
Thanks for the review of the old town as always great detail on all your videos. I have to say kayaks are getting to heavy would like to see manufacturers come out with an ultralight sturdy pedal kayak that I can move around with ease in the 65lb to 75lb weight class but with the similar features but without a crazy price tag. For me it’s all about light weight and a kayak I can pick up and throw in the back of my truck an go without wasting to much time going and coming.
Thank you for your review. I am convinced this is a great product and want one! I fish small rivers close to me and like the hands free features. can I pedal in shallow waters with out breaking the pedals? In late summer the river often gets so shallow that I drag bottom on rocks. Lastly, I think I would like a class on how to use fish finders and just read in Bassmaster mag about forward facing technology. Is this available in this Kayak? How could I go about really learning to use that? Thanks in advance for your response. Joe McIntyre
The AP120 is my first Kayak. I am 60 years old and yes for me it's heavy for me to lift onto my truck bed, especially on inclined ramps. So I made a ramp with a small winch. Now I like it even more. Great Kayak.
I have the 136 auto pilot..yes about $6k+ once you get battery and fish finder, a cart, and support that connects to my tow hitch. I have had it for 2 years. I mainly troll with it. Pro: I'm 5"11, and 230ish lbs. I can stick another adult in the back and go fishing. Hands free, I can just troll and just do something else in the meanwhile. Most of the time I just take in the scene while the boat does its thing. Ease of control when its in the water. Either with your remote or your feet. Or both to turn on a dime. I can stand and its still supper stable, even with the kayak going full speed. Enough room in the back where my ten year old can just fall a sleep is a small lawn chair while I fish. Cons: Heavy!!! You will not launch this thing by yourself just anywhere you need a part of it in the water to help with the weight. It's way easier to launch without the battery and motor and install them after its in the water. 99% of the time I launch from boat ramps unless there's a location where my truck can be backed up to the edge of the water. You need a kart to move it around. If its centered on they kayak it not heavy. All in all I would still have bought it, knowing what I know now. I love the versatility that this kayak has. I can easily load the back of my truck and just go.
I got lucky bought mine it was used once from a UA-camr like yourself which got it free for promotion for $2,500 with no battery but did have a paddle. Then bought 100AH Dakota with charger close to $900. And bought a new Lowrance 7 reveal from a friend for $200. I have a Hobie PA12 as well which I can say is a lot easier to haul and unload etc.
The i-pilot motor with spot-lock is the heart of this boat. You could get a job boat but to add the same trolling motor you’re looking at about 2 grand plus for that motor.
I watched your video and change from ap 106 > ap120, I hv had it since June 21 and hv not gotten wet. From the past registration to finding a 4kayak trailer to haul it since to heavy to load on the top of suv. But this is the year to travel, learn, and play. What I didn't hear is any recommend of keel guard. I have made modifications but want to get wet soon. Now have to learn how to back up a trailer
MDLR Fishing-Straight talk with Mark! Could be a regular feature. Maybe once a month review tackle, rods and reels, kayaks, trolling motors etc. It's hard to find an honest and complete review like this. Your the best Mark keep it up.
Thanks, man! your videos are great, I watched you when you went to Panama the very first time! Great vids! I personally prefer Revo, nice and fast kayak without lots of drag and things to bring with you to the water. I now looking at Brooklyn kayakas, those are super cheap and light, wanna try one of those.
I’ve recently purchased the OT AP 120 in blue. I’ve only taken it out a 3 times so far so still new condition, I can see why you don’t wash it down every time it’s time consuming for sure. I installed the anchor wizard on mine for that just in case of emergency situation and hope to never have to use it. The one thing I don’t like is for the rivers I fish it need a motor with more thrust it doesn’t do well in a moderate to heavy current. Other than that I really enjoy the hands free fishing, tight lines
Very honest Mark. I believe the real biggest deal breaker is the battery price for those lithium’s. These are pretty darn good kayaks and we need more companies competing to bring the prices down. That plastic toughness you brought up with OldTown, Hobie need to listen here.
I have a Amped 60 ah deep cycle battery 12 v lifepo4 lithium battery that I use on my Kaku Zulu with 30 thrust trolling motor the problem I have had with it is one of the leads ran hot and melted next to the connection its says fully charged should get 8 hours I guess that's on minimum speed it with charger was $540
Definitely agree with your assessment even though I've not had the problems you faced because I'm in Michigan and my yak doesn't see salt water. I have the 136 and my top speed is about 3.7 mph on lead acid marine battery. The best thing is I got it on clearance at Cabela's because it had a few scrapes due to shipping but only paid 2500 out the door. Which is the price of a pdl model. I'm 240 lbs and this thing is super stable in the water. So I didn't get it free but I definitely didn't over pay for it. The only thing I'd like to do is go lithium. But like you said that's about a grand. But I still get 8 to 10 hours of use on a regular marine battery. Love your honest reviews but I stopped using my 18 ft bass boat because this thing is so easy to launch but in bad weather I do miss the gas motor in a storm to get back to shore quickly. Other than that I really love it.
Great review and spot on. The heavy part is the worst for me, my 106MK weighs over 100lbs. without the motor. That's why it's been sitting in my shack for a year and half collecting dust-lol
@@CrazyCranker 121 lbs with everything on. The motor alone is 17 lbs. No motor means 104 and minus the seat and battery box I calculated about 94lbs to carry only the hull. Yeah! I looked at the specs
This by far is the best purchase I’ve made in fishing gear as of yet. I have the 136 model and yes, it is a tank. But the actual hands free aspect of this kayak is what sets it above the rest. I bought one last year and got a full season on it. It is equipped with a 100ah lithium battery (highly recommended). Not once have I ran out of power. Even on a 2 day camping trip of using it all day. Not one issue with power. I’ve invested in deck, navigation and running board lights for night time, Along with a Garmin F.finder and a few other bells and whistles. If you can stomach the price, the investment will payoff in less work on the water, the ability to focus solely on fishing, and the stability is unbelievable. Even in choppy waters. Invest in a good trailer too. Did I mention this thing is a TANK? Also a major conversation piece when out on the water, lots of people are curious about it.
@@timmanis2000 I've decided to get an On the Waters Innovations custom trailer. But they can be super pricey. Well built and specific to your needs, but get ready to open that wallet up. The wait on these are on avg 3-4 months is what I was told. I fell in love with mines. Right now I have the 136 AP on a RightOn trailer. I rigged it out with PVC pipes covered in a ASTRO Turf wrap for bunks. I added some extras like retractable straps, a small winch for those steep extractions out of the water (that 136 AP is a TANK, loaded or not). This trailer is light and low enough yet sturdy for me. It serves the purpose for what I NEED, and gets me out there safe and fast.
Like the potential ability to use this for "offshore" bass fishing and not worry about positioning when casting on a spot. Major trouble with traditional kayaks.
Im still indecisive between this and a pa14 with a trolling motor. The hobbie will cost a bit more but if my motor goes out i have my pedals. It's a tough choice...
I purchased mine because of your video,I did some thing different, I used electronic grease on all my fittings and u washed it every time out..I have yet to have any problems what so ever .maybe you should take care of it.just saying.love you videos but how can you give a true testimony if you haven't been taking care of it?
I too also hate the fact that the vessel itself weighs a ton alone without the battery. I bought my kayak, and recently just purchased another battery. It is currently running on Lead acid battery. I just purchased a lithium battery. Unfortunately, when it comes to lithium batteries. There always going to expensive. I used race RC card so I am well aware. I think the advantage of having this kayak or a kayak is less maintenance in the long run. I do love my AutoPilot 120 also….I do not get it out there as much as I would like to. Good review of the product.
Nice review! Good thing about lithium batteries. The price is getting better. I just picked up two 100AH Chins batteries for 309.99 each on amazon. They sell 50AH also.
As Kayaks become more full featured and add traditional boat amenities to them, Im going the opposite route now. Im not a youtuber so my needs are different. I enjoy loading mine on my overland trailer and discovering new areas while also fishing our Tx coast. For this, lighter and simpler is better. The Hobie compass or even the Passport 12 is where Im moving towards.
I've been considering putting the new saltwater Xi3 on my Old Town Topwater120 (same as a sportsman). I would love to have the AP120 but can't afford to drop $4000 plus. I could add on the Xi3 with a mount and battery to my Topwater for less than half that and then have the spotlock too. This is still a hefty cost for an poor 'ol man like me, but much more achievable.
I had one..it is too expensive, I traded mine for a triple wide 16ft jon boat that came with trolling motor and a 25hp outboard...insane... my only gripe is how slow they were
I own one and I clean it every other week, dialectric grease on all connectors. A quick wipe down on every trip. It's like anything else, take care of it and it will take care of you
In Central Virginia where I live, the few fishing spots prohibit gasoline motors. This is where the kayak becomes attractive. Jon Boats are not very efficient to say the least and we do have the James River which fits a kayak great. My major complaint is the jump in prices for tandem yaks especially if it's a river. $5K is a helluva lot to spend unless you plan to fish regularly and have good fishing waters in your area but that's just me. That said I'd love to have one and would if my pockets were deeper.
Why not mount a Terrova Autopilot on a PA14? I'd miss Hobie's seat, the inboard storage of rods and the tons of dry storage. I wonder how fast you could go using the pedal drive in combination with the trolling thrust?
I have the old town auto pilot 136 and I am in love with it. And because it is heavy I built a trailer for it so I could back it into a boat ramp to load and unload.
I assume you have a new one on the way from them??? We will be waiting in a few weeks when you say looked what showed up and you have a new AP120. Surprise surprise surprise… Maybe you should pay for one so you will keep it cleaned and maintained
Great review. I was about to make the purchase on something like this but I would of needed to finance it, so I just financed a boat instead. If you got the cash for something like this, go for it.
I own a 2019 Hobie Outback and agree with the points you made regarding the differences. That being said I'm fine with what you would refer to as the "Hobie limitations" and thoroughly enjoy my kayak. I do have a couple of questions though. Would you say that realistically someone would need a trailer to transport the Old Town if it was fully "fishing ready"? Seems like with the batteries, motor, gear, and weight of the kayak you could be dealing with a very heavy load, especially if you are trying to manage it off a car roof or truck bed. Or do you have to basically dis-assemble all the parts and re-assemble before launching? What about the ocean guys? Can you beach launch the Old Town and land it in surf or is it a flat water type vessel? Noise. Part of the pleasure I get from kayak fishing is the quiet and solitude. Is there much noise from the trolling motor or since it's electric is it quiet? The Old Town seems to be kind of like the Hobie Pro Angler and the biggest knock on that kayak is the weight. Fully rigged the PA is about 150 pounds. What would you say the weight of your kayak is in a "ready to fish" configuration. I liked your video and am not intending to bash Old Town or hype Hobie, although I find not including a paddle with the Old Town is kind of tacky. I'm just curious about the differences. Again, I agree with your assessments and think you were accurate.
I always take everything out of the kayak before driving on the road. One bump and there goes something through someone’s windshield. I don’t trailer so I honestly can’t speak on it. The kayak is very heavy when fully loaded but I only have to deal with that for less than one minute. Once it’s in the water it’s second to none for my style of fishing. I never beach launch so I have no input that would help. This kayak with a motor is quieter than a mirage drive being butterflied. It’s also faster than a mirage drive in six inches of water. It just suits my needs better than the Hobie’s I used to fish from. Catching fish is my main appeal. I choose to fight the fish, not my kayak. We’re all different and no one way is the right way. As long as you’re okay with the abilities of your platform, then that’s all that matters 🤙.
I have the 106 powered by Minnkoda because I watch you. I love it! The auto pilot would be nice but it’s is a little out of my budget and I didn’t need the 12ft kayak. Thank you!!
I feel the same and plan to upgrade to the auto pilot one day. The 106 is everything u can dream of in a kayak. Only thing I want is the spot lock and auto pilot. Wit that being said far as the spot lock I'm so good wit my 106 I can keep it in place by jus adjusting speed and using foot control. I want the auto pilot bad. But I'm thinking of jus taking my 106 and getting it upgraded wit high end fish finers live scope and the high end batteries. My 100 auto zone battery last all day and had it for like 2 years now but I want at least to high and batteries so I can go long ways and keep power and all my stuff working
@@tryingtogetthere1653 I agree. Auto pilot would be nice! I don’t want a 12 ft kayak though. Wish they would offer the 106 with a auto pilot. I have good lithium batteries.
I cringed at the 4K price when I bought it, but it is absolutely 100%worth the money. You can go out and just fish, you literally don’t have to focus on anything else. It it a very powerful tool that allows you to maximize your time on the water. Highly recommended.
I paid $2500 Canadian for mine. Taxes in and it's modular. 2 piece. So I can stuff it in my SUV. And storage in my garage is not restrictive. There are deals out there.
Thanks for sharing your experience. The pros definitely out weigh the cons with this kayak. Where will I find the video of bypassing the built in electrical connections? I searched, but no luck.
Mark, I've been following the channel for awhile now and trying to determine why you fish off-shore with the 120 and not using the 136... I know now... would you want the 136? I'm 6 ft, 185 lbs... just wondering if I would need to 136... Thanks for all the great content... btw, I live outside of Austin and generally bass fish and catfish around Texas lakes, but may want to hit the coast... 😉
Main reason is it's too long and heavy. The 120 is perfect for my kayak transport rack. I would love to fish from the bigger platform with all that space but maneuvering in tight spaces is hard.
question for you, when running 100 AMP hour batteries how much fishing time do you get. I'm assuming fish finder is on most of the time while your out so do you think you would get an easy 10 hours out on the water? I understand it varies depending on if your trolling or not
I'm probably more in shape than most, but 3-4 mph is my just normal pace in a compass traveling without a pile of effort on non-turbo fins. 4mph+ is achievable for an hour straight with some effort. 5mph+ is a full sprint. Just so folks have some context. 3-4 mph is a lot of work in a paddle craft without pedaling, unless you're running a super skinny hull. Now if we're talking a Hobie Adventure or revo 13, good luck ever keeping up. Those things are easily capable of out pacing any other kayak. I've seen an adventure top out at 10mph at a sprint. A buddy maintains 5mph easily in a Revo 13.
I've had the same kayak for two years with more use in freshwater than you but I do take the time to wash, rinse, clean and grease, and its amazing how much more pristine mine looks. Demonstrates just how critical maintenance is.
From day one I never baby the kayaks that are given to the channel. I fish them hard and show what they’re capable of handling. The viewers can take comfort in knowing that my kayak wasn’t shown much love. It took a beating and still kept me on the fish. And after years of neglect it’s still fully functional. They can go into a purchase knowing that what they’re about to buy was either built to last or not.
I agree wholeheartedly, a little preventive maintenance will keep this kayak pristine for years.
@@MDLRFishing Really appreciate the job, as a person who spent years thinking about buying one, this is exactly the video and opinion that will allow me to make the right decision.
@@MDLRFishing I appreciate you showing us how these kayaks holdup to frequent use.
@@MDLRFishing I'm much more interested in seeing what these kayaks can take under extreme use. Taking great care and using them a lot less won't show me what they can take only what proper maintenance can do. I know that already.
In basic training in the military, one of the trainees said to the drill sergeant, "Why do we have to clean our gun every time, we're only going to shoot it again tomorrow." The drill sgt. replied, "You wipe your butt don't you?" Considering how much you use it and comparing that to the average fisherman, I would say that Kayak is phenomenal. You really should at least rinse it down when you get home, if you're fishing in salt water. Enough of grandpa telling you what to do. That was and excellent, informative and honest video that is greatly appreciated. Great job.
I own a 136 and have never regretted my purchase. It is a beast and gets me out on the water with relative ease. It is a life changer in my opinion. I am 54 and still have no real issue launching and loading out of my pickup. Once on the water is where the magic begins. Changing setups when moving spots while foot steering is an incredible benefit. Spot Lock is such an incredible feature. Cannot say enough about this platform.
Thanks for another great video! Your videos are one of the reasons I purchased my AP 120 a little over a year ago as my retirement present. I am running a 100ah Battle Born battery with Garmin Live Scope set up and in my opinion the combination is the ultimate as far as a kayak set up. So far I have had zero issues with my AP 120 and find the stability second to none so I always feel safe while fishing alone (I only fish fresh water) and the 100ah is additional piece of mind to get you through the day. I was already using a kayak trailer so the additional weight of the AP 120 over my previous pedal kayak did not change anything as far as convenience. I have zero regrets in spending the money for the AP 120, stability, spot lock, comfort, usable space and reliability are key to a good days fishing.
Maybe the real issue is you not washing the salt water off your gear. I cannot imagine what your reels look like.
I would absolutely love to have one...but with that being said, between the kayak, battery, fish finder..id be just as well off buying a small bass boat. at least my whole family could enjoy it vs just me with the kayak. Great video.
Bought one, used it for 6 months and that's exactly why I sold it.
Just the amount of time to set up and take down discourages me from owning one. I like to walk around on my deck of my bass boat. I can drop it in the water and take it out and park it.... done. I like that kayaks can go in really shallow water but my boat I can go anywhere they can't go on a river. Up ... down ... in a flash. I drop my boat in 9.9 lakes all the time and just use the trolling motor. It's slow but I can bring my lunch, friends, and have a livewell that i can take an end of day photo of our trophy catch(es)! Thanks for the great assessment and reflection.
I would say for the amount of money invested in some of these kayaks that, yes you could buy a small bass boat but at the same time with a kayak you don’t have to put gas in it to go fishing and you don’t have to spend money on maintenance of the engine either. There are advantages and disadvantages of both.
Yeah and no buying a small new bass boat (trust me you do not want to buy a used one) and fitting it with the same or equal gear you would still be out more than 10k most yaks cam fit on a truck bed but you need to buy a trailer for a bass boat.
@@freshlysaltedfishing8500 It's not fun loading a kayak in and out of a truck that weighs as much as the autopilot 120. It depends on what you are looking for, I have kids so the kayak was a dumb purchase. It's great for smaller lakes.
I've had the exact same autopilot for just over a year now and it's been through absolute hell. I wouldn't get rid of it for anything, it's my pride and joy
I'm at 3 years and I'm right with you Andrew. I don't baby mine, I only rinse itt occasionally, I do put die electic on all the connections and I do spray the shaft and prop pin with CRC Marine Corrosion spray. IT's fantastic. I just changed my prop again as I was topping out at 3.0 - 3.2. Will see if that makes a difference but not till Dec.
I own the old town 106 with the built in trolling motor. I paid 2500 for it and 400 for lithium battery. I love it, the best fishing platform I’ve ever used. I highly recommend either of them. I fish the coast of NC ever chance I get and I do clean it from time to time. No issues with wiring or any malfunctions what so ever in 2 years. Might need new prop, dang oyster beds. Fish on gentleman !!!!!
Thanks for your opinion. I'm in the market of a Kayak and have been looking at the Old town auto pilots for tournament fishing
That’s an awesome kayak! You’ll have a blast fishing instead of trying to rig motors on the kayak.
Thanks for the thorough, honest review. The price tag is definitely a sticker shocker at first. But as someone who owns a budget pdl (which I do like though), I can see how the thoughtfully engineered benefits of the old town is worth it. I don’t plan on buying a new yak anytime soon. But if I do, I think old town would get my money.
I've had mine for 18 months but I baby mine. Rinse after every use and spray all metal components with wd40. It still performs like new and I have to force myself to use my 20 ft boat and my other kaku kayak. I love it and don't regret buying it.
Great review / one thing I know for sure ,you don`t pull punches always an honest review.
I own the 12' version of this Kayak- purchased Jan 2021 so I've had it through 1 year of use. I started kayak fishing in 2015 & used 2 different kayaks before- so I paddled, then peddled, now trolling.
Yes. I would buy it again without blinking. It's comfortable, stable, and really hands free. The pros are many. I have 2 cons with this boat: 1. It's expensive initially (although after purchasing I haven't had to spend a dollar for maintenance or repair.) #2 It's HEAVY. I have to use a trailer to a boat ramp to get it in the water. There's no lifting, carrying, or even carting this beast. It's just a compromise I've accepted.
On the occasion that I want to fish in back waters, or places that have no ramp nearby where I carry to bank or riprap, I use my wife's 60 pound kayak... Then I spend most of the time wishing I was in the autopilot instead, lol!
What a great review… I love how informative and honest it was. Well done Mark!
Thanks William!
My goodness, I was born and raised in Texas. Salt + Texas sun will eventually ruin a 16 pound anvil! The fact it lasted a year without good post-use maintenance is pretty amazing. Wiring in $65,000 flats boats will go south in a hurry without maintenance on the Texas coast. I have a Sportsman 120 PDL, not the Autopilot version but again, I don't see how Hobie can charge more for a peddle kayak (the Hobie Pro Angler 12 @ MSRP $5299) than Old Town charges for the 12 foot autopilot version (MSRP $4000) is beyond me. It's a no brainer.
I enjoy your channel and, yes, I do own the exact same kayak. Your job is to take products to their extreme and that helps all of us. I have found cleaning the kayak thoroughly when I return from an outing. That eliminates the corrosion issue - even with the connector plugs. I pull my prop off and check for any damage to the pin. I grease it with axle grease so no need to hammer pin out of shaft. So, for those of us that fish 1 w-3 times a week, the Old Town performs extremely well. I also use ReBel Lithium battery for around $500. Bottom line ,great channel and seeing you use the Autopilot keeps me aware of what I need to do to for the kayak to perform better. Keep it up!
That’s a 50 amp hour battery I assume? What kind of usage are you getting out of it and how is it holding up as far as power storage?
@@jwjonetx sorry, forgot to add - it is 100ah
Thanks for the info, Ed, on how you maintain your kayak. These are serious kayaks that require a serious investment in money and time. If someone doesn’t want to do that, that’s their decision. I also have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160. It’s a great boat that requires little maintenance. Buy what works for you, your budget, your time, and your type of fishing. I appreciate the care you give to your kayak. My OT 136 should be delivered in a month. I can hardly wait.
Thanks for the review. I’ve been watching your channel for quite awhile now. As you said in your video, I’d agree that you don’t show much TLC for your kayak. My only hate about my AutoPilot 120 is the WEIGHT. Too heavy. I mean 150-200 lb. depending on your rig is just to heavy for a kayak.
The weight made it a no-go for me. I don't have a truck and a trailer isn't possible where I go so I have to cartop it on my Jeep. The 68lb Hobie Compass fit my needs much better.
@@SSHitMan I agree with you 100% thats why i am looking at the Hobie Lynx 45-60 lBS . I only take 2 rods and some plastics when i fish local bays!~
@@czwest7845 yes. This is the new direction of the market. Hobie is leading the way in this. Its a cycle. I bet in the next 2 years every company will have an answer to Hobies lynx, compass, and passport.
thats why I sold my 120. And it/s bulky, doesnt paddle well even with a long paddle. for me... I have a new camo outback now. It's better for me.
Definitely agree, yes it's a beast on the water but Damm it's heavy, have to pass up alot of good fishing spots that require cart topping it to get it's bottoms wet!
Plus havnt found any good carts that make it easy for that. I bought the Ctug and for the price it's completely garbage. On the hunt for a stable and reliable cart that can go into the scupper hole to prevent falling off or getting stuck due to the weight of this boat, but cant seem to find one that will fit . Other than that I love everything else about this boat!
Love my Hobie Outback, especially at 85lbs. A kayak at 152lbs is now just simply a small boat. Not car topping that beast or moving across a beach. Those grossly overweight “boats” limit your launch options drastically. My buddy has a Hobie Pro Angler 14 and will only go out if he has someone to help launch it if not at a boat ramp. How easy would it be to overturn a flipped over Sportsman Autopilot. They may be stable but they can capsize. Happened to me when I had a crack in my seat on my Ocean Kayak 4.3 Ultra on was on Lake Erie 1.5 miles out. Not to mention if your far off shore in big water and the motor fails your definitely not paddling that pig back in. I will say Johnson Outdoors kayaks stand behind there products and they sent me a new 2020 Trident 15 for a replacement. I guess it’s all situation dependent what body of water your taking it on. My outback doesn’t take on any water and is stable and fast in very sketchy conditions on Lake Erie. HOBIE 🤘🏻💪🏼!!
Is there anyway to connect the humminbird to the minn kota and be able to use the auto pilot?
It doesn’t support this function.
@@MDLRFishing Thanks for the info
I really thought you were going to say you don’t clean it because you wanna see how it holds up when it isn’t taken care of, however you were completely truthful. Which is amazing to hear.
This vid is old but i only now stumbled upon ur channel as I only recently got in kayaking.
Welcome to the channel. 🤙
I have the 136 AP, Dakota lithium 100 ah battery. I love mine. I use it twice a week in Oregon inlet. Hummingbird 1198c side scan sonar on a 18 ah Dakota lithium battery. Now, it's expensive yes, but you are not even coming close to that price with a Jon boat of the same quality. Just an engine alone that is halfway decent is gonna run ya 6 grand and the hull another 4 and here's the key thing. Noise, and the Jon boat can sink more easily. You also get a hell of a rough ride near inlets in a Jon boat because you have more speed and have to deal with the big waves from the charters. I catch all the same fish everyone else does in boats 10 to 20 times the cost of mine and more often than not I catch fish and they zero out riding around looking for fish. Now I can not go out the inlet and fish for tuna and dolphin but redfish and specs are fine eating fish to me. Sometimes cobia come in the inlet sound side. Anyhow, it's an amazing kayak and honestly, cheap for what you are getting. Comparably, you would be talking 15 k for a Jon boat, set up with spot lock and everything.
Personally the 120 and 136 were just to much for me! The 106 is the perfect price point and sweet spot, only downside is of course it’s not as big and also doesn’t have spot lock but honestly for the cons you avoid, the 106 is an absolute gem at its price point 🔥🔥 very maneuverable and just simpler. Great review sir!
I've got a 120 but I agree. JC at Rad Reeling has a 10' with minn kota and loved it. Someone stole his years back.
Interesting information. I have mobility issues and can't sit low, so I got an 8 ft Pond Prowler and raised the seat of it's swivel for easier up and down. It goes through 6 to 8 inch water if there's no weeds or stumps. It handles about like a troller motor attached to an inner tube. Changing the troller direction is a constant thing. In a slight breeze I'm like a sail and the boat goes in a different direction every time the wind changes. Maybe the 10 ft model would beat the handling of the 8 ft length. I prefer fishing from the boat's front. It's stable enough for me to stand to fisn, but hard for me to navigate past the swivel the seat for access to access the back of the boat. It's easy to transport and launch and load onto my tiny trailer. Maybe, by adding rod brackets I could gear up for different fishing rods and poles during the same water time so I can change to fishing for different species if one isn't biting. To me the biggest con is that to get rain water out the water must be dipped or the boat tilted to pour water out OR drill the boat and add a typical drain plug. I'm not confortable drilling for that. IF I buy another boat it'll likely be a jon boat.
Whatever works keep doing it 👍
do u have a link or video of how you ran the motor straight to the battery and by passed those terrible plug ins? I have already broken a few of the prongs off of the male AC plug. Thanks
(S5 Ep65) This super tiny hole was loaded with BIG keeper fish (Catch, Clean, Cook)
ua-cam.com/video/D_wBKHfH3I4/v-deo.html
I think people get into kayaking either for the budget or the health (exercising), and once they grow out if it, they don't realize and do weird things to push the boundaries. Sportsman could be one example like that. Getting into kayaking and then spending a thousand plus dollars for a lithium battery to extend the range without adding weight is crazy. With five or six grans you can create a light weight skiff which would give you unlimited range, decent speed, and a ton more fishability than a kayak without necessarily sacrificing the shallow water capabilities.
Agree. Once you've exceeded $3000 in a kayak you should probably be buying an actual boat, unless you're kayaking for the exercise of course!
No. I own a full size bass boat and several smaller boats and I can go places on my old town that none of them can go. It fits a function that only an owner can understand. Not to mention the portability. I can load it up in my ranger pickup and drive anywhere. It allows me to access electric only lakes also which is huge. Im not a kayaker. Im a fisherman. So a paddle kayak isn't gonna work for me. But these old town kayaks really are like a tiny bass boat.
Let me come at this at a different angle. I, too, have spent well over $2000 on my kayak.....perception outlaw 11.5 with motorguide xi3, Dakota lithium 12v 100ah, anchor wizard, Bluetooth yak power, garmin 9" fish finder....and more. I was an idiot in my earlier life and lost my license. Can't get it back for awhile. My wife cannot tow a boat, nor would I want to be on a boat that I couldn't dock and leave when needed. But, a kayak, we can take. Motor, battery are on quick connects, simple as getting yak off car, mount and plug motor, mount and plug battery, good to go👍🏻. Different strokes for different folks
@@christophershoe9642 How do you haul it? I'm only 130 lbs and I'm not sure I could roof rack a kayak myself. You're probably a strong young guy. I agree if you have other reasons for a kayak it totally makes sense, but from a pure financial sense it might not.
@Penguin1290 The perception 11.5 outlaw is very light for its size. Plus, since I need a driver, I also usually have some extra hands around 😉. Plus, even if everything fails, I'm still a kayak, and I'd rather be in a kayak with paddles, than a boat with paddles with the same issues. To each their own👍🏻
Yup. 120AP owner here and it definitely changed the kayak fishing world. I would’ve never dreamed of fishing king salmon out of a kayak let alone being as easy as it is with the trolling motor. Definitely worth the investment.
i have the old town sportsman 106 mk and i just love it. i made myself a crane with an electric winch to lift my kayak and swing it into my truck. the crane goes at the end of a bumper i also made. i'm 51yo ,so no more heavy lifting for me..:)
I have seen the old Town kayak like this one. A few guys on UA-cam use the old Town kayak like this one rave about the kayak and how it handles. I have seen this kayak used on the ocean and the UA-cam guys just love it because it handles so good and motor moves you around no more pedaling. The guys say this is the kayak to buy.
I bought my first kayak ever last summer, old town MK106, the autopilot was a bit out of my budget. Either way, this kayak is amazing, I’m ready to take it out on the Colorado waters again! Great video! 9:35
That's a great kayak I love your fishing shows keep up the great work 👍 yup me and the wife has a 14' Jon boat 15hp runs 20 mph with both of us and all the gear....
How much did your Jon boat cost you???
But with that kayak you can reach places that a Jon boat can’t. That’s the difference
In 3’ waves my 120 days let’s go and I’m dry. Wouldn’t a jon boat sink?
When will minn kota come out with a kayak spot lock trolling motor like Motorguide did with the xi3?
I think one of the positives of having to register my kayak is, if i fall out and my kayak gets away from me, the coast guard can look up my kayak number and know that I’m missing. I always registered my kayak # with my two way radio. So if i hit the distress button, they know it’s me and can try to locate me. Hopefully I’ll never need it but i feel it’s an additional safety feature.
Thanks for the video. 👍🏽
Getting my old town together now. Would love for you to take me in the marsh to learn some things
Thanks for the review of the old town as always great detail on all your videos. I have to say kayaks are getting to heavy would like to see manufacturers come out with an ultralight sturdy pedal kayak that I can move around with ease in the 65lb to 75lb weight class but with the similar features but without a crazy price tag. For me it’s all about light weight and a kayak I can pick up and throw in the back of my truck an go without wasting to much time going and coming.
Hobie passport
Thank you for your review. I am convinced this is a great product and want one! I fish small rivers close to me and like the hands free features. can I pedal in shallow waters with out breaking the pedals? In late summer the river often gets so shallow that I drag bottom on rocks. Lastly, I think I would like a class on how to use fish finders and just read in Bassmaster mag about forward facing technology. Is this available in this Kayak? How could I go about really learning to use that? Thanks in advance for your response. Joe McIntyre
The AP120 is my first Kayak. I am 60 years old and yes for me it's heavy for me to lift onto my truck bed, especially on inclined ramps. So I made a ramp with a small winch. Now I like it even more. Great Kayak.
I have the 136 auto pilot..yes about $6k+ once you get battery and fish finder, a cart, and support that connects to my tow hitch. I have had it for 2 years. I mainly troll with it.
Pro: I'm 5"11, and 230ish lbs. I can stick another adult in the back and go fishing.
Hands free, I can just troll and just do something else in the meanwhile. Most of the time I just take in the scene while the boat does its thing.
Ease of control when its in the water. Either with your remote or your feet. Or both to turn on a dime.
I can stand and its still supper stable, even with the kayak going full speed.
Enough room in the back where my ten year old can just fall a sleep is a small lawn chair while I fish.
Cons:
Heavy!!! You will not launch this thing by yourself just anywhere you need a part of it in the water to help with the weight. It's way easier to launch without the battery and motor and install them after its in the water. 99% of the time I launch from boat ramps unless there's a location where my truck can be backed up to the edge of the water.
You need a kart to move it around. If its centered on they kayak it not heavy.
All in all I would still have bought it, knowing what I know now. I love the versatility that this kayak has. I can easily load the back of my truck and just go.
Great review I think it's great you abused it to give honest review I hate sugar coated reviews
Damn jealous...full time UA-camr...great video. I've got the PA14 the deck space is what sets it apart from the other kayaks.
As long as you enjoy it that’s all that matters 👍
I got lucky bought mine it was used once from a UA-camr like yourself which got it free for promotion for $2,500 with no battery but did have a paddle. Then bought 100AH Dakota with charger close to $900. And bought a new Lowrance 7 reveal from a friend for $200. I have a Hobie PA12 as well which I can say is a lot easier to haul and unload etc.
The i-pilot motor with spot-lock is the heart of this boat. You could get a job boat but to add the same trolling motor you’re looking at about 2 grand plus for that motor.
Hopefully you’re not trying to get through narrow back marsh ditches and fish in 4” of water.
Since I got my Old Towne 136 my Pathfinder Center console hasn’t been out on the water. Truly a fishing machine. No regrets!!
They’re remarkable fishing machines.
I watched your video and change from ap 106 > ap120, I hv had it since June 21 and hv not gotten wet. From the past registration to finding a 4kayak trailer to haul it since to heavy to load on the top of suv. But this is the year to travel, learn, and play. What I didn't hear is any recommend of keel guard. I have made modifications but want to get wet soon. Now have to learn how to back up a trailer
MDLR Fishing-Straight talk with Mark! Could be a regular feature. Maybe once a month review tackle, rods and reels, kayaks, trolling motors etc. It's hard to find an honest and complete review like this. Your the best Mark keep it up.
Thanks, man! your videos are great, I watched you when you went to Panama the very first time! Great vids! I personally prefer Revo, nice and fast kayak without lots of drag and things to bring with you to the water. I now looking at Brooklyn kayakas, those are super cheap and light, wanna try one of those.
I have the 136 with no regrets. Though i am considering a small outboard for it just to get me to my fishing spots.
lol
My god your blessed brother getting a free old town kayak for a couple reviw videos 👏🏽 beautiful Godbless and Fish On!!!
Thanks 👍
I’ve recently purchased the OT AP 120 in blue. I’ve only taken it out a 3 times so far so still new condition, I can see why you don’t wash it down every time it’s time consuming for sure. I installed the anchor wizard on mine for that just in case of emergency situation and hope to never have to use it. The one thing I don’t like is for the rivers I fish it need a motor with more thrust it doesn’t do well in a moderate to heavy current. Other than that I really enjoy the hands free fishing, tight lines
Love my Old Town PL 120 peddle
Very honest Mark. I believe the real biggest deal breaker is the battery price for those lithium’s. These are pretty darn good kayaks and we need more companies competing to bring the prices down. That plastic toughness you brought up with OldTown, Hobie need to listen here.
I have a Amped 60 ah deep cycle battery 12 v lifepo4 lithium battery that I use on my Kaku Zulu with 30 thrust trolling motor the problem I have had with it is one of the leads ran hot and melted next to the connection its says fully charged should get 8 hours I guess that's on minimum speed it with charger was $540
Definitely agree with your assessment even though I've not had the problems you faced because I'm in Michigan and my yak doesn't see salt water. I have the 136 and my top speed is about 3.7 mph on lead acid marine battery.
The best thing is I got it on clearance at Cabela's because it had a few scrapes due to shipping but only paid 2500 out the door. Which is the price of a pdl model. I'm 240 lbs and this thing is super stable in the water. So I didn't get it free but I definitely didn't over pay for it.
The only thing I'd like to do is go lithium. But like you said that's about a grand. But I still get 8 to 10 hours of use on a regular marine battery.
Love your honest reviews but I stopped using my 18 ft bass boat because this thing is so easy to launch but in bad weather I do miss the gas motor in a storm to get back to shore quickly. Other than that I really love it.
It's very telling that a lot of people that own a bass boat and Autopilot prefer taking out the Autopilot.
Great review and spot on. The heavy part is the worst for me, my 106MK weighs over 100lbs. without the motor. That's why it's been sitting in my shack for a year and half collecting dust-lol
Mine is a 106 MK and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t weigh over 100 without the motor. Its heavy yeah but not that heavy
@@jettercool Go look at the specs on their website. My arms know it weighs that much too!
@@CrazyCranker 121 lbs with everything on. The motor alone is 17 lbs. No motor means 104 and minus the seat and battery box I calculated about 94lbs to carry only the hull. Yeah! I looked at the specs
@@CrazyCranker ua-cam.com/video/kpF8BSp5YzU/v-deo.html
@@jettercool Cool man, tell my arms that-lol!
Rewatching this again. One thing we don't mention is that being a kayak fisherman is a thing unto itself. I can get places that"boats" can't go.
True 🙌
This by far is the best purchase I’ve made in fishing gear as of yet. I have the 136 model and yes, it is a tank. But the actual hands free aspect of this kayak is what sets it above the rest. I bought one last year and got a full season on it. It is equipped with a 100ah lithium battery (highly recommended). Not once have I ran out of power. Even on a 2 day camping trip of using it all day. Not one issue with power. I’ve invested in deck, navigation and running board lights for night time, Along with a Garmin F.finder and a few other bells and whistles. If you can stomach the price, the investment will payoff in less work on the water, the ability to focus solely on fishing, and the stability is unbelievable. Even in choppy waters. Invest in a good trailer too. Did I mention this thing is a TANK?
Also a major conversation piece when out on the water, lots of people are curious about it.
What kind of trailer do you suggest?
@@timmanis2000 I've decided to get an On the Waters Innovations custom trailer. But they can be super pricey. Well built and specific to your needs, but get ready to open that wallet up. The wait on these are on avg 3-4 months is what I was told. I fell in love with mines.
Right now I have the 136 AP on a RightOn trailer. I rigged it out with PVC pipes covered in a ASTRO Turf wrap for bunks. I added some extras like retractable straps, a small winch for those steep extractions out of the water (that 136 AP is a TANK, loaded or not). This trailer is light and low enough yet sturdy for me. It serves the purpose for what I NEED, and gets me out there safe and fast.
I’ve noticed people mounting RC electric jets with good trolling capabilities and for main propulsion.
Different strokes for different folks.
You can get a used boat trailer and make it work for your kayak.
Can you tell me about how you setup your gopro, mic, hat? Is it something you use on the water as well?
(S1 Ep149) Action Hat GoPro Setup
ua-cam.com/video/ipa681sMRgs/v-deo.html
Like the potential ability to use this for "offshore" bass fishing and not worry about positioning when casting on a spot. Major trouble with traditional kayaks.
Most definitely
Man, I was so hoping that you were going to give me some reasons to not want to buy this. Dammit man!
Picked up an AP136… my only complaint it’s how heavy it is.. other than that.. it is fantastic. Super satisfied ripping lips in it!
Thanks for the honest review. Man I wish it was at a lower price point.
Im still indecisive between this and a pa14 with a trolling motor. The hobbie will cost a bit more but if my motor goes out i have my pedals. It's a tough choice...
I purchased mine because of your video,I did some thing different, I used electronic grease on all my fittings and u washed it every time out..I have yet to have any problems what so ever .maybe you should take care of it.just saying.love you videos but how can you give a true testimony if you haven't been taking care of it?
It was honest to him and how he uses his kayak. I could see many other people that would use it as such.
Same here. The seat and storage places on the PA14 is leaning me towards the Hobie.
Great review! BTW Hobie 360 (no motor) starts at $5600....
I have the sportsman 106 MK and love it. Might pick up an auto pilot 120 if they ever come out with a version 2.
I dig your integrity. Much appreciated.
I appreciate that!
I too also hate the fact that the vessel itself weighs a ton alone without the battery. I bought my kayak, and recently just purchased another battery. It is currently running on Lead acid battery. I just purchased a lithium battery. Unfortunately, when it comes to lithium batteries. There always going to expensive. I used race RC card so I am well aware. I think the advantage of having this kayak or a kayak is less maintenance in the long run. I do love my AutoPilot 120 also….I do not get it out there as much as I would like to. Good review of the product.
Nice review! Good thing about lithium batteries. The price is getting better. I just picked up two 100AH Chins batteries for 309.99 each on amazon. They sell 50AH also.
As Kayaks become more full featured and add traditional boat amenities to them, Im going the opposite route now.
Im not a youtuber so my needs are different. I enjoy loading mine on my overland trailer and discovering new areas while also fishing our Tx coast. For this, lighter and simpler is better. The Hobie compass or even the Passport 12 is where Im moving towards.
The only reason we put motors on our kayaks is to outrun the hippos
Which color do you favor and why? thanks Joe
I've been considering putting the new saltwater Xi3 on my Old Town Topwater120 (same as a sportsman). I would love to have the AP120 but can't afford to drop $4000 plus. I could add on the Xi3 with a mount and battery to my Topwater for less than half that and then have the spotlock too. This is still a hefty cost for an poor 'ol man like me, but much more achievable.
I completely understand the steep cost. Thank goodness for all the DIY videos.
Great video. We bought both of our Hobie Kayaks from Mariner Sails in Dallas, Texas.
Correct,too expensive.... private companies charges legs and arms...
The honest opinion is huge. That price tag though! $6k and you’ve got one hell of a Jon.
I had one..it is too expensive, I traded mine for a triple wide 16ft jon boat that came with trolling motor and a 25hp outboard...insane... my only gripe is how slow they were
If my livelihood depended on a boat, I'd probably be more likely to rinse it off when I got it home than if I were a casual user.
Great video. I am buying one. What size do you recommend for bay and near shore ? I am leaning towards 120 but 136 I can also do.
the 120
I own one and I clean it every other week, dialectric grease on all connectors. A quick wipe down on every trip. It's like anything else, take care of it and it will take care of you
In Central Virginia where I live, the few fishing spots prohibit gasoline motors. This is where the kayak becomes attractive. Jon Boats are not very efficient to say the least and we do have the James River which fits a kayak great. My major complaint is the jump in prices for tandem yaks especially if it's a river. $5K is a helluva lot to spend unless you plan to fish regularly and have good fishing waters in your area but that's just me. That said I'd love to have one and would if my pockets were deeper.
Beautiful fishing in Virginia. The James was breathtaking when I fished it.
Why not mount a Terrova Autopilot on a PA14? I'd miss Hobie's seat, the inboard storage of rods and the tons of dry storage. I wonder how fast you could go using the pedal drive in combination with the trolling thrust?
I have the old town auto pilot 136 and I am in love with it. And because it is heavy I built a trailer for it so I could back it into a boat ramp to load and unload.
I assume you have a new one on the way from them???
We will be waiting in a few weeks when you say looked what showed up and you have a new AP120. Surprise surprise surprise…
Maybe you should pay for one so you will keep it cleaned and maintained
Great review. I was about to make the purchase on something like this but I would of needed to finance it, so I just financed a boat instead. If you got the cash for something like this, go for it.
I own a 2019 Hobie Outback and agree with the points you made regarding the differences. That being said I'm fine with what you would refer to as the "Hobie limitations" and thoroughly enjoy my kayak. I do have a couple of questions though. Would you say that realistically someone would need a trailer to transport the Old Town if it was fully "fishing ready"? Seems like with the batteries, motor, gear, and weight of the kayak you could be dealing with a very heavy load, especially if you are trying to manage it off a car roof or truck bed. Or do you have to basically dis-assemble all the parts and re-assemble before launching? What about the ocean guys? Can you beach launch the Old Town and land it in surf or is it a flat water type vessel? Noise. Part of the pleasure I get from kayak fishing is the quiet and solitude. Is there much noise from the trolling motor or since it's electric is it quiet? The Old Town seems to be kind of like the Hobie Pro Angler and the biggest knock on that kayak is the weight. Fully rigged the PA is about 150 pounds. What would you say the weight of your kayak is in a "ready to fish" configuration. I liked your video and am not intending to bash Old Town or hype Hobie, although I find not including a paddle with the Old Town is kind of tacky. I'm just curious about the differences. Again, I agree with your assessments and think you were accurate.
I always take everything out of the kayak before driving on the road. One bump and there goes something through someone’s windshield. I don’t trailer so I honestly can’t speak on it. The kayak is very heavy when fully loaded but I only have to deal with that for less than one minute. Once it’s in the water it’s second to none for my style of fishing. I never beach launch so I have no input that would help. This kayak with a motor is quieter than a mirage drive being butterflied. It’s also faster than a mirage drive in six inches of water. It just suits my needs better than the Hobie’s I used to fish from. Catching fish is my main appeal. I choose to fight the fish, not my kayak. We’re all different and no one way is the right way. As long as you’re okay with the abilities of your platform, then that’s all that matters 🤙.
Sounds good, sounds like a solid kayak.
Do you freshwater fish? If so where at?
I have the 106 powered by Minnkoda because I watch you. I love it! The auto pilot would be nice but it’s is a little out of my budget and I didn’t need the 12ft kayak. Thank you!!
I feel the same and plan to upgrade to the auto pilot one day. The 106 is everything u can dream of in a kayak. Only thing I want is the spot lock and auto pilot. Wit that being said far as the spot lock I'm so good wit my 106 I can keep it in place by jus adjusting speed and using foot control. I want the auto pilot bad. But I'm thinking of jus taking my 106 and getting it upgraded wit high end fish finers live scope and the high end batteries. My 100 auto zone battery last all day and had it for like 2 years now but I want at least to high and batteries so I can go long ways and keep power and all my stuff working
@@tryingtogetthere1653 I agree. Auto pilot would be nice! I don’t want a 12 ft kayak though. Wish they would offer the 106 with a auto pilot. I have good lithium batteries.
I cringed at the 4K price when I bought it, but it is absolutely 100%worth the money. You can go out and just fish, you literally don’t have to focus on anything else. It it a very powerful tool that allows you to maximize your time on the water. Highly recommended.
Good video…only advantage for me over pedal drive is the anchor feature of using a trolling motor. The weight is also big deal for me.
I am looking for a stable kayak for a heavy guy I weigh 260. I have seen some videos with big guys on hobie kayaks any suggestions.
This kayaks fishing experience is very hard to beat. Stability is very good.
I want to buy one first time getting one any recomendations something that will work on lakes rivers and sea
Mark, I am confused on your battery for the trolley motor. The battery on your list is 50 ah. Do you run 5 of these in parallel?
Two of them 👍 for 100 ah.
New Subscriber....Great Video. Very thorough and informative.
Welcome to the channel!
I agree going to have to that to my 136 wiring sucks
I paid $2500 Canadian for mine. Taxes in and it's modular. 2 piece. So I can stuff it in my SUV. And storage in my garage is not restrictive. There are deals out there.
Thanks for sharing your experience. The pros definitely out weigh the cons with this kayak. Where will I find the video of bypassing the built in electrical connections? I searched, but no luck.
Mark, I've been following the channel for awhile now and trying to determine why you fish off-shore with the 120 and not using the 136... I know now... would you want the 136? I'm 6 ft, 185 lbs... just wondering if I would need to 136...
Thanks for all the great content... btw, I live outside of Austin and generally bass fish and catfish around Texas lakes, but may want to hit the coast... 😉
Main reason is it's too long and heavy. The 120 is perfect for my kayak transport rack. I would love to fish from the bigger platform with all that space but maneuvering in tight spaces is hard.
question for you, when running 100 AMP hour batteries how much fishing time do you get. I'm assuming fish finder is on most of the time while your out so do you think you would get an easy 10 hours out on the water? I understand it varies depending on if your trolling or not
I usually spend 4-8 hours on an average day. Longest trip was 14 hours and the battery was still good.
I'm probably more in shape than most, but 3-4 mph is my just normal pace in a compass traveling without a pile of effort on non-turbo fins. 4mph+ is achievable for an hour straight with some effort. 5mph+ is a full sprint. Just so folks have some context. 3-4 mph is a lot of work in a paddle craft without pedaling, unless you're running a super skinny hull. Now if we're talking a Hobie Adventure or revo 13, good luck ever keeping up. Those things are easily capable of out pacing any other kayak. I've seen an adventure top out at 10mph at a sprint. A buddy maintains 5mph easily in a Revo 13.
I Love my AP 120.... Old Town is a great company to deal with..... You won't dislike it....