Old Town Fishing Kayaks: The Full Sportsman Lineup Compared (2026)

TL;DR — the Old Town Sportsman lineup

Use case	Model	Why
Best overall	Sportsman PDL 106	DoubleU hull + forward/reverse pedals, transportable
Best paddle / value	Sportsman 106	Same stable hull, paddle-powered, ~$1,049
Best bigger pedal	Sportsman PDL 120	12', 450 lb capacity, planted standing platform
Best bigger paddle	Sportsman 120	More room and tracking, still paddle-simple
Best motorized	Sportsman AutoPilot 120	Minn Kota motor + GPS Spot-Lock, hands-free anchoring
Best for saltwater	Sportsman Salty PDL 120	Corrosion-ready pedal kayak for the coast

Why Old Town?

Old Town has built boats in Maine since 1898 and is now part of Johnson Outdoors — the same group that owns Minn Kota. That ownership matters: it's why the motorized Sportsman AutoPilot integrates a Minn Kota trolling motor and GPS Spot-Lock so seamlessly. Across the range, the draw is the same: the DoubleU pontoon hull, which gives the kind of standing-stable platform that makes these kayaks a favorite of serious anglers.

Old Town's DoubleU hull is the most stand-and-fish-confident hull I've spent time on. It's not the lightest or cheapest brand, but if stability is your priority — and for sight fishing or bigger anglers it should be — Old Town is the benchmark everyone else gets measured against.

How the Sportsman lineup breaks down

Three things separate the models: propulsion, size, and environment.

• Propulsion — paddle (cheapest, simplest), PDL (pedal, hands-free forward/reverse), AutoPilot (motorized with Minn Kota Spot-Lock).
• Size — the 106 (10'6") is compact and easier to transport; the 120 (12') adds capacity, tracking and standing stability; there's also a 136 for the biggest needs.
• Environment — the Salty versions add corrosion-resistant hardware for coastal and saltwater use.

For the propulsion decision in depth, see our best pedal fishing kayaks guide (PDL is a propeller drive) and the propulsion section of our best fishing kayaks guide.

The models in detail

Sportsman 106 (paddle) — best value entry

The paddle Sportsman 106 is the most affordable way into the lineup at ~$1,049, and it shares the same ultra-stable DoubleU hull, accessory tracks, cushioned floor and custom tackle box as its pricier siblings. Light enough to car-top. The smart pick if you want Old Town stability without pedal or motor cost.

Sportsman PDL 106 (pedal) — best overall

Our overall Old Town pick (and a category benchmark). The forward/reverse PDL propeller drive gives true hands-free fishing, the drive kicks up in the shallows, and the compact 10'6" length keeps it transportable. ~$2,199.

Sportsman PDL 120 (pedal) — best bigger pedal

The 12-foot PDL adds a 450 lb capacity and a more planted standing platform for larger anglers and bigger water, with the same forward/reverse drive. ~$2,899.

Sportsman 120 (paddle) — best bigger paddle

For anglers who want the larger 12-foot hull's room and tracking but prefer paddle simplicity (and a lower price than the pedal version), around $1,299.

Sportsman AutoPilot 120 (motorized) — best motorized

The high-end machine. A built-in, GPS-enabled Minn Kota trolling motor drives and steers via a Bluetooth i-Pilot remote, and Spot-Lock holds your position automatically so both hands stay free. A 558 lb max capacity hauls serious gear. It needs a battery (not included) and runs ~$4,499 — but nothing else fishes quite like it.

Sportsman Salty PDL 120 (saltwater pedal) — best for the coast

A PDL 120 built for salt, with corrosion-resistant components for inshore and coastal anglers. ~$3,199.

Old Town vs the competition

Old Town sits at the premium end. If you want a more affordable brand, Pelican's Catch lineup covers similar use cases for less (with lighter-duty hulls and lower capacities). For the premium fin-drive alternative, Hobie's MirageDrive kayaks compete with the PDL models — we cover both in our best pedal fishing kayaks guide.

Bottom line

For most anglers, the Old Town Sportsman PDL 106 is the best Old Town fishing kayak in 2026 — the brand's stability hallmark plus hands-free pedaling in a transportable size. Save with the paddle Sportsman 106, size up to the PDL 120 for big water, or go motorized with the AutoPilot 120. Whichever you pick, don't forget a paddle and a PFD.