1+ Year Review of the Old Town AutoPilot 120: A Northwest Perspective

[@johncorapi4901]

Great content. I'm one of those old fishermen who has been at it for more than 70 years. I want to keep going and my Old Town Autopilot 120 allows me to do that. I can fish longer, harder, and yes...smarter. Thanks to you and Old Town for your help in keeping an old fisherman on the water.

[@stevehogan8829]

I'm 75 with lung, breathing, and strength issues. This kayak enables me to fish 4 plus hours that I otherwise could not enjoy. It's a game changer for me. I've had mine 3 years now, fishing in Florida,, mostly bays and inshore. Nice perspective.

[@dwayneivie3350]

just want to thank you for all the efort that you put into your videos, im in mostly in to trout fishing and being in Southern Utah, some times being allmost winter and 85 dont get out must. of the time and your videos fill the gape and your video are awsome. and very good quailty.

[@Sea2overland]

I've had my 136 off the coast of Bolinas ca in 7' swells and 15 mph winds...and I was shocked how secure i felt. Coming in on the surf and being able to steer with feet and paddle in hand is a game changer also. The only worry I have is flipping in the surf and how the I pilot will fair out.

[@joncalvo3591]

I bought the 120 Salty on you’re recommending video’s. Thank you for all of the valuable tips you give us.

[@colobisman6132]

At 70 I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have a problem with a pedal kayak but maybe I would at 75 or 80 and I’m planning on this being the only kayak I’ll be buying. This should do everything I need it to do and more.

[@spiltmilt]

Its a very capable craft.

[@Repsol000]

This is a boat ramp kayak I do like it....but I also love going back in those hidden spots of paradise with no boats around...also I love launching mine from spots on the the side of the road don't have to wait for the ramp....why I haven't got one I still have huge love for my 2018 PDL...I still think about this one though.

[@DavidJones-uh9rg]

I picked up a136 about a month ago based on a few of your early videos on battery performance (probably the best video out there on that subject btw) and your early reviews. So many options out there for just general use fishing couldn’t make up my mind and you p much sold me on the autopilot and just so happened I came across a new one in Spokane. Got it rigged up last week and intend to get it out next week weather and work permitting. Really looking forward to it. I really appreciate your approach to your videos. Very analytical, thoughtful and detailed. Well done.

[@joeys7519]

For me and my ap120, it allows me to spend more time fishing, more casts and less positioning. I'm a fisherman and not necessarily a kayaker. I can also pull my 70 year old grandfather's kayak with me to spots he wouldn't be able to paddle too.

[@atrueearthling4326]

That sounds like good times with the old man

[@iandtexarkana4549]

The Autopilot 120 is hands down effortless to ride, while the PDL 120 is cost effective to own: no battery to buy, no registration fee to pay, and $2000 dollars savings over the Autopilot. The PDL 120 also has health benefits. It gives the kayaker the ability to burn calories while fishing!

[@TimTorell]

Very nicely done.

[@davidk2137]

Thank you. That was a nicely done review and explanation of the benefits of the Old Town Autopilot 120. I enjoyed this video very much.

[@rubenakacoolerlid2314]

I love my sportsman Autopilot wish it came with a case for the Minn KOTA unit, it has made me enjoy fishing a lot more better than beating the banks

[@Twisttop]

Great review and examples on how your kayak allows you to spend more time doing what you love. I also share your opinion on motorized kayaks. I love that lake your fishing. I live 30 minutes from the south end of the lake. I mostly fished it in a 21 foot bass boat that I sold a few years ago. Now I am in a Sportsman 106MK and I am happier with it than I was in the bass boat. Keep up the good work.

[@tdn137a]

Thanks for the video - so glad I found your channel. Moved to WA recently and have a Nucanoe Frontier 12 w/ bow mounted MK riptide. Possible fishing opportunities you're showing are blowing my mind!

[@spiltmilt]

Welcome to Washington! Feel free to reach out with any questions

[@matthewackerson7861]

I’m hoping for a 24 volt kayak to deal with the fast current with springer fishing at Bonneville dam.

[@CoreyB777]

I think that having a motorized kayak would be beneficial to those who might not be able to paddle with their arms or use their legs very well with a paddle drive.

[@danm1319]

Thanks

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

Very informative. I'll have to convince my dad to get one.

[@robrob7957]

I'm seriously considering one of these, I love my outback but I'm getting older and the hobie bothers my knees and hips. I can't imagine that getting better as I get older.

[@spiltmilt]

Whatever it takes to stay on the water!

[@BackWaterYakin]

Great video very well spoken. Still trying to decide between AP120 or nucanoe unlimited with xi3

[@sipius22]

You have a down rigger on a Kayak....awesome!!!.

[@mrb401]

Very cool points on the AP. The part about being less fatigued at the end of your trip is obvious but also an eye opener. Great point. I sometimes plan trips according to what I have going on later in the day. House stuff, to-dos, work etc. This is to save time and energy. With the mk and spot lock, I know for sure that would help with that. Already have a Salty, which has been great. #1 pedal yak for what I need imo. And adding an AP would cover all fishing bases for me. I’ve demod it and havent pulled the trigger yet. Do you think there would be a refresh of some sort in the near future? I can wait and I’d rather an updated ver if its within a yr or so.

[@spiltmilt]

I don't think there will be any significant changes to the AutoPilot for the next few years.

[@Wirenutby]

Love your videos, I have a Sportman 120 PDL that I fish here in the Casco Bay of Maine and love it, but I am getting older and considering the MinnKota version. When I hit a patch of seaweed with my PDL, it stops my pedaling almost immediately where I have to pull up the prop and pull all the seaweed off. Knowing you also had a pedal drive, what's your experience if or when you hit seaweed with your old pedal prop vs the MinnKota? Not sure how much seaweed you ever ran into with your pedal prop to experience the stoppage?

[@Boogeyman1920]

Very cool video.

[@atrueearthling4326]

Bro it's about fishing its not about the kayak perse so I would like to say motorized kayaking is not ruining kayaking at all. Quite the opposite imo.

[@jkramer5512]

The whole "that's not kayak fishing if it's powered" argument is garbage. In addition to being an avid angler I'm also an avid mountain biker and we're seeing the same thing with E-Bikes. My philosophy is that if it gets you out there and you enjoy it that's great. I've had a Pro Angler 12 for 3 seasons and love it. I've pedaled it for as long as 7 hours pretty much non-stop with no issues but that's me. I've got two downriggers on my kayak and anything else you could wish for. Thanks for the video and the insights. I'd be curious to have you answer the question posed by somebody else below which was essentially: what, if anything, would you ask Old Town to change in the next version of the Auto Pilot?

[@spiltmilt]

I replied to his comment on changes I'd like to see on the AP 120 but appreciate your insights on the parallels with mountain bike community.

[@sgroggy]

Ever have water inside the hull? I always have a small amount directly below the front hatch.

[@spiltmilt]

Never.

[@mrb401]

Unless I missed it, but I’d love to see an upload of the Salty or another yak tied to the AP, demonstrating the spot lock feature!

[@spiltmilt]

Here is a video from Bad Ash Outdoors. We had two or three kayaks tied up to each AutoPilot. A fun day! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHOmaqqLhpWLgtE

[@jayjohnston3945]

Great video. Where did you get your trolling rod holders?

[@spiltmilt]

RAM Mounts. You can save 15% on the RAM website by using the code "HICKS22" RAM Rod HD Rod Holder: www.rammount.com/part/RAP-433-421 RAM Extension Arm: www.rammount.com/part/RAP-114-APB2U.

[@Fishingwithdaboys]

Great vid bro !!! do you have a video on tips of how to use it more detailed?

[@opuntina]

Hey man, Just got an AP136, and I like the look of your GPS mount. What is that plate that allows you to screw the ram ball into the space where the rod holder is?

[@spiltmilt]

Here ya go navarrekayakfishing.com/shop/old-town-rod-tube-replacement-mount/

[@oscars5093]

Where did you get the custom padding?

[@spiltmilt]

Seadeck

[@tntragan]

Great video. Thanks for waiting a year for your review. It really helps to have a review with experience. Have you ever wished you went with the 136 version for extra space? I know car topping is a big deal for you so maybe that was the deciding factor. What benefit do you see of the 120 over 136. I'm real close to pulling the trigger and am trying to decide which size. Any insight would be great. Thanks for the great content on your channel.

[@spiltmilt]

I am really happy with the 120. I've never found myself wanting for more storage space and as you already pointed out the 136 would be difficult to car top.

[@jerryberg6244]

What make 100 Ah battery is that you mentioned for less than $400? That does sound like a good price point but I haven't seen them for that low.

[@spiltmilt]

Chin's Lithium. I've seen several tear down videos. Its solid amzn.to/2ZSs5C2

[@jerryberg6244]

@@spiltmilt thank you. I think I will go Lithium this year and that is helpful.

[@RadReelingFishing]

Excellent review. I've had some recurring "Motor Not Found" issues. I use the die electric grease and the connections are clean, but I think something is getting worn with the connectors. It's pretty frustrating at times for various reasons. Have you had some connection issues periodically as well?

[@spiltmilt]

Never had any connection issues.

[@RadReelingFishing]

@@spiltmilt Thanks for the quick reply.

[@fatboyfishing2333]

Hey I could not quite make out the brand of battery that you use. What is the name of the brand? I am fixing to pull the trigger on a lithium batt

[@spiltmilt]

Aolithium amzn.to/3qYrBVm

[@reapergrim76]

Great! 😀

[@dawnrauch9251]

Where did get those fishing road holders

[@spiltmilt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3vMmaWubL10kLs

[@ovmatt2317]

What cooler do you use to keep your fish in?

[@spiltmilt]

I currently use a soft sided cooler from Columbia PFG unfortunately they don’t make them anymore

[@ovmatt2317]

@@spiltmilt do you open your battery box to charge your battery or do you have a adapter to connect to the box?

[@warefisher]

If Old Town were to ask you for ideas on the next generation (version upgrade) of motorized kayaks, what input might you offer? Thanks for the video.

[@spiltmilt]

Hmmm.... I think a redesign of the cockpit would be good. The dual forward facing rod holders are really non-sensical. I'd rather have the gear track extended further back. The strange square pockets running along the cockpit are also a bit strange. Nothing to really hold anything in there other than the rail for the rudder control. It feels like its designed by someone with no fishing experience or by someone who only fishes bass and needs a 100 places to shove plastics The elevated sternwell walls aren't really necessary and cutting those down and extending the gear track forward would make it useful and probably cut a few pounds of plastic off the kayaks weight. An obvious upgrade would be to integrate I-Pilot link so you could network your fishfinder to the motor head. I personally feel this was left out on purpose as an "easy upgrade" at some later point. These are all rather nitpicky things that are overcome with customization and I have. However, for a company that owns multiple kayak brands and a fishfinder brand. I am continually dismayed at how bad their universal transducer mount is. It's the weakest aspect of the Old Town Canoe/Ocean Kayak lineup.

[@warefisher]

Thank you for the comments. I greatly appreciate your videos and advice. I have an an OT Salty and believe a Sportsman Autopilot is in my future. Larger capacity lithium batteries and the spot lock feature are game changers for fishing.

[@kennetholavarria8044]

Hello i love your fishing channel can you explain what's a down rigger please ty or make a video !

[@spiltmilt]

A downrigger allows you target a specific depth up a 100' deep or more without having weight mounted on you line. You clip into a release and then drop your gear down.

[@kennetholavarria8044]

@@spiltmilt ty

[@rossej56]

Any insight on 120 vs. 136 battery hours on the water and is the 136 worth the added $$$ would be appreciated. Thx in advance.

[@spiltmilt]

Due to its length the 136 will be slightly faster (0.2 to 0.3 mph) and has a higher weight capacity. It also weights a several pounds more. I feel I have plenty of space on my 120 but it will depend on how much gear you want to carry.

[@jeffreylitishin9035]

Have you yourself gained weight since switching to using the autopilot?

[@spiltmilt]

Lol no

[@MyExRebirth]

Do you run your hummingbird using the same 100amp battery of your trolling motor or does it have a separate battery?

[@spiltmilt]

Seperate battery otherwise you get interference from the motor

[@MyExRebirth]

@@spiltmilt Yup. I have an 11' inflatable dinghy and put a 86lb 24v motor on it + two 100amp 12v lithium batteries and another 20amp for my lowrance fish finder 😂 It's sooo much work to set up everything each time that when I'm ready to hit the water I just need to sit for a good 15 minutes to take a breath before I can start fishing 😭😭😭

[@brixelus]

I can only afford 2 arrow flash dodgers. Which colors do you recommend? 🤔

[@spiltmilt]

Nickel moon jelly and Pink net wing

[@kyle2760]

How much does registration in WA cost for this? Recurring and initial prices? Thinking about getting one. Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

If you paid taxes on your kayak it will set you back less than $100 depending on where u live. If you didn’t pay taxes on your kayak purchase it will be substantially more

[@kyleyang2452]

What battery do you use?

[@spiltmilt]

I use both an Aolithium and Rebel Bluetooth battery kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZLNcq1nj6eofsU

[@CheekyChops710]

Does he have a fish in this whole time lol?

[@TheHappySmileyFace12]

Try going top speed without any gear onboard I think you’ll get back to 4 mph

[@spiltmilt]

No that is not the case.

[@phearlesspharaoh3697]

I’ll never understand “purists”… 😂 It’s still a kayak, it’s just motorized. These idiots do this crap with everything from line, to reals and rods. I still catch fish even without a boat, and like you said “it’s a tool”😎