Same. Just bought the 120 . Had it out a few times now and love it. I don't get water coming up through the scuppers, I think its just the 106 that will do that?
Great video. I bought the same boat a year ago and definitely agree with the pros/cons you’ve mentioned. My biggest complaint is the water that gets in while standing and that waves will break over the bow if it’s very windy. You definitely will get a little wet when using this kayak haha. Overall though the kayak is excellent and in my opinion the pros 100% outweigh the cons. You did a great job showing anybody who is interested in buying one what to expect
Thanks! And yeah, completely agree. Every kayak is going to have some negatives but definitely feel like I got more than my money's worth with the Topwater.
First person I've seen show the water in the bottom. Seems fine in the summer although fishing for 4+ hours with wet feet seems like it would get annoying.. but when its 40F out that would be bad... im usually wearing sneakers in my current kayak at those temps
Thanks! Not usually. Sometimes when you get really big waves while you are traveling away from the wind but those are usually the times I question whether I should be out on the water or not.
Great. video. I just purchased the 120. I'm really interested in your kayak cart. Looks simple but effective. Can you post a video on how you made it? Thanks.
Great review and excellent mods. I recently sold my Big Rig with the idea of buying a Topwater 120 PDL. I can't wait to get it and add some of your mods. Where did you get the jump seat? I was considering upgrading to the predator seat but your idea may be even better and more economical. Tight lines!
Thanks Mike! $35 from Academy Sports and Outdoors. Here is a link. www.academy.com/shop/pdp/marine-raider-low-back-boat-seat-112936840#repChildCatSku=112936858 A few things to know. It ships with some long screws already inserted into in the base of the seat. Be sure to remove them or yeah, it feels like you are sitting on two screws. Also, put some foam / thick duct tape over the metal brackets and over the screws on the back so it does not tear up your Topwater seat.
Thanks! I ordered the rod holder, screws, and gasket from Old Town customer service. I believe with shipping it was $10 or $15. Sorry, don't have a video on how I installed it. It is the normal rod holder just inserted in the other direction. Only thing to watch out for is rudder cables.
Great, informative video! Random question. How wide is tour cooler? I’ll be getting this kayak shortly and want to know how wide of a cooler I can put in the back. Thanks in advance!
Great video & meaningful mods. I got my Topwater 106 PDL last summer & have slowly been making mods myself. Installing a forward facing rod holder this weekend. What fish finder do you use & how do you have it connected? Thanks!
Thanks! I have a Garmin Echomap 93sv. I attached a piece of wood to the bottom of the Garmin mount then screwed and zip tied a scotty mount to that. I used the Hobie through hull wiring kit to run the cables into the hull.
Enjoyed the review. Just ordered a Sportsmans 106 Paddle Model. Some of your tips will be helpful to me. Maybe consider the peddle model in a couple years. What type transport wheels are you using, they look lower than most that I have seen? Thanks
All good kayaks. The Predator is faster for sure but I think the Topwater/Sportsman is more stable. Have yet to hear of anyone turtling their Topwater but have heard of several doing it in their Predator. Good luck with your decision.
Quick question..(feel silly asking)...I purchased the replacement pedals you recommended. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to take the stock pedal shaft off and replace it with the new pedal shaft. Can you assist?
The right pedals loosen by turning counter-clockwise, left pedals loosen clockwise. There should be some RU-vid videos on replacing bicycle pedals. Threw me off at first to not thinking that the threads are different on the left and right pedal.
I simple screwed it straight to the kayak with some stainless steel screws. The short sections of conduit are zip tied down to the front piece. with a small screw through the front edge of the pvc conduit down into the hdpe material to help keep them from sliding.
Question, I really like the seat idea but the seat you put unit has that aluminum frame with the hard corners in the back, don’t those corners tear the material in the original seat? Thanks
the biggest concern is transport I have a small pickup with cover I want a kayak with pedals I used to paddle a lot in Hawaii but due a injury pedal be better for me now. how heavy is the kayak, and can you raise the pedal drive so it can be transported easier?
Hey Tommy, it is easy to transport. The drive can be lifted up so it is above the bottom of the boat and it can be easily removed. It weighs about 15 lbs. The boat without the drive is around 75lbs. I car top it so would be even easier to transport with a pickup. Just set one end up on the tailgate lift the other end up and slide it into the bed. The most you are lifting is around 35 or 40lbs.
There are some close ups of it at the 9:00 minute mark. Just made out of 3/4" pvc tubing and elbows. Spray painted it all grey after building. The back section is simply screwed into the top of the kayak with some long stainless screws. The front piece is just 3/4" pvc tubing straped to a piece of 1/4 hdpe cutting board material. Used zip ties for that and a small flush screw at the front tip of each tube to keep it from slipping forward. Also heated the end that you put the rod tip into with a propane torch and flared it out some by pushing a socket extension that had a flared end on it. Hope that helps.
Sorry, don't have a video on just the rod holder. But if you If view the Topwater PDL 1 year review video on my channel it goes into the horizontal rod holders in a little more in depth.
