Will This Electric Fishing Kayak Deliver The Hype? I Think So - Old Town e-PDL 132 Impression

Is the new Old Town ePDL + an electric kayak that's a game changer? Is it hype? Will time tell if it can withstand the use of dedicated anglers?
▬▬Kayak Info▬▬
Old Town ePDL - bit.ly/sportsm...
▬▬Bonus Weekly Videos!▬▬
Extra weekly raw or tactical videos are posted on the paid Patreon platform - subscribe here:
/ eliasvfishing

[@ReggieandMiloTheCat]

When (if?) I can afford a kayak someday, I will go back to your reviews because you don’t BS around when it comes to evaluating quality. You realize that anglers can be hard on equipment and salt water is everything’s worst enemy. Keep keeping it real Elias, you’re making us all a little smarter.

[@Brunnen_Gee]

I wish I could afford a kayak like that, it looks amazing. Guarantee that thing costs more than my car is worth.

[@WanderingYooper]

Can't wait to see you take it out fishing. love your honesty with your reviews. Great information always. 👍

[@m14hh5]

Even as a freshwater angler this is a pretty cool kayak. I like to try different spots on lakes and there is not always a lot of boat launches on some of the lakes I fish. I could see myself getting something like this in the future. I completely understand the thought process behind liking to be able to pedal and have that control of the kayak.

[@ChrisBhris222]

Old town is not playing games I love to see it ! Cheers to you aswell for always looking out for us the reviews are never bs !

[@wiredcroc2239]

My lure 13.5 I bought used then added a $50 40 lb minnkota on market place. Fabricated a mount and used existing pedal rudder system to steer. All in I’m at $1400. It does the job for my budget. I get 3-4 hrs of tooling around and occasional catch. $6500 is very pricey for a yak. Best in class perhaps. But not too many folks gonna dish out the dough.

[@tonynoon8693]

I have been fishing from my Predator PDL for about 5-6 years now and before that I fished from the Predator 13 since about 6 months after they came out. I love this boat and I am glad they went with the Bigwater hull. This is the first electric kayak that I want to own, pretty much for the reasons you suggested at the end. My top speed is 5mph for short distances. My cruising speed is around 3mph. If I could get a sustained speed of 5 mph it would open up a lot of water in my area, especially places like the Piscataqua and Merrimac rivers. I only wish they kept the mounting plates in the back for my pontoons. I feel like I need that extra bit of primary stability in some areas I fish in NH and Northern MA.

[@Chricke87]

It's weird reading comments and recognizing your homewaters mentioned haha. :)

[@nathanclark4674]

Good to see a homeboy posting here. Do you fish Great Bay much?

[@tonynoon8693]

Lol yeah I get that!

[@tonynoon8693]

@@nathanclark4674 not great bay. I have done Little Harbor quite a bit, but mostly I fish Hampton, Rye and Newburyport.

[@nathanclark4674]

@@tonynoon8693 Plum Island? The mouth of the Merrimack is infamous for rough tide changes. What kind of yak are you fishing from?

[@tribalncgaming1091]

had a pa14 for my first yak.. launched out of trailsend .. wandered around the marsh areas.. then thought i will just go to the inlet and fish along the rock jetty... got there just after high tide .. fished for an hour .. and needed to get back.. so going against the tide then the wind kicked up to 10-12 against me on the return as well took me 3 hrs to get back .. so many cramps.. went thru 5 liters of water.. had to try to walk on some shell islands to get the cramps out.. so been there done that.. lessons learned

[@InshorePursuitFL]

Looks amazing but the one thing is that it doesn’t have spot lock. Some anglers will still lean towards the autopilot motorized one because of that. But that one doesn’t have the PDL drive and this one does. Looks like a winner though!

[@grantd.5438]

Very cool ~ practical, reliable, and more advantageous for most scenarios? (I agree, TBD). Curious on weight, but will wait for those specs to drop on the Old Town site. Surprised this tech hasn't been included in PDL kayaks even >2 years ago since E-bikes have been around for a while.

[@Walt1119]

I really enjoy my Outback, have a motor on it also, but this looks really impressive! Thanks for sharing w us!

[@FishingFloridaWithKO]

It was cool to see you there my brother. I love the kayak as well. I'll keep my AP 120 and get this one as well as it gives you more piece of mind on the water fishing long hours and further distance.

[@robertstokes8169]

Exactly the same, i have AP 120 and was going to get Bigwater PDL and add a Torquedo type thing sometime, this is neater and ready to go, saving already so i can lend the AP120 to guests, can't wait

[@FishingFloridaWithKO]

@@robertstokes8169 best of both worlds 😎

[@davidcrowson4745]

That's a cool yak... I've been pleased with my 2018 predator never had one issue.. Old Town is quality products.

[@xsk3696]

Very interesting for a change of pace. When opening the video I almost didn’t recognize you without a beard. 😄

[@saltwaterbuffalo]

Always love ur honest reviews on everything u touch and use. As a fellow katak salrwater angler i don't want u to give a good review just because someone gives u a product. I want the truth so I can make a decision if its for me or not. As always thanks and keep up the good work

[@FrankLadd]

The only reason I'd like a an electric drive is for the spot lock feature. This new one is like my electric bike, but I don't think it would help me catch more fish. This system is much like my electric bike. I can paddle 20 miles but cannot pedal 20 miles so I think for most anglers who do not love long hours of paddling this boat will be great. Hope to see you using one, especially near bridges and jetties with current.

[@EliasVFishing]

Hopefully sooner than later. I'd like to see how it performs in those situations (current, jigging, multi-tasking, etc.)

[@jmnorris50]

Dude….the stache! LOVE IT, lookin like Ned Flanders out here. Keep rockin it

[@lee8287]

Also, I agree about drifting vs spotlocking. If I want to spotlock, I'll use my center console.

[@JeremyMartin-xq7pb]

That is brilliant. Something that is actually innovative at ICAST. I've avoided adding a motor to my kayak. This is something that I could see myself spending the extra money for.

[@JeremyMartin-xq7pb]

As I get older, I can see this sort of option as a huge addition to my ability to fish for longer periods of time. This could end up being my next kayak in a few years.

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

Look at that stash! Epic. I've tried a few kayaks and it's just not my thing. I like to be as far away from land as possible. And off AC,NJ I usually have a couple hours of ride in my boat to get to where I like. And I'm only usually doing around 18mph

[@wesleycurrin1457]

Nice review by you and Ryan

[@inshoreassassin]

Great video man this was the one I was waiting for with the right questions and answers. This is going to be a killer yak.

[@BobAquatic]

It’s a really cool idea for a kayak. I doubt I’ll move away from the Outback anytime soon though. I like the exercise.

[@bigjoefishing4068]

very interesting, might have to demo one when they are out

[@stevehogan8829]

Great Video Elias. You got the weight information which is what I was intersted in.... IF what Ryan says and OldTown CS says is true, then this is actually 30 lbs lighter than our 120 AutoPilot. Must be the difference in drive weight. I doubt they cut the thickness of the plastic. I've heard $5999.99 Delivery start in January 2024. Dealer availability may vary. The Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 costs $5,999.99 and includes a 36V lithium ion battery.

[@jasonstern6499]

Looks like a sweet boat, great review!

[@ericbregman5557]

The mustache is more badass then the kayak

[@SaltHoundHC]

I was hoping you had gone to icast and tested the epdl. You and Aliex will certainly give honest feedback, lol. Real question is, when is old town going to send you a courtesy test model to take off the beach a few miles? Knowing our area and how you fish, I'd love to see how it goes on a big pond trip.

[@finsandfossils]

Wow. That’s exciting. Looks like it’d be helpful around here. Guess I just need to win the lotto first.

[@GrimReaper68440]

This new Oldtown Bigwater 132e-pdl has a price tag of $5900.00. If you think 🤔 about it, it's a good deal. Why try buying a fishing kayak and outfitting it with a motor and battery. It will cost around the same price. Motor guide xi3 is about $ 1500.00 ,a lithium battery is about $500.00, $3600.00 for a good fishing kayak. $5600.00 give or take acouple hundred. Not included, wiring another$200.00 give or take acouple dollars. And the Oldtown Bigwater e-pdl is already wired and ready to go. So I think 🤔 yes it's worth the price. I own a Bigwater 132pdl and I love it. I'm saving my money for this new version Bigwater 132e-pdl . And I love the new color scheme. Anyway Elias take care, hope to see you on a new Oldtown Bigwater 132e-pdl ....

[@jbm135]

My wife just saw this kayak and asked if "I could fight the current in a kayak like this"? I love it when we are on the same page. When will this be available?

[@Wbfishingandsurfing]

That looks fun

[@barrylawrence5621]

Great review brother!

[@Redcrown48]

Great review, No autopilot, i don't know about that. it takes the range anxiety out gf the equation, 20amp 36V battery, that thing looked tiny.

[@ctcraftii]

Great review, thanks

[@secretjourney4815]

For me, it doesn’t make sense to lay out that kind of money. Honestly, the only advantage I see of this kayak over a 12 or 14 foot aluminum boat is the ability to launch in the surf. So for me, I’ll stick with the Standard Pedal Drive Hobie . Great review nonetheless. If money wasn’t an object, absolutely I would purchase. Thanks Elias.

[@marketinginmass]

Great review!

[@wbarney59]

Thanks Elias

[@TackleAdvisors]

Elias "The Hybrid" V

[@pj3039]

you can mount a trolling motor on a lighter hobie like passport or compass and have the same concept for half the cost

[@johnmcmanus123]

This is what would put me on the water I love it ,want it but to expensive for my disabled salary.

[@Endeavorfishing]

Bro that stash 👍

[@quick455]

So basically it's using the pedals for your forward and backwards switches when using cruise control mode instead of traditional switches or potentiometers unlike say the FeelFree units.

[@connor.....]

5:46: Did anyone notice the guy fall off the paddle board in the background or just me?😂😂

[@DiamondHead2010]

Haha thanks for that

[@BGS002]

feels like now the only reason to get the trolling motor version (other than physical disability) is if spot lock is critical to you.

[@EliasVFishing]

Hundred percent agree. It’s a good feature for a lot of stuff don’t get me wrong. But I think this version is better for me.

[@robertreinhold6720]

That is a sick stash brotatochip...

[@James-c4b7w]

What is your relationship to the “Soup Nazi?Just curious!! love the series.

[@d.faulkner8210]

For 6500 i think i would rather buy a small skiff, still have to register that craft and most those kayaks get about 5 mph tops.

[@stevehogan8829]

The Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 costs $5,999.99 and includes a 36V lithium ion battery.

[@reykennedy5716]

​@@stevehogan8829he's probably figuring taxes which are guaranteed

[@dabonemarrow5337]

Your awesome Alias you look so uncomfortable doing this, I know this ain't your thing!! But I care what your opinion is!! I'm similar to you more than you know. I think there's a lot of us!! It awesome that you share even if you don't feel comfortable!! Your great at it and it matters" the facts" Thank you !! Godspeed brother

[@fishinfromscratch5484]

Big question here. Can we purchase just the drive? I already own a sportsman 120pdl and someone needs to make a motor that fits in the drive spot.

[@deanfulford69]

That's one sweet kayak

[@mdublikesthestock9293]

This looks like a good platform and my only complaint is that it seems it only has rudder control on one side. I would miss that tremendously I believe if I moved away from my outback.

[@alexACR3167]

Elias, dont kid yourself.....manufacturer's are always much more successful if they listen to their customers...especially the customers who utilize their products and torture them. This new peddle drive system is a knock off of the e-bikes peddle asset drives which I think is a great design. Old Town has always been a company who listens to their customers and actually incorporates those ideas into their designs and products. I don't own a kayak due to having stenosis in my back so I fish out of my Xpress X19. My back just can't handle loading and unloading a kayak by myself. If I ever buy a kayak I would have to seriously look at a old town. What I don't understand except for cost is why have these kayak manufacturers not design a kayak drive system that is similar to a jet drive system on a jet sky. Basically a system where you wouldn't have to worry about taking the drive system out for shallow water running. I am a designer for NASA and I have had several rough designs on a tunnel ram drive system for a kayak but haven't pursued it. Maybe when I retire and I can concentrate on my design and then get it patented. I have tested my design on a cheap Walmart kayak that I tore apart and added my tunnel ram system and it works really well. The trick is trying to get the battery life up without compromising power. I utilized what a they call a dura-amp system which is basically taking current off a battery in cycles rather then direct. Basically it allows for about a 48% increase battery life. Minkota actually uses a similar dura-amp system that has been modified which increases battery life. I like the fact that old town has opened up the storage area in the back. Elias....being a critical angler mean dollar signs for old town. What I would like to see in this new peddle drive system is a spot lock feature. Basically when put in spot lock the system would change over to a swiveled shift drive which would allow GPS lock to work. Of course this would increase the price but if you look at these new minkotas, garmans, Lowrance ghosts and motor guide...your are looking at 2900-4k depending on which one you get. Great video and Old Town will listen to you. Great job.

[@EliasVFishing]

Good comment. I think if the market is there people will pay. We all scoffed and laughed at the ProAngler years ago but now it’s Hobies best seller over what we preferred. Everything sure has its speciality. Hopefully you can get your design out there some day it sure sounds cool. Every organization is different. Some love a critical angler others hate it. I’ve seen both sides of it over the years.

[@huckfin1100]

Here is my technical input, lets make a motor/pedal kayak where the more you pedal the more you keep the battery charged, integrate the pedal cranking power so that its charging the battery !

[@Brunnen_Gee]

The lake I fish these days is mostly other people dilly dallying on it. Not many of us dedicated anglers out there. Daggum recreationalists! 😆

[@jaredking1334]

Ask them if they are going to make that drive fit the old models. It looks like it should, does it?

[@phyxp12345]

very very cool ride I just can't justify that price

[@SystemFreak17]

Where does the ePDL fall with registration? in Louisiana, adding a trolling motor to a kayak makes it necessary to register with LDWF

[@EliasVFishing]

I'm guessing you'll have to register it. I could be wrong though.

[@rayb2208]

Who would honestly know it's power assisted? Can't see anyone checking and giving you a hard time. Just keep your feet on the pedals....haha

[@rocknut88]

Great video elias appreciate your insight as always. I'd be curious to find out if this drive would work in the 120 series pdl as well with a simple install of a battery and wiring harness and a few of the safety switches seems like it would be very do able.

[@rayb2208]

Does not work in any other model because it's prewired and setup for this kayak only

[@bucfan23]

Incredible advancement. I’m waiting for a rechargeable self contained drive. No external wires/plugs. Until then I continue to pedal.

[@EliasVFishing]

That’ll be cool!

[@CrazyCranker]

At $5999.99 (not including sales tax) It's out of my price league. :( Last year, I added a motor to my 2015 Hobie PA12. For guys that already have a motor, it's going to be a hard sell to dump & jump platforms. On the flip side, if you got the cash it looks like a solid option. :)

[@TwoStageTrigger]

They basically made the pdl drive work like an ebike The battery helps you wjen you need it, but overall it can run normally when the battery is dead.

[@soulehawk]

What's the one you have with trolling motor and spot lock?

[@undisputedtruth4954]

Well, now I can be patient, grab the new one when it's released, and stop looking for the old motorized Predator. I don't think anything on the market touches the Predator/Bigwater kayaks...and there's an e-bike motor that built into the always available pdl. I'm in.

[@ronkrauser1543]

Interesting

[@AmbitiousAnglerFishing]

I can seeing it being a hit for anyone wanting to pay that kind of money for it. Personally, it's cheaper to just mount a trolling motor to a normal PDL kayak and get yourself a bigger battery (50-100ah). I think they would have had more success just making retrofitting ones for all the Oldtown PDL models.

[@jaychino1621]

Imagine using a 750-watt Bafang motor in this system. Hybrid system with killer speed!

[@YTFishingKif]

Waww mantap sekali tripnya mister salam strike👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@12Monk85]

Elias, do you have information when the product release?

[@EliasVFishing]

I do not

[@bryankeating8440]

I don’t know if I like that connector on the top side. Seems cheap. I’ve had a battery charger with that connection on my boat that got the green crusties pretty quickly.

[@Queenbits]

can't wait to see you fish on ocean with it.... :)

[@ikashibimauler]

My big thing is how will it turn off when I run up on that oyster bar when I'm moving (which I do too much)... Right now I just stop instantly pedaling. I have never had my drive pop up but Ive banged up a lot of propellers. I bet this thing will break props and shear pins like a mofo.

[@bigd3721]

i had a feeling you were from wilmington NC

[@EliasVFishing]

Year 6

[@bigd3721]

@@EliasVFishing 3 for me

[@TopsailFishing]

Are those considered a powered vessel for registering?

[@EliasVFishing]

I'd think these would need to be registered but I could be wrong. Didn't ask that question.

[@wadeirwin7003]

In Va. you would have to register that yak.

[@stevehogan8829]

They must be registered in Florida. The fact that it is an electric motor doesn't change that. I must register my 120 Auto Pilot also.

[@TopsailFishing]

@@stevehogan8829 I figure they would, but the electric didn’t throw me off, more so the assist part. Like a kid can drive an e bike that helps with peddling but couldn’t rent an electric scooter. But I guess since this has an auto pilot feature then it’s definitely a motor class vessel. Does it have to have green and red lights too or just the standard white kayak light?

[@rayb2208]

Who's really gonna check? It has pedals unlike the the ipilot so I honestly wouldn't register it

[@tomearly111]

It will be interesting how much they are going to charge for that set up. Especially since it ships with the battery.

[@TridentDriver]

5,999

[@stevehogan8829]

$5999.99

[@tomearly111]

@@stevehogan8829 Love the kayak but if I went out and spent 6 grand on a kayak I probably would have to choose the kayak or my wife lol.

[@hypotheticalangler6936]

Hmmmm… did they change the prop nut design?

[@EliasVFishing]

I think so...

[@Bearacooter]

Should have just started fishing in the lake while test driving lol

[@walte99]

Price? Thrust pounds and top speed? Spot lock? No What about a Xi3 on a Sportsman 120 pdl? (120 carries more weight than the 132 and I need that.) At Eco Fishing Shop, that combo is $50 less than the Autopilot 120. Or you could put a Newport Vessels 24v on the rear and that would be about $500 less.

[@WAEofFishing]

I had to miss iCast this year. Killing me

[@SD-ft6gs]

Here is the thing, this set up will probably retail between $6500 and $8000. This while the cost for the hull to manufacture is about $150 and the drive which most likely is a Bosch electric bike motor is about $200 and the battery $100... sure there is a lot of valuable integration work but really no reason for the excessive mark up which than competes with a more useful used boat or even a new rotomolded one (like the Tuffy) or an alu one. I just wish Old town and other manufacturers would stop emulating Hobie and stay within the $3000 top price for a plastic Kayak. It is really frustrating and counter to the ethos of Kayak fishing that these luxo barges, have become the thing people aspire to get, when you can do the majority of the work you need (even deep sea fishing) with a $1000 Yak. anyways, we are getting closer to what motorized kayaks should be, and it's amazing it has take this long considering the progress of eBikes.

[@RyanLl1992]

The biggest drawback of old town is transportation. The wilderness system cart is great. It’s bulky to store. I wish the scupper hole wheels was feasible

[@lee8287]

Cant wait to tell my wife what I'm using my next bonus on

[@jerry-381]

Old Town does things right and this kayak seems like it's no exception. We've seen the kayak market "top out" in terms of kayak price with the Hobie Pro Angler 360. They didn't sell nearly as well as Hobie thought they would and the price point is the biggest reason. At 6 grand I feel like this kayak might be in that same category but time will tell. Definitely will be a narrower market.

[@reykennedy5716]

Well, it and everything else they sell have seen major price jumps in the last three years as well. The 14 was sub 5k when it came out... I believe 44 or 4600? The inflation has been killer on Hobies

[@kenny_n4744]

Is it just me or does it seem strange that the ePDL costs more than the iPilot?

[@stansmith7118]

I have a 2015 Oldtown with the same hull design. It rides great in ruff water. Has anyone seen the price on this yet? I know you can pre order one now. Thanks.

[@masonburden4393]

6000$

[@robertlegg8229]

How much, in total, does it weigh?

[@EliasVFishing]

Not sure on that one.

[@Ryan_Pelletier]

Just shy of 150lbs

[@simonemidy4259]

Cost?

[@stevehogan8829]

The Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 costs $5,999.99 and includes a 36V lithium ion battery.

[@phillamoore157]

Absolutely, love what these companies are coming out with. But, until they can compete with the price of buying a cheap (easily modifiable) 55lb trolling motor, with a lithium battery....then, these are going to be toys only the rich can afford. I'd be concerned about using it in Salt, as well. I believe Elias addressed that, but, until 50 of these get put through their paces by these hardcore fisherman, we just won't know what the durability of these truly are. Not knocking Old Town in the least....I"m a HUGE an of that company. Just saying that, until you put these in a real-world environment, you don't truly know what kind of punishment they can endure. And, until I see 2yrs of reviews, I won't feel comfortable dropping what will probably be well north of $3K. Looks like an absolute blast, though.

[@jayzhou104]

6000 is big no no. They should match the hobie 360 pricing at 4999 or 4499

[@Captain_Kdawg]

You getting one?

[@EliasVFishing]

Id like to when it becomes available.

[@billmoss5624]

👍😎✌

[@anthonyjames5372]

so you are losing the spot-lock ... just thinking about that Florida fishing

[@EliasVFishing]

I rarely used spot lock there. Mostly drift fishing. I rather cover more water and hit more areas personally.

[@thegrimshot]

wow thats quite the 70's pornstache. :D..love your channel. take care

[@jborselli15]

Price isn’t that cool though lol. Looks like a blast wish it wasn’t so much $

[@zachlannon6958]

Not to be jerk, but lets call this what it really is, at this point its a micro skiff or cross over, not so much a kayak. Similar to a gheenoe and canoe being similar but not really the same thing. Don't get me wrong, it looks like a fun rig but its hard to really compare a traditional "sit on top kayak" to what this and hobie and others have become. It's a shame old town killed off Ocean kayak and affordable sit on top fishing kayaks of quality in the name of profit.

[@LanceMcCormick]

Not a yak! It's a electric boat!

[@guysanderson621]

Lets see first... then ?????

[@Obxhatman]

Hmm , pretty sure I did do a comment yesterday with some solid input and somehow it was deleted? Interesting.....Old Town Botched this Kayak. Big Time. Not enough space in front of the seated position , to much rear space , shifting weight around is a no go. No spot lock , big huge deal. Old Town already has the autopilot which surpasses everything on the water. I own a Autopilot 136. If you want an even better setup , buy a Radar 135 , with peddles , 2600 , a spot lock capable trolling motor with remote control , bow mount it , another 1500 to 2000 with a battery. Then you have superior cabin layout , superior control with a motor, superior paddling , superior peddling with instant reverse, and spot lock and on a 100 AH battery , can literally travel 15 to 20 miles without a issue. It will cost 2000 less than this setup.

[@EliasVFishing]

I def didn’t delete it. Maybe the censor snatched it up.

[@Obxhatman]

@@EliasVFishing Yeah I figured you did not , weird , it was very detailed took me like a hour ...Oh well I did the short version

[@bentaylor4570]

Where is the hat?

[@micahmarz]

Too over priced when you can buy a PDL and a separate motor like the bixpy for under 3700.

[@EliasVFishing]

Still have never seen a bixpy on the water anywhere near me.