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Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
#12835341
07/20/18 04:33 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
GunTotnHippie
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2 |
Hello All! Just like the title says I am trying to figure out which kayak to buy. There are no demos/dealers within 2-3 hours that have either kayak to demo. I know the Topwater PDL isn't out yet so I've been looking for the Predator PDL version as a comparison because its the same drive.
I am looking for the lightest easiest to carry with the option to go between peddling, paddling and motorized. Stability is important but still want to be able to paddle in the river in my backyard. Access to some rivers means I am carrying the kayak or dragging it. I am a minimalist fisherman so all the extra storage just adds weight for me. Without feeling the gear ratio of each kayak I like to get some feedback from both sides if possible. Here is what I have put together so far...
Old Town TopWater PDL Angler 79lbs L 10' 6" W 36" Gearing 10.3:1 Draft 6" Top Speed 5.5 Accessories: Fishfinder GPS, Pedal, paddle Extras: Drive Floats, Transducer mount What I like most: light weight, stackable (will be buying more for kids), price, comes with drive, comes with $275 fish finder, stability 36" width Cons: Being new and untested, no swapable foot pad for river rafting (i can probably mod one though fairly easy), no height adjustable seat (Old Town says its designed for peddling but no mention of paddling) Notes: Gearing seems like it will produce more torque due to the lower gearing, wider beam maybe be harder to paddle?
Wilderness Systems Radar 115 85lbs L 11' 8" W 34.5" Gear Ratio 6:1 14x17 2 bladed Side Handles: Yes / Inside Extras: Has paddle holder upfront, Height Adjustable Seat What I like the most: ability to mod it with a trolling motor and the seat height adjust-ability for rivers and large body water, drive comes up with single press of the foot Cons: weight Notes: Gearing sounds like it will be easier to paddle long distance
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Re: Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
[Re: GunTotnHippie]
#12835364
07/20/18 04:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998
Tallgrass05
bill maher's protege
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bill maher's protege
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 43,998 |
"peddling, paddling and motorized" I don't think any true pedal kayak will paddle well, except perhaps the Santa Cruz Raptor 2. Motorized? Check out adding a Bixpy to a kayak. https://bixpy.com/bixpy-kayak-jet/
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Re: Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
[Re: GunTotnHippie]
#12837279
07/22/18 12:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,220
Jimbo
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,220 |
The Wilderness Systems kayak is time proven, and it being even only a foot longer makes a difference when it comes to tracking and paddling. The minimal weight difference isn't enough to offset the other advantages.
Just one more cast!
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Re: Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
[Re: Jimbo]
#12838276
07/23/18 07:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2
GunTotnHippie
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 2 |
Good point. I've asked around and from what I hear the PDL drive is built and feels a lot better than Wilderness. But the main feature that brings me back to the Radar is the quick release on the peddle. I do not like the rudder control design and I do not like the floor plan as your feet are pretty much locked in on the right and left. The internal side handles are also a turn off because I like to be able to get a good grip on the sides and lift it into the back of my truck. I think I am going to hold off another month to see more reviews of the topwater before jumping in. If the speed of the topwater is there and it paddles good then I am pretty sure I am going that route. $1750 for a peddle drive 36", 79lbs kayak makes it pretty darn hard to pass up ($250 for the fishfinder). I am also going to be buying 3 of them (wife and daughter) and being stackable is going to be great for storage and traveling. We were going to purchase Hobie Compass but the standing platform turned us off. I would deal with mirage drive IF the compass was a good standing platform. 60-80lbs standing peddle kayak is what we are trying to find but not many choices. Thanks!
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Re: Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
[Re: GunTotnHippie]
#12838707
07/23/18 04:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 99
hurricanecraig
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 99 |
The Radar is a great Kayak. I've only used it for paddling the 135 model, but it tracks well and is very stable. It's also substantially lighter than my ATAK 140.
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Re: Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
[Re: GunTotnHippie]
#12845154
07/28/18 03:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 407
Clay34
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 407 |
I think that they will introduce a 12' 120 with the pdl soon (if not this year next year). That might interest me more than the 10' boat. I will be interested in seeing what happens at the end of Aug with the Paddle Sports Retailer show: https://www.paddlesportsretailer.com/ICAST is not the end of the introductions for next year, the next new wave of boats will show up at the end of Aug for a 2019 release date. If you want a boat still this year, and like the 10' style the new Topwater seems to be a nice boat in that length.
Many go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not the fish that they are after. Henry David Thoreau
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Re: Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
[Re: GunTotnHippie]
#12845267
07/28/18 07:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,797
CCTX
mapquest
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mapquest
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 40,797 |
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Re: Wilderness Systems Radar 115 vs Old Town Topwater PDL Angler?
[Re: GunTotnHippie]
#12847532
07/31/18 01:57 AM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 984
The Black Hammer
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 984 |
I'll be at the paddle sports retailer show for a few days too...
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