Old Town Sportsman Salty PDL 120 (On the water first thoughts)

[@TCampbell1990]

Your reviews are very helpful. I feel like the fishing that I do, and my personal minimalist style, this kayak will compliment me pretty damn well. Thanks man

[@morganghetti]

I'm a fan of the well on the front of fishing kayaks. I throw a small cooler and a fish bad up there. It's easy to access and I don't need to keep anything dry. I have a Revo 13 as well and don't really like having to scoot up and open the hatch. I took the salt in the inlet in St Augustine today with 15/20 knt winds. Was peddling into the wind and incoming current and getting 3 and 4 mph without breaking a sweat. It also maneuvers in the wind better than any kayak I've used.

[@augustinepower1052]

Thanks for your making this thoughtful video. I'm planning on making my own one but I may have to remain careful before I go out on the water here in POW, Alaska. Big thanks, as always!

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Ya, two very different worlds!

[@captainzachodom]

Good video brother. Living in the FWB area I’ve been back and forth on this kayak and the predator. Leaning more towards the pred with it being bigger and a few more features. Good to see how these yaks work on local waters.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

If I could only have one and I would have the Predator.

[@Blgtn43]

If you're short, just add blocks to the pedals so you can keep the seat back.

[@glennmorimoto4541]

Thanks for the review. Great info.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Thanks for watching, Glenn.

[@DetroitFishigan]

Nick that's soo true and awesome that you 🎯 hit on that, about the hight & weigh and the seat positioning that allows water to come in from the scuppers and behind the pedal drive. I have that same problem because im 5'10" 250lb and when i back the seat up it helped with the water. But no one talks about that in any video 😂 😂.. i got most of the upgrades you made. I got to get a few more that rudder for sure because in the Detroit River it is hard to turn. What seat risers do you think I should get for the rear and should I get the ones that you make for the front because I don't want to lose too much of the stalability, but I do want to be easier to pedal and stand up. So maybe you can help me on that with some advice thanks Nick.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Which kayak do you have?

[@DetroitFishigan]

@@NavarreKayakFishing PDL sportsmen 106.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

That kayak is plenty wide enough that you won’t lose any stability. Just remember if you raise the front 1” you need to atleast raise the rear 1” so it stays equal to the stock angle. Most people opt to raise the rear 2”.

[@DetroitFishigan]

@@NavarreKayakFishing i just got done installing all the extra i got from you, and put on my 1st yak sticker on my yak 😳 I feel like i just leveled up 😂. Now if i just do the back 1inch how will that feel on the legs and puling my self up? Because thats what i was thinking 🤔💭. Thanks for the quick response Nick 🍻

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Raising the back 1” will make leaning forward and standing easier.

[@CrazyCranker]

Hi Nick great video and lots of great info, especially for us short folk-lol Any solution to the drive gasket problem? I can deal with a little bit of water but, it may get old after awhile out fishing.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

The gasket doesn’t touch the kayak in one area so the water will always be present. However, it stays way out front by the scupper holes.

[@fluken32]

Can you do a more in depth video on how you change the bolt in the rudder? Great info on video, thanks.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Chris, check this video out - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJm6k5-khseVqpY

[@bigbranch1]

Great review....am sold....so you are in shallow water ....one can pull the peddles up and use the paddle...

[@michaelknapp3702]

I think you are correct...”minimalist” is the appropriate term for this Kayak. There is very little storage, either inside or on top. I view it as somewhat difficult to transport from the truck or trailer to the beach or launch place. Sorry, even though I appreciate your honest review, the manufacturers just did too shoddy and poorly of a job designing it to make it worth my hard earned money. ❤

[@derricklafosse8947]

How bad is the hull slap on the salty?

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

It’s not terrible but it does exist. The camera location makes it sound worse then it actually is on the water.

[@wesleybryant7334]

My thoughts on this yak is that it’s definitely more of an inshore kayak, reminds me of my ocean kayak malibu 2xl no access banana shaped lol but handles the rough water really well and that’s paddling. What do you think about the vibe shearwater i know you more of an old town guy, any thoughts or opinions on it?

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

I don’t have any first hand experience with the Shearwater other then seeing it in stores.

[@UncleCheddar]

Hey nick, I’m trying to figure out the best kayak for me to get. I’ve been thinking the sportsman pdl 120. I do a lot of lakes and ponds and river fishing with occasional ocean fishing but haven’t been out there in a kayAk.I’m 5’7” 160 do you think I’ll get much water in the front on either of them? Also do you think the sportsman 120 will be able to handle ocean conditions similar to this video? I want to be able to take it out off the coast of Maine occasionally for striper fishing

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

I think the Sportsman 120 PDL would serve you better then the Salty. The internal storage is a big plus.

[@UncleCheddar]

@@NavarreKayakFishing that’s what I’m thinking, thanks for the reply. Awesome thorough videos 👌

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Thanks, Nick.

[@sewzagaming2956]

Hey could you make a video on removing the locktite from the rudder system. I cant seem to get mine off. Thanks

[@MrJr298]

Heat the screw with a soldering iron long enough for the locktite to become soft again before removing it.

[@ikashibimauler]

Heat.

[@TheRealTruthstalker]

Good review. Important real life info.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@iamalemontree]

Great video!! Between salty and big water pdl, which one would you recommend?

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

I recommend the Bigwater 132 PDL. It’s a much better platform.

[@iamalemontree]

@@NavarreKayakFishing thanks so much! 😀

[@Aviatorkayla]

Why would they only put a hull access under the seat? Sounds like it would be dangerous if water got in there and you couldn’t bail it out

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Exactly! Same issue I had with the AutoPilot.

[@rainmakr20]

Thanks for the great quality review.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@patwhaley1663]

Is the sportsman 120 pdl a better choice for $400-500 more? Thanks for the awesome truthful review!

[@Fishin-mission1]

Have u messed with sportsman 120 autopilot at all?

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

I have spent sometime in the AP 136. We did a few videos on it.

[@102Montana]

You’re rec ppl for a 280 lb, 6’3, 65 yr old fisherman? Inland fishing...some river...??? Input appreciated ...I have a Nucanoe F12 now

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

I would look into the Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL. Quality kayak, stable, and perfect for small bodies of water.

[@102Montana]

@@NavarreKayakFishing Thanks a bunch ,,

[@mrb401]

If you had to pick between this and the sportsman 120 pdl, which would it be? Mostly for inshore waters. I realize they are different hulls so they will feel different. The salty being faster and the 120 being more stable. But for another $300, you get side pockets/cubbys & front hatch in the 120. Looks like it would make installing a FF much easier too. They’re also listed only a couple lbs within ea other. Thoughts?

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Personally, I would take the Salty. But I don’t carry much tackle and can work around the lack of storage. The Sportsman 120 is to much of a barge for me. Fish finder - the Salty isn’t terrible. I will do a fish finder install video down the road.

[@mrb401]

Got cha. Appreciate the quick reply and look forward to the FF install 👍🏻

[@joeywatts7779]

So I saw you had a lot of water come over the bow on this one too... And I didn't realize how low to the water it sits. Seems like a lot of water would come in from the sides too while launching?.. So in my mind the predator is better for the surf and rough water? In your opinion what's the best kayak for surf launching? And I'm not saying just Old Town any brand

[@ikashibimauler]

Predator is harder to manage in the surf. It is heavy and cumbersome when paddling. Once you get past the breakers it is a better platform all around, but the salty is lighter and more maneuverable. For serious surf conditions launching a lightweight narrow and long PADDLE kayak will always be best. I never will go back to a paddle kayak since the fishing is so much better with a peddle.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

I think both kayaks launch in the surf without any issues. I don’t have any issues launching the Predator in the surf and think it paddles very well when needed. The salty had a ton of water in it but the kayak drained very quickly. The salty turns easier which allows you to position the kayak into the waves easier.

[@KingWing26]

Thanks for a no BS honest review. I've been racking my brain around which kayak to upgrade to (Currently own a Pelican Catch 100 and Pelican Bounty 100). I want a PDL kayak because fighting the wind with a paddle gets old. I'm trying to keep my price point down so I can upgrade my fish finder. Which has led me to the Old Town Line up. I fish both fresh and salt water, mainly fresh though. While I agree with you about the access point for a bilge pump, having storage isn't too big of a deal for me as everything I want to take with me fits in my crate. I'm 6'1 270, do you think the Salty is a better purchase over sportsmen PDL 120? I'm trying to find a do it all kayak that will fish well in rough water and affords me the ability to stand and cast comfortably.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

At 270 I would go with the PDL 120. The Salty is a good kayak but you’re going to want a little more stability.

[@ronaldraux6909]

Sounds like people are better off getting the Predator or Sportsman BigWater. Thanks for the review

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@jelly_fishing]

Nice video

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Thanks, Pablo.

[@sivakornsirirat1334]

How does Salty pdl compare to Bigwater pdl in terms of hull speed and stability

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

The Salty is plenty stable and sits lower in the water so it doesn’t feel as “tippy” when sitting down. It’s not as stable when standing as the BigWater but that should be expected with hull design. It’s not as wide. Overall, it’s good to go and I’m currently texting while pedaling across the Gulf of Mexico...

[@clutester]

It's called the salty because without storage your stuff gets salty.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

Ha! No doubt about it.

[@michaelknapp3702]

I will never buy one of these Kayaks. I think they are very poorly designed and not well thought out at all. Shame on Old Town for trying to sell us such an absolute” piece of garbage. Hell, this kind of dedication to “quality” and workmanship makes me mistrust the entire Old Town name and line.

[@ronseguin7289]

Save your money and buy a Malibu PDL instead or better yet a Sportsman or Topwater over the Salty.

[@NavarreKayakFishing]

The Malibu PDL is the same kayak.

[@morganghetti]

Neh. Depends on what you're going with it and what you like. I personally don't like a barge and like to go offshore so they salty it is.