4/30/2023 0 Comments Old town kayak![]() ![]() The tracks are made of strong plastic and seem to be durable. Additional rod holders and mounts can be added to the gear tracks in the cockpit area. The Topwater comes with two recessed rod holders accessible right behind the seat. The gear tracks allow you to mount accessories such as rod holders and electronics. A rectangular locking hatch is located right behind the seat, and the rear deck compartment is large enough to store a crate and other accessories. There is ample room under the seat, and a notched-out section in the rotomold allows for horizontal rod stowage. The cockpit has cubbies on each side for small tackle boxes or tools as well as the aforementioned storage box in the PDL Drive. The bow hatch is easily accessible and has a huge amount of storage space below. There are some pressure points from the tubing on the back rest, but this was easily solved by adding a rack pad to the seat back. The backrest reclines to your desired level of comfort for pedaling. The fabric can be tensioned slightly by stretching and securing with a velcro strip. It adjusts by moving forward and back on a track and is secured at the base by nylon straps. The seat is a lawn-chair style has an aluminum tube frame with a breathable mesh fabric. It has a tensioner knob that locks the rudder to assist with tracking while trolling, which this kayak really excels at. The steering on this boat is incredibly responsive, and with its short LOA it turns on a dime. It is controlled with a thru-hull cable system and control knob on the port side. Once you hit the water, the rudder is deployed by a handle on the starboard side. The retractable blade-style rudder is mounted to the transom and is conveniently up and out of the way during transport. This allows you to mount your transducer right in front of the drive in the underside hull cavity. The other is just in front of the pedal drive and protects the hull transducer mount. The stern plate is on the center of the keel, a typical problem area for wear and tear. It is fitted with two sacrificial skid plates. The patented DoubleU hull is quick and acceleration is prompt. Old Town boasts that this drive requires zero maintenance and comes with a 5-year warranty. After a dozen trips in fresh and saltwater I have seen no signs of corrosion. Unfortunately, it does not come standard with a deck plate to plug the drive cavity, but there are some aftermarket options available.Īs a precautionary measure, I took the advice from a dealer and coated the sheer pin with a waterproof anti-corrosive lubricant before use. In the upright position, it does leave a large opening in the cockpit. ![]() What’s really cool about this drive is the built-in dry storage box and a spring-loaded assist that pops the unit up and out of your way. The PDL Drive, which can propel the kayak forward and reverse, operates with a circular pedal motion. The Old Town Topwater PDL kayak is a serious fishing machine. Let’s take a look at the features on this cool pedal-powered fishing kayak. With a bit of knee grease, it can easily reach speeds of five-plus mph, even with a bigger guy like me in the cockpit. While its overall length measures only 10.5 feet, the 36-inch beam makes this little boat feel huge. After targeting multiple species on various bodies of water aboard the Old Town Topwater PDL Kayak on over a dozen fishing trips this winter, I can honestly say that this little boat is an incredibly versatile fishing machine. Initially, I was impressed with the Topwater PDL’s smaller streamlined design, its built-in features, and the modified pedal-drive design inherited from its big sibling, the Predator PDL. Last summer, I first laid eyes on Old Town’s newest offering when it debuted at ICAST in Orlando, FL. It is definitely one to consider when selecting a new fishing kayak. Take a closer look as we review this cool new fishing boat. Be on top of your game with the Old Town Topwater PDL. ![]()
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