What's The Difference?! 5 Open Cockpit Recreational Kayaks Compared - Part 1

Dan compares popular open cockpit recreational kayaks; the Old Town Loon, Old Town Sorrento, Liquidlogic Saluda, Wilderness Systems Pungo, and Eddyline Sandpiper.
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[@exrhodie1234]

Excellent video and glad I found you! I have the Old Town Sorrento 126 and my wife has the Old Town Loon 106 Angler since she's the fisher in the family. Both are excellent boats and we've had them for 3 years with no problems. Both are comfortable and we can easily spend a full day on the water. The skeg on my Sorrento is handy in open water paddling in bigger waves or windy conditions. However, I did break it once during transit and had to replace the spring, so I take your point on potential problems with moving parts. The Sorrento has enough cockpit space for my dog to ride up front of me and I can still paddle fine. I did have to put some non-slip tape inside the boat to stop his paws sliding all over.

[@troysnow3978]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for! Nicely done and I can’t wait part 2!!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

It’s out now!

[@chantallabelle8571]

I have a Sandpiper 12 and I really like it. The light weight is a big plus to easily put it on top of my car and so enjoyable to paddle

[@ViDU2ube]

Exactly what I wanted to be informed about regarding these Kayaks. Thank you!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I’m glad it helped!

[@SteveHarrellRally]

Minor detail, but it's also worth pointing out that the hatch on the Pungo has little holes in the levers so you can lock the hatch with a small padlock. The only lockable kayak hatch I've come across so far

[@HipOperation99]

That saluda is giving the pungo a run for its money. Seat looks more comfy, cargo hatch superior.. other than that they look pretty similar in shape. Interested to hear about the paddling comparisons!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Next week! The Saluda got a lot of miles on our fleet this year. Seth did a ton of filming out of it, and I used it to get friends and family on the water. It’s a fanatic design.

[@HeidiC51]

Can’t wait for the on water testing reviews to see how they compare. I’m torn between the Loon & Pungo. Take my dog all the time & he’s a beast (double the size we were told he’d be 🤣) so definitely needing the big open area that can hold some weight! 14’ might be in my future.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Hard to go wrong with either of those choices. The Loon might offer more stability but not much.

[@Speederaser84]

Would love to see a comparison of kayaks designed for kids. My 8 year old just upgraded from a 6ft sit on top to a Perception Prodigy XS. We also looked at the Old Town Heron Junior but we couldnt actually physically check out any of them here in Arizona. Had to make a decision based on internet information only. Very little information and very little availability for kids recreational kayaks.

[@girlinvt]

I've had my Eddyline Sandpiper for almost 20 years. It's a great boat, from big waves on Lake Champlain, to a week long trip on the Hudson River it handled it with ease. It just glides with minimal drag and is responsive. You can even greenland roll it with a fully open cockpit. I'm keeping mine until I'm to old to go.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Greenland rolling eh? 🤔

[@groovymoon]

Great Video. I have a Pungo 120. My feet are size 12. I find that my feet are cramped vertically. Is there more vertical room in the Loon? I am thinking of getting a Loon 120.

[@JasonSatterwhite]

The Bonafide EX123 would have been another great boat to include in this review. Very similar to the Saluda and Pungo

[@FlashToast]

Came here to say this. Curious what he might make of it.

[@JerrySorn]

Been enjoying this channel for years, now really ready to upgrade, do: where oh where can I actually BUY a Pungo or Saluda? I'm in range of Atlanta and Chattanooga but can't sem to find any b&m retailers that carry them. Also: Is the Pelican brand not considered as a serious yak option? Their Sprint XR series (their top of line sit ins) look really well done.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Pelicans are you yaks. The parts just don’t hold up to real use.

[@davidmiller4594]

Would love to see you add Hurricane Kayaks to your comparisons.

[@edhartman6891]

Jackson tupelo 12.5 would be an interesting comparison

[@Susie98052]

I almost got the old town loon, but the one I looked at was three layers and you're saying it's roto mold? The reason I went with WS Punto was the weight. There was a huge difference - but if I could find the angler boat for my husband. This might call for another trip down to REI or Cabella's

[@HipOperation99]

I got a couple older Pungo 120s used for $250 and $300 , but if I was to buy a brand new one i think I would be most interested in the saluda.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

That’s a great find!

[@Absecon116]

I wish you would review the old town Loon 120. In have a Loon & 106 love it for class 1. & class 2 rivers but it is very slow. No one has compared the performance of the Loon 120 and the Pungo 120.

[@allonsy9808]

I've been torn between the Pungo 125 and the Sandpiper 130. I love the Sandpiper 130's double bulkheads, but I do NOT like the seat. lol I prefer the more traditional seat. I find with higher seat backs I tend to lean forward. LOL Strange, I know. This a great comparison because I've also looked at the Loon as well. I appreciate seeing them all in one video. Thank you!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Happy to help. Check out the Sandpiper 120! It has a traditional style seat and it’s a little bit cheaper.

[@allonsy9808]

@@HeadwatersKayak It's a great kayak, for sure! Unfortunately, it doesn't quite have the capacity I'd like in order to do a few nights of kayak camping. 🙂 (And, at the moment, I'm not as...light as I could be--ugh.)

[@TXGirl6]

Have you ever reviewed the WS Aspire 100/105? I’ve been debating between the WS Aspire 105, Pungo 105 and 120. I currently own a ‘22 model WS Tarpon 105 and love it. I found a great deal on an Aspire 105 display model and the retractable skeg looks sweet. Haven’t pulled the trigger yet. I’m 5’7”/ 185lbs so I feel I could fit any of these boats. I only paddle small lakes and rivers here in the south, maybe a bay or two along the Floribama coast. NO open waters. Any feedback would be appreciated😊

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Those are great boats. I have not reviewed one yet but wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

[@drayke6936]

I really like that eddyline. I bought a lifetime charger from Wal-Mart as a starting kayak. Im definitely gonna look at something different in the near future. What's the weight limit on the edfyline?

[@girlinvt]

An Eddyline is a Cadillac compared to the heavy roto molded kayaks. It glides with minimal effort. It can handle waves, is stable and light. I have an early Sandpiper that's pushing 20 and I still get people talking about how good it looks. Other than a wood kayak, I want to build. There is no other kayak I want or need.

[@mikeseverin9645]

Failed to mention the old town loon is a 3 layer hull (plastic-foam-plastic) which provides buoyancy and great reliability. They don't give lifetime guarantees lightly.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

I stand corrected. I totally missed this. I wish I would have mentioned this in the review.

[@mikeseverin9645]

@@HeadwatersKayak well check the old town site the loon is listed as 3 layer poly, the Sorrento is a single.

[@ethanebersold]

Scratch through thinner outer layer and you have exposed foam interior laminate which gets crusty upon exposure. For abrasion, Poly 3 layer is not superior. Gives stiffness at lighter weight is main benefit.

[@ryanlillypad]

@@HeadwatersKayak Ryan Lilly here with Old Town - all Loon models are 3-layer rotomolded. The Sorrento is a single-layer rotomolded. Thanks!

[@HeadwatersKayak]

@@ryanlillypad Thanks for chiming in. I stand corrected. I updated my response. I wish I would have know this so I could have included this in my reivew.

[@BobBohner4851]

Fantastic info. Wouldn’t a beginner be much better off with front and real flotation tanks or not?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Ideally everyone would, but it’s most important for folks paddling far from shore.

[@BobBohner4851]

@@HeadwatersKayak good point. And they can always put in a float bath

[@AdarshGupta-be8gf]

I’ve been obsessing about the Eddyline sandpiper 130. But I’m thinking that maybe the Loon 126 might be a more versatile, practical and vfm kayak for me. What do you think?

[@AdarshGupta-be8gf]

After seeing the full review, I’m back at the Sandpiper 130. 😂 Will try and test it out in the 15th at Lodi.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

The Eddyline is in a completely different class. If it’s in your budget you won’t regret spending a few bucks extra.

[@AdarshGupta-be8gf]

@@HeadwatersKayak Thank you. I love your reviews and look forward to visiting you all on the 15th.

[@HipOperation99]

I’m 6’3 and don’t fit in the pungo if the console is installed. But I suppose I have my legs more bent than the typical kayaker.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Thanks for the feedback. How long are your legs.

[@tonylong9773]

I'm going to get the old town loon. My question is. What's the difference of a 106 and 126. I'm floating the river, and it turns into a lake.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

If you’re going to be paddling any decent distance across the lake, definitely go with the 126! 10 foot boats just have a hard time with open water.

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

I know it's the wrong season to do this but i hope you show just how difficult it is to self-rescue (or even assisted rescue) in deep water using all of the kayaks without proper bow buoyancy.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

We did that two videos ago.

[@somethingsomethang]

The bonafide ex123 is better than the old town loon and the sorrento…minus the skeg on the sorrento.

[@stitchg6060]

Do you have your own store you sell kayak’s?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

No I don’t. We sold our retail shop in 2020. Now I work with the best shops in the west selling them kayak brands I represent. Eddyline, Feelfree, stellar, etc.

[@waynobots]

Just bought Sandpiper 130 damaged in shipment for 800.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Sweet!

[@mcjondumoran7472]

Hi Uncle Im Mc Jon Dumoran From Philippines. My dream is to have a kayak. Because we are close to the sea. And we also have another dish. I am a student and we are just poor. No More Christmas Mass Gift Jan?

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Hey Uncle thanks for the comment. Merry Christmas. Shipping to Philippines would be very expensive. I hope you can find a way to get out there and enjoy the waters near you. ❤️

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

There are various kayak brands made in Philippines. I'm no expert, so do your own research. You ought to be able to find some at good prices.

[@billb3374]

I'm jealous your water is still liquid. The water here is a solid not the best for paddling.

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Bummer!