Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL | DETAILED KAYAK REVIEW | Why I didn't buy a Hobie

I've had this kayak out fishing a few times now and thought I would do a full front to back review and overview of this kayak. I threw in a few fish that I caught this day also, three different methods all from the kayak.
I know the Old Town haters and Hobie lovers will be giving me thumbs down for this but I would rather be honest then liked. I explain why I went with Old Town over Hobie at 21:10
#oldtown #kayak #detailed #review #overview #fishingkayak #fishing #overview #hobie #multispecies #flyfishing

[@jakebeyer695]

Great review. I’m sold on this thing. More features than I even knew. Appreciate you brother!

[@advocate0426]

Well done sir! I'm happy to also see someone that more closely resembles my size on one of these... Thank you!

[@differentfins]

Yes us big boys want toys also lol, thanks for watching!

[@natebonebusta]

Excellent review and fishing. This is the kayak I’m likely to get. Like you, the extra $1000 I could spend outfitting the 120 to make it that much more useable and comfortable for my fishing style. The underwater footage was a nice touch.

[@differentfins]

Exactly. For the price of the Hobie you can get an awesome Old Town Kayak plus $1000 in extra gear, electronics perhaps.

[@johnkosterimages]

Great review, good to see a bigger guy posting that it's stable!

[@BruteBossHog]

Awesome video and great review! Thank you for the details it helps a lot. I’m currently looking for a good fishing kayak. I seem to be stuck between old town sportsman PDL and wilderness systems recon 120 HD. Both are similar and both have characteristics that make them unique. This video really helped me get more information for the old town.

[@differentfins]

Nice! I don't know anything about the wilderness systems kayak but I can tell you the Old Town is great, One year later and I still love it! I hope you love whichever kayak you decide to purchase. Cheers and tight lines!

[@jeffcaspersen5072]

I’m currently looking into moving into kayak fishing with my 9 year old. This was very helpful and informative, thanks for the effort you put into content creation to benefit others

[@differentfins]

Thanks for the comment. That's great that you will get your 9 year old into kayaking. I cant wait to do the same with my daughter. That will have to wait though, she is only 9 months old. cheers!

[@danabartlett3206]

You did a great job showing me the boat. Just exactly what I wanted. You answered my questions before I could think to ask them. I love that boat too.

[@differentfins]

Glad you liked it. I have had this kayak for over 2 years now, it's my third season and still love it. Ill be doing a follow up review as well since I did this video shortly after buying the kayak. I'll show some changes I've made to it and how I solved my anchor problem. I like it more now than I did back then. Cheers.

[@rbiel100]

This is a great video. Now you have me thinking about getting a pedal drive. Well done. Be safe.

[@differentfins]

Thanks, I have no regrets with the purchase. So much fun!

[@darren539]

Great video; I love that you were fly fishing; I plan on doing that mostly. I got to demo the 120 pdl recently and was surprised at how stable it is. I'm 6'4", 265 lbs, and I never thought it was too small. I'm leaning toward the 132 pdl as I plan to be on the ocean as well as fresh water lakes.

[@differentfins]

Nice, I am a bigger guy myself and this kayak is very stable. I made this video 2 years ago but still love it!

[@slacktide5675]

I have had this yak for close to a year. No regrets. It’s heavy but ridiculously stable for sight casting or fishing standing up. You want an offshore kayak get a predator or hobie outback. Freshwater or inshore this kayak is killer.

[@rainbosprinkles6548]

Its extremely hard to beat an outbacl for inshore fishing. Grass flats, the mirage drive all day. In the marshes, back lakes, and bayous, the outback is excellent.

[@markharp1988]

Nice setup I've been wanting one a while now. Think I'll finally get one this year

[@differentfins]

I dont think you'll regret it at all, I never did. Cheers!

[@raphael9749]

Very well done video and gorgeous lake!

[@differentfins]

Thank you, and yes a typical Canadian lake in middle of nowhere. Most of them are beautiful like this and often you have the lake to yourself.

[@FishingwithNat]

Nice kayak and review. I'm thinking about a PDL soon myself if I can find one in stock.

[@differentfins]

Yes supply is limited since the pandemic happened. I ordered mine last December and picked it up in April. You may have to order it and wait unfortunately.

[@rodcar2166]

Anchor trolley to the seat. Works great. As for those knobs, your so right. Great video 👍 thanks

[@differentfins]

I tried something new with the anchor yesterday. I tied it to the front handle but I tied a second slack rope about 6 feet down and that line was tied to the handle beside me. I was anchored in very heavy current and when I wanted to go pulled the slack line to retrieve the anchor without leaving the seat 😊. If I tied the rope to the middle this current would have flipped the kayak pretty sure. I fish some big rivers.

[@RedRiverWilds]

@@differentfins in current I tie my anchor off with a quick release loop under tension stuff gets sketchy or I hook something that wants to take me for a ride give the tag end a quick tug and then retrieve the anchor later. Also have my grapnel anchor tied off at the bottom and zip tied at the top allowing me to retrieve it folded if needed or it gets dug in too deeply into whatever it grabs. As far as securing it I just run the line through my trolley and tie off to a loop I tied to my seat.

[@brigittemullett7285]

water gets inside the hull due to condensation. That's the reason for the drain plug. great review, thanks

[@differentfins]

Thank you

[@michaelbutler4961]

Awesome video, One thing I'd like to see is stability testing and actually, see guys esp bigger guys go from sitting to standing position. I kinda got a bit from your video. It looked like you are able to grab ahold of the peddle drive and use it to get a hand up. I would need to be able to do something like that being heavy and much older lol

[@differentfins]

Yes, being a bigger guy I can stand up but the handle on the PDL drive is sometimes necessary to get that drive with the legs. I haven't done anything crazy like standing on the front of the kayak. Some smaller men and ladies can walk out and stand on the front but standing in the middle is as far as I want to take it haha.

[@itsover123ification]

This sold me on it. Thank you for your review

[@differentfins]

Excellent. I still enjoy mine, sad thing is I will have to put it away for the winter after a couple months. Lakes will be freezing here by November. Cheers.

[@itsover123ification]

@@differentfins Thankfully in Washington we don't generally freeze over. Hopefully i can get good enough with it over the fall and winter that I'm competent enough to get that spring bite. Thanks so much for your video, it's really well done

[@rjb]

Great video. I'd like to see a forward facing rod holder on both sides built in.

[@differentfins]

Would be nice for sure, it could replace the drink holder that is far too big to secure a drink anyway lol

[@seancochran8522]

Love you’re video! Where is this footage taken? I live in Phoenix area now, but I’m from N Idaho, and this really took me back!! Thanks!

[@differentfins]

NW Ontario, just north of Minnesota. I've been to Idaho twice, I love that state!

[@seancochran8522]

@@differentfins I was born and raised in Sandpoint, ID.. You have beautiful county to fish in! I really miss it…

[@tylerramsey3607]

Great review of the old town. I actually just sold an outback to get the old town 120 pdl. For a few of the reasons you listed but also even in the high seating position of the outback you still feel like your sitting in the floor of it.

[@differentfins]

Thanks man! I've heard the same thing about Hobies and sitting too low. I am still loving my Old Town. In a few years when I am ready to replace it I wont even look at Hobie. There are a few new players in the fishing kayak game to compare to. Native and Jackson Kayaks are looking pretty good. But I have no regrets buying the 120 PDL, I am ordering a fish finder to install on ot for the 2022 season. Everything is frozen here where I live now, in a few months I'll be back in the yak. Cheers!

[@differentfins]

@@tylerramsey3607 it is very stable for sure. I was close to 300 pounds when I made this video and I've never come close to tipping it and I do a lot of stand up fishing in it. I love the 500 pound weight capacity of the 120 Sportsman, I want to start doing some longer trips that involve camping and I'll be adding all that gear into the kayak. I think a lot of the balance comes from the pontoon style hull, there is much more buoyancy near the outer edge.

[@DiverBob777]

Thanks for the unsponsored review. So much of it on You Tube is so tainted/biased that it is worthless in objectivity. Started out in the Hobie camp but the instant reverse is pulling me towards Old Town. The lower price helps too.

[@differentfins]

I know how you feel. People are selling out so fast. One of the main reasons I stopped watching fishing shows on commercial TV was all the advertisements. If I find a product I like I'll talk about it but so many paid promotions are force fed. So fake. The Hobie pushers are some of the worst but I just couldnt see the value in one of their overpriced yaks. Thanks for watching!

[@bsimmons00]

Enjoyed the video. How does the 120 PDL paddle if not using the pedal drive? I ask because I want to get a pedal kayak but I have worn out knees and sometimes pedaling might not be an option if the knees are hurting. Obviously speed and range will be reduced but overall does the 120 PDL paddle pretty decently?

[@differentfins]

It's not terrible to paddle. I generally only paddle launching, landing or going over very shallow water. It won't be as smooth as a traditional kayak due to its design but when you lift the rudder and drive its comfortable. You just lose a little maneuverability and speed. If you are giving your knees a break from pedalling itll move fine enough.

[@emartusodallas]

Amazing video Bro. After watch this video I'll buy a Sportsman 120 PDL. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@differentfins]

No problem, I hope you enjoy it!

[@HookinDinks]

She’s a beaut! Been looking at this exact model

[@differentfins]

So far I am happy with it.

[@BK-xh4ys]

Excellent vid sir. Is the only place to carry the stern by grabbing the rudder? Sure wish it had a rudder control on the right side for us lefty's.

[@differentfins]

Ah yeah I guess it isnt an ambidextrous kayak. And yes the rudder is the only handle in the stern, cheers and thanks for watching!

[@charlespalmerii4299]

thank you for the video, how is it when coming in to dock going into low water when you have to raise the PDL ?

[@differentfins]

You I dont even think about that anymore. I've done it so many times now that it's a smooth operation. Lift the rudder, raise the drive and grab the paddle off the side of the kayak. It was awkward when I first started now its routine. Cheers and tight lines!

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

Navarre makes spacer so the pedal will not shift back and forth, and the Lever Loc YakAttack anchor trolley works really well. I put one on my old Jackson Cuda 14 about 4/5 years ago and it works great. I will probably be buying a new Old Town Sportsman 120 pdl when they come out this yeat. As much as I still like my Cuda I'm getting older and don't want to paddle as much anymore.

[@differentfins]

Ah cool. I've ordered parts from Navarre before I'll check out the spacers.

[@Soupy_Shoes]

Great in depth review

[@differentfins]

Thank you sir, a year later I still enjoy it!

[@puma51921]

I have a Hobie. The drive is probably the most efficient system. The big downside is if you fish shallow water. The drives are fragile and will break if you hit anything with the drive. The peddle drives can't get as shallow water but, they are tanks. You may need a prop or sheer pin. Significantly cheaper than anything that will break on a Hobie drive.

[@differentfins]

Another reason I didnt discuss is exactly that. A few KZbinrs I follow started off with Hobie (they were the best and the one to buy) and then the maintenance issues started. Broken chains on the mirage drive and such, most of them switched over to Old Town. Cheers

[@dariusphotography865]

Nice video ,thank You

[@justinhamley800]

Awesome video!

[@differentfins]

Thank you sir! Glad you enjoyed it

[@nickibateson1466]

I’m looking for a kayak Rt now and found one that’s been used 3 times the man is selling it to me for $1000.00 I guess I can’t say no on that deal. Very good vid it truly helped me feel better about buying this one as well. Thx

[@differentfins]

Oh yeah that is a steal my friend! Used 3 times is still new in my opinion!

[@nickibateson1466]

@@differentfins ya that’s what I was thinking thx have a great day.

[@differentfins]

@@nickibateson1466 you have a good one also

[@johnkowall2629]

Thank you

[@XploreAz]

Awesome video. This is the kayak I’m waiting to get. Unfortunately everyone is sold out right now. Where is this lake? It’s beautiful.

[@differentfins]

This is where I live in Northern Ontario. Marmion Lake near Atikokan, ON.

[@differentfins]

I had to pre order my kayak. I ordered it last December and I was able to pick it up this April. It's the same for most outdoor gear in the last year. Ever since the pandemic people have been spending more time outdoors. Cheers

[@XploreAz]

@@differentfins I'm just about ready to order one. Just doing a little more research between the Old Town PDL and Autopilot line-up and the Hobie Pro Angler. I think I'm leaning towards the Old Town line-up though. Thanks again.

[@VinnyM.92]

Man where ever you are looks like heaven on earth

[@differentfins]

I would think that if the biting insects were not as thick in summer LOL (NW Ontario, Canada). Cheers

[@cesarbravo1500]

Going more for the old town bc of instant reverse....I think sportsman should me good for a river bc of the paddle drive I think it's perfect for gar fishing but scratching my head if I should get the bigger kayak bc iv caught 6foot gar out here in Texas rivers.....

[@differentfins]

Well honestly I am jealous that you have gars haha. I know what a 6 foot fish pulls like because I've caught white sturgeon that big out west. It might be done with the sportsman, I believe it's that stable. But you could also use the kayak to take your gear down river and find a secluded shorefishing spot to fish for gar. Cheers!

[@Steady_Stick]

Nice review video 👍

[@differentfins]

Thanks! 3 years later and I still love it!

[@vidviewer9727]

I bought this kayak this week. I haven't used it yet. I will be carrying it on a malone versa rail roofrack for my sedan. The problem is, I don't see a handle on the stern, for a stern line to wrap through while transporting. The front handle works great for tying a bowline to my tow hook under my car. But I'm not sure how I can tie a Stern line without adding something additional to the haul since there are no secure points. I'm not sure I trust the carrier handle on the rudder to secure this kayak because it's so heavy and the rudder handle is plastic. Any suggestions?

[@differentfins]

Unfortunately not really. I use a pickup truck to transport my kayak and I do put a strap through the rudder handle but it's pretty much just a redundancy support in case the main strap I put over the kayak slips. Only thing I can think of is getting a couple J-hooks like you see on kayak trailers where the kayak is supported on it side. Not sure how you would mount that to the top of a sedan. I myself am thinking about buying a small trailer for our little crossover, I know its maybe not possible to get a towing package for a sedan though. Possibly check out Yak Attack company to see if they have strap holds that can be mounted to the hull of the kayak. I have seen an accessory that bolts to the kayak for an anchor loop so maybe that will work. That is all I got. Best of luck!

[@vidviewer9727]

@@differentfins thanks for taking the time to reply. I found some foam pads at my local camping store today to run across the rail. And I decided that I will run 2 separate cinch straps through the two separate scupper holes in the rear. that will run down to my metal frame loops under the car. And back up. It seems like its super sturdy and it should work. I have the bow line under the main tow hitch so this baby isn't going anywhere. I'm hyped to get on the water. Happy fishing. Subscribed.

[@differentfins]

@@vidviewer9727 thanks! Glad to hear you found a solution. Cheers and tight lines!

[@dkat1108]

Great kayak but I use my kayaks in the ocean as well and some spots you can roll your kayak in rough conditions and this kayaks peddle system is just to bulky and awkward if I was to roll it I bet that peddle system would not hold up. For fresh water lakes its not an issue.

[@differentfins]

First time I ever heard about Old Town kayaks was from watching Sea Money Fishing on KZbin. He originally started out with Hobies then made the switch. He fished in the ocean all the time with both brands of kayaks, had no issues with them (aside from his mirage drive breaking on the Hobie).

[@lmychajluk]

I'm looking at the 120 PDL or Bigwater 132 PDL for mostly freshwater lakes and some rivers in the NE, and maybe some inshore bay fishing as well. I like the layout of the Hobies (Compass or Outback), but when OT offers a lifetime hull warranty and a 5-year pedal drive warranty while Hobie will sell sell you an OEM-branded plastic welder, I think I'm leaning OT....

[@differentfins]

Yup we each have our own checklists of what we want/need. The biggest factors for me were the weight capacity and having instant reverse, so OT for the win. Cheers

[@wubbalubbadubx2]

I'm in the same boat. I was going to get the sportsman 120 but i'm in the ocean and bigger lakes frequently and was told to get the bigwater/predator. But now I'm looking at 130 lbs vs an 80lb hobie outback. That might make a big difference loading the kayak solo on top of a 4runner or having to drag the yak through muck when the tide goes out.

[@lmychajluk]

@@wubbalubbadubx2 You're comparing the fully rigged weight of the 120 PDL to the hull weight of the Outback. The 120 PDL is 116# per spec (19# for the pedals, 6# seat, leaving 91# for the hull. The Mirage 'Fitted Hull Weight' (???) is 85#, with the fully rigged weight of 103#. So, there is a difference, but it's not as drastic as you're making it out to be. FWIW, I went with the Sportsman PDL 120. I load it into the bed of my pickup, which, being a SD and set up w/ an off-road suspension, is a bit higher than a standard pickup. I remove the PDL drive, but not usually the seat or crate, and it IS a bit awkward to lift the front end onto the tailgate, but lifting the rear up and pushing it into the truck isn't too bad. I've only done it a couple of times, so I may find it to get easier w/ a bit of practice.

[@wubbalubbadubx2]

@@lmychajluk Ended up buying the Salty today. I can fit it into the rear window of my 4runner which blows my mind.

[@lmychajluk]

@@wubbalubbadubx2 I'm sure it'll be great for you. The models are all so similar, but they build in just enough nuances in the differences between the models to make you regret not getting the other one (or end up getting one of each!).

[@mackjenkins7721]

This was a great review of the PD L120. I am looking to upgrade to a pedal drive kayak. You touched on some good points. Hobie's are some nice kayak but like you say the price on them is not in my book. #2. The straps that go over top of the pedals are no good for me. I have big very very extremely wide feet sz15 6 EEEEEE wide with very chubby fat wide toes that are equally straight across making my foot very very wide at 6 1/2 inches wide from my big toe to my lil toe & the Hobie salesman told me that the straps did not come off when I try to demo the kayak. He let me embarrass myself in front of him while I was trying to get my wide foot through those strap. The salesman then said to me those are some very fat wide toes that are straight across you have for a fat man. That turned me away from Hobie right there. I love the instant reverse and forwards on the PDl. I do have a question sir? I have very very extremely wide foot & i have to kayak Barefooted 👣 style because of my foot being so wide. All the pedals wide enough & comfortable to kayak barefooted 👣styles. I am very interesting in getting this kayak cuz I am a 300-pound guy myself & the weight capacity is what I need. Thank you for a great review. Hope you had a nice weekend.

[@differentfins]

Thank you sir! I have no regrets to this day about the Old Town. I can't wait to get out again after the ice melts up here. Sorry to hear about the arrogant salesman at Hobie. I really think that the Hobie company is riding on thieir past success and they believe they have a prestige about them so they can charge extra and well... be snobbish. When I did my research I wanted the best kayak period, cost wasn't that much of a factor but it is nice having the better kayak be more affordable. Cheers!

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@differentfins thank you I really appreciate that. Yeah the Hobie salesmen really upset me making fun of my wide feet. It was very unprofessional of him. I cannot help it that I am a chubby fat dude with extremely very wide feet with chubby fat wide toes that are equally straight across. I have had a lot of salesman comment about my extremely wide feet & my chubby fat toes that are straight across i have. I get it how often do you see a extremely wide foot that is 6 1/2 inches wide with toes that are straight across instead of being at a 45 degree angle like most toes are. Thank you again.

[@Blgtn43]

Don't forget the two molded built-in handholds both sides of the rudder.

[@differentfins]

That might be a later design. This video is a few years old now and I know Old town has made some changes. Thanks for the input though. Cheers!

[@HuyFishin]

its been 6 months since this video. Any new final thoughts on your Oldtown 120 pdl?

[@HuyFishin]

you are also so absolutley right about the KNOBS on the PDL cross bar being on the top

[@differentfins]

That's a good question really, I guess nothing has changed much. It lived up to expectations and I already miss it lol. Until I go ice fishing then I'll forget about it until April lol. This winter I'll get some electronics and install, thinking Helix 7... got great plans for it in 2022.

[@colingordon5950]

Weight capacity is a HUGE deal in PDL driven watercraft. The water pushes against the kayak as you propel yourself forward. The faster you go, the more weight is being pushed against the boat. In any wake/waves you're going to need a higher weight capacity or water will come over the kayak. Physics matter in boating.

[@differentfins]

Good point. I feel like I will get wet sometimes no matter what but having that extra 75 pounds to me is huge. It was probably the first spec looked at when comparing.

[@dkmv29able]

How heavy is without the drive and how heavy is with the drive too?

[@differentfins]

kayak + drive is 116 pounds (drive weighs 19 pounds) so kayak is 97 pounds without the drive give or take.

[@charlesnewham3572]

What kind of weight capacity does this thing have? I’m a big guy, so I’m just wondering

[@differentfins]

I hear ya, I was just about 300 pounds when I made this video. It has a capacity of 500 pounds, lots of room left for gear and equipment. Never have I felt like it couldn't handle a lot more weight. Thanks for watching

[@redsoxwinagain2007]

Love this and want one but hate the color options. Solid, bright colors only for me. Being noticed by boaters is my highest priority.

[@differentfins]

I hear that, especially if you fish busy waters. As you can see I often have the lakes to myself here in Canada. When I do visit waters with more people I wear bright colors... white, red, etc.. I guess you could always give your yak a custom paint job.

[@jetsam12]

Can you put ice in the front storage area to keep fish

[@differentfins]

If you could contain it I suppose so. If it's not in a container the ice would slide down the hull of the kayak. Also its not insulated. I am taking it out to hopefully catch salmon this weekend, I am placing a cooler behind the seat and filling that with ice. Full size cooler fits in the rear storage area. Cheers

[@jetsam12]

@@differentfins good luck, thanks for the reply. I may be buying a old town 120 pdl next week after I find a good dealer here in Florida, going to use it for saltwater fishing.

[@differentfins]

@@jetsam12 hopefully they have them in stock and you dont need to preorder and wait. Anything to do with outdoors and recreation has been selling out during the pandemic. We all want to get outdoors more than ever. Good luck with getting a new kayak!

[@the45er]

Do yourself a favor and visit Navarre Kayak Fishing here on KZbin. Look at his enhancements for you Kayak. At your size, I know you’d really enjoy the front and rear seat risers. I have added his Rudder bolt/steering knob, floating prop nut, the little attachment that lets you rest your rod on the PDL, stick anchor mount and PDL alignment spacers and ALL of them have been marked improvements to the boat. And a final word, I have zero affiliation with his company. I just like his stuff!

[@differentfins]

Yup you commented this on my other video. I subscribed to his channel and will check his stuff out. Thanks again for the tip!

[@the45er]

@@differentfins Sorry for the duplicate advice! I lose track of where I comment too often these days!

[@differentfins]

@@the45er no worries all is well. You must really like his stuff if you comment that often. Cheers

[@gerard2620]

Thanks, great video !! Did you consider the Sportsman 106 PDL ? Or was the weight capacity what moved you to the 120 PDL ? I'm really trying to decide between these 2 Old Town models. Thanks again !!

[@differentfins]

You know I never did look at the 106, I've heard it's a great vessel. You guessed it. The weight capacity was probably my biggest factor. I am a heavier guy so 120 is the smallest i would have considered.

[@bs0170170]

@Gerard I'm stuck between these 2 models. I know this comment is 5 months old, but did you happen to pull the trigger on the 10 or 12? I'm trying to make up my mind now.

[@gerard2620]

@@bs0170170 I've not yet pulled the trigger (wanted to see one in person) but leaning toward the 106 PDL. I hear it's 10-12 pounds lighter, than the 120PDL... and being an older weakling who car-tops with an SUV, the kayak weight matters to me, lol. I think if I had a truck or a place to keep a trailer I would go 120 PDL. Good luck Ben !!

[@johnryan296]

@@gerard2620 I'm thinking the 106 for the ease of transport too. I don't need the extra storage space.

[@gerard2620]

@@johnryan296 Thanks John. I ended up getting the 106 PDL. I've had it out once so far and love it ! I have no need to go bigger than this, but to each his own...good luck !!

[@Lasurge1982]

Those small mouth in that lake are beautiful.that lake is prestine.

[@differentfins]

Yes they are beautiful. All the lakes in this part of the Canada look like this. If you get a chance to fish here I highly recommend it. Cheers.

[@clayrasmussen8199]

The only thing I don't like is where the rod holders are. I don't like that if you're trolling you would have to turn your neck all the way around to see if something is on.

[@differentfins]

Those rod holders are mainly for storing extra rods. When I troll I hold onto the rod. If you want to use a rod holder for trolling you can get rod holders that attach to the rails along the side. All fishing kayaks have those universal rails, cheers

[@RedRiverWilds]

The kayak I could afford when I got mine was an Ascend H10, not the best by far but 400lbs capacity, tracks decently and is pretty stable, I do have to use a paddle with it but I like to drift along anyways until I'm on fish so that's not a huge issue and I have a drift anchor on 25 feet of line which can slow me to a near dead stop and the seat is insanely comfortable, couple of friends took my canoe out to meet me and found me half asleep just drifting along with a slip bobber and drift anchor deployed. The wide sit in design makes it feel quite stable, only had to beach it once on a trip when the wind suddenly picked up and started gusting to 100km/h aside from that time I can comfortably stand to stretch my legs though prefer to sit and it rides high enough that I can float her fully loaded in just a few inches of water making her great for slipping silently into untouched areas, is it as fast as my sea kayaks absolutely not I'd say I can comfortably run her at 5 mph, but I didn't buy a fishing kayak for speed and and at 55lbs I can portage easily if I run heavier gear first then grab the kayak and lighter gear.

[@differentfins]

I did my research last fall and put money aside for months to buy this one. Gotta take what you can afford sometimes. If I had 10s of 1000s to spare I'd be fishing in a fancy bass boat probably lol.

[@differentfins]

Nothing wrong with your kayak. Does it get you to the fish? Have you made it home safe every time? Yeah man it's all good. The pedal drive was something I really wanted since I knew it existed

[@RedRiverWilds]

@@differentfins Yup it gets me to fish and back, and yeah sometimes you need to go with what's available. Not sure I'd buy a boat too much maintenance kayak I drain wash and put in the garage or whatever depending on where I'm at and can count on it working.

[@differentfins]

@@RedRiverWilds yup nothing is more reliable than muscle power. Low maintenance for sure!

[@RedRiverWilds]

@@differentfins Yup if I can't get the muscles going I probably shouldn't be on the water, actually I probably should just call it a recovery day. How's the bite been in Ontario, even the cats and drum have developed a case of lock jaw here with the heat.