Two Years Use Review Old Town Salty 120 PDL: A Tale of Two Kayaks

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The Old Town Salty 120 PDL is my go to pedal driven kayak. I've been fishing out of a Salty 120 PDL since December 2020. In this video I discuss wear and tear experienced putting hundreds and thousands of miles on these kayaks and their PDL drives in both fresh and saltwater environments.
For more information on these kayaks visit:
- Old Town Official Website: oldtowncanoe.johnsonoutdoors....
Find your local Old Town dealer here:
- www.oldtowncanoe.com/where-to...
Recommended online dealers (not associated with them but they have a good reputation):
- Black Hall Outfitters www.blackhalloutfitters.com/c...
Thanks for watching!

[@morganghetti]

Ive owned several kayaks and currently own a salty and a Hobie Revo 13. The Salty is the best fishing kayak imo. Mine has seen 3 year of hard salt water use. Lots of oyster bed encounters. It has held up beautifully. It's fast, turns great. The cockpit is well thought out. And I love the front well. I never had a use for a front hatch and it's nice having another place to store gear I can easily get to.

[@coyakbrian3411]

Fished my Salty for two seasons now with no issues. Get out twice a week 3-7 hours per trip of mostly trolling. Would definitely buy again. Have never seen saltwater but punched through loads of whitecaps on the lakes.

[@mrb401]

Having owned many pedal kayak models over the years - Outback, Revo, Compass, Salty & BW132, the Salty would be my #1 recommendation for anyone just wanting to get into a pedal kayak. Especially if you need to cartop. Doesn’t have all the bells and whistles. But it’s light, fast & stable. As Tyler mentioned, it’s a very versatile boat. I too have experience with Hobie Revos. The Salty is probably the closest thing to it. Where the Salty beats it is the instant reverse pdl drive and primary stability/deck space. Price-wise, absolutely demolishes it. In fact, it’s priced much lower than many other pedal kayaks. That said, I still ❤ my R13.

[@stevesafety6743]

87 lbs is light? I guess if compared to a PA or 120PDL which are well over 100 lbs

[@mrb401]

@@stevesafety6743 It’s 79lbs, without seat and pdl drive. Yes, I’d say that’s pretty light in comparison to most pedal kayaks

[@stevesafety6743]

@@mrb401 thanks most web sites have the Salty listed at 85-87 lbs. to stay under 75 lbs you’d have to go with a shorter kayak. Native Slayer 10 propel 62, Moken 10 PDL 72, Vibe Makana 100 55

[@stevehogan8829]

Thanks for the excellent information regarding the curling of the kayaks during storage.

[@Steady_Stick]

Another great review video. Nice job 👍

[@Rando-h9d]

Tyler I bought my Salty last December because of your page ( Hello Old Town! ) . Used it all this year in west central Montana, in fact used it today because of nice weather. Have no complaints other than that I put a gel pad on the seat ,because I’m about twice your age . So what I have experienced with a PDL Kayak vs a boat is the speed control and stealth mode of a Kayak ,catching fish. Would recommend kayak fishing to anybody that’s thinking about it. Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Thanks for sharing Jessie! You are right about the stealth. Its one of my favorite aspects of kayak fishing.

[@adamsnyder9347]

I think given the opportunity, I'd trade my Bigwater for a Salty for a more nimble kayak that's a little easier to load. You can take that bar from the PDL into a hardware store, and have them cut down a 1" dowel to size, paint or varnish it, and use that to support the kayak without having to take the metal bar in and out of the PDL unit, as an option.

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

I didn't realize that you should store them with the pdl bar on. I have had mine for 2 years now. I have broken 2 propellers while navigating rivers and hitting hidden things. Water does get into my pdl though; I got some fishing line wrapped around it in the first year and ever since some water gets in; talked to old town and it doesn't look like there's anything to do. Overall it's holding up really well though and I really like it.

[@Losingsince]

I'm still sticking with my Hobie but I might get a salty when I move to Alaska

[@spiltmilt]

That sounds like an adventure!

[@edwin6709]

Damn bruh looking good!

[@spiltmilt]

Thanks! 👍

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

Interesting stuff. Sounds like long term durability is there on those PDLs. Still enjoying the Hobie for now, but you never know down the road.

[@SithLordDarthBane]

Unfortunately my experience with Hobie was not good. Selling my two ‘21 outbacks and going either salty or sportsman.

[@ncalais09]

Tyler, love it and just like many others, you convinced me way back when to go with the salty and it's been awesome! Super good tip about storing them with the seat and pdl bar. It sounds like you keep yours in the garage. Do you store them on stands upside-down or just right side up on stands? Thanks as always!

[@spiltmilt]

Right side up on the floor or stands. Currently building a wheeled stand to stack my two salties on to clear up floor space

[@brianpapiez1719]

Great video Tyler!! Hey what kind of camera do you use. This video seems REALLY clear!

[@spiltmilt]

This is a Sony Alpha 6600: amzn.to/3zw6puo Paired with a Sigma 16 mm f/1.4: amzn.to/3DPeEV4

[@alexwilson1913]

Such great info, thanks! One of these may be in my future. Side question, is storing a kayak outside in freezing weather a concern?

[@spiltmilt]

Not really just do your best to protect it from moisture and prevent snow build up if that is an issue where you live

[@sprmario123]

Ive been looking for them in north California and they are very hard to come by.

[@tamaslaszlo2796]

Use Navarre floating prop nuts! :)

[@spiltmilt]

I have them in my backup kit

[@tamaslaszlo2796]

@@spiltmilt they are worthless there :)

[@SithLordDarthBane]

I am moving from Hobie Outback to this platform…. I have two 2021 Outbacks with Hull issues that Hobie refuses to address because they said they are not near the water line. And the other because the scupper hole failed they replaced it and it failed again at one year and 1 month.. they said they only warranty the replacement hull 1 year. I just didn’t have a good experience so I am going to vote with my wallet.

[@Luhman]

Looking great dude, lost so much weight

[@spiltmilt]

Thank you! 👍

[@ivanpeckham]

I love your videos. However I think you're a little more organized than I ever could be. Which I appreciate! I have some questions I've been wanting to ask you. First off in regards to this video, I'm 6'4 maybe 210, do you think maybe I should get a little bit bigger version of this, maybe the Bigwater PDL? I would guess it is going to be a little bit slower than just 12' version. Also looking at the BKC PK 13. Next, does this mean you sold or got rid of your motorized version? With the stop lock? Also, I wondered if you ever dropped any of your rods in the water.. the first time I was fishing on a kayak, of course it was just a regular kayak so I didn't have Rod holders, I dropped two rods in the water while catching salmon. And lastly, how on Earth do you organize all of your gear in your home, with all the different types of fishing and gear creation that you do? Thanks again

[@spiltmilt]

I think you would be more comfortable in a larger higher capacity kayak like the Old Town Bigwater or Sportsman's PDL 120 or Hobie Pro Angler. The Bigwater PDL is just a tad slower and has a higher center of gravity making it a little tippier. I don't have any experience with Brooklyn kayaks so I can't speak to their comfort. I've only lost 1 rod in the water in 10+ years of kayak fishing As for organization I'll have to a do a video on that soon!

[@ivanpeckham]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. And I would definitely watch a video when organizing gear!

[@thehonfleur]

Great video! Any recommendations on specific aftermarket foot pedals like you have on yours? Cheers

[@spiltmilt]

These are the one's I use amzn.to/3wXS9ZX

[@thehonfleur]

@@spiltmilt Ty sir!

[@freshsaltyfries5078]

Great tip’s appreciate. Im stuck on pdl salty and hobie lynx im want something i can grab and go fish lakes and inside harbor as i dont have much time to fish and i dont pack alot of gear whats your thoughts

[@spiltmilt]

The Lynx is intriguing for its light weight but I have concerns about its durability. If just fishing harbors and small lakes the need for a big keel is negated so the Lynx might be a worthwhile consideration especially if you have a good way to transport it.

[@freshsaltyfries5078]

Thank you

[@roadvoyagerlife1759]

What are your thoughts about the Salty for skinny water creek fishing (paddle driven)? I'm in NW Arkansas and like to float some of the creeks in the area and they can get to be fairly shallow. I floated last year in a PDL106 and it involved a little more "labor" to maneuver in the current and shallows compared to a lighter sit-in.

[@spiltmilt]

It wouldn't be my first choice for creek water.

[@nicksenones205]

Anyone in the market for a fish finder, Sportsman's warehouse has the Helix 7 48% off, only $240!!

[@fr.billbaker6319]

I have a Chevy Equinox without racks on the roof. Do you have any recommendations on how I can put a kayak on top without having to drill holes in my roof?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes there are many solutions to this. Here is one example: yakima.com/products/baseline-system?_ga=2.78037524.1206769999.1667583929-1019749068.1666274556&_gac=1.250412660.1667097298.Cj0KCQjwnvOaBhDTARIsAJf8eVM6aWMXznnPK6u6xW0eMv6EZxJmivAUnYN6rbZzVSx4U9qkfy2HPTQaAhVOEALw_wcB

[@shapz9975]

I’m about 6’5 280lb and have been looking for a kayak that I can take in the skinny water where our boat can’t go. Ideally a pedal yak that can be transported from the truck bed. Personally I prefer old town as a brand but the kick up feature of the hobie fins is intriguing to what my applications would be. Do y’all have any recommendations?

[@spiltmilt]

I'd recommend the Pro Angler for you.

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

SHAPZ - I’m 5’9 and 225, and I went with a PA 12. It’s awesome for skinny water and stable for me. I have not surf launched it or taken it in the ocean yet.

[@Bubbles36DD]

Is this a Hobie we're talking (the Pro Angler)?

[@NorthwestOpenSeason]

@@Bubbles36DD yes, Hobie PA12

[@Bubbles36DD]

I guess I'll have check Hobie out as I'm in the same boat (pun) regarding weight.

[@tristenparsons8989]

I am six foot four And I weigh over two hundred pounds. Can you please recommend a larger pedal drive kyak?

[@spiltmilt]

1.) Hobie Pro Angler 12 or 14 2.) Old Town Sportsmans PDL 120 3.) Native Titan Propel 12 or 13.5 There are other pedal drive kayak manufacturers but I consider their pedal systems unreliable and thus don't recommend them.

[@tristenparsons8989]

Thank you!

[@babycheesa8020]

What’s the link to the pedals

[@spiltmilt]

Here you go amzn.to/3n98rgI

[@bo5258]

uv spray ?

[@spiltmilt]

Protectant

[@ehdcoyote]

Put some Power Punch on the gears

[@spiltmilt]

It's sealed. Unsealing it voids the warranty.

[@ehdcoyote]

@@spiltmilt after the warranty is up drill a little hole and and a few drops.then a dab of silicone to seal.

[@7Thunders777]

Lube Your drives. Vaseline even.

[@spiltmilt]

Its a sealed drive.