Good ideas for sure. I use a "clamp on" goose neck camera mount for the front and just clamp it on the handle. Excellent video. I'm going to check out your videos now. Keep them coming.
I like what you did. I’m in Florida and am researching buying a kayak. I’m older but have just lost a lot of weight , 27lbs. I live in a community with old mine pits and have been fishing out of Jon boat that my son owns. Just trying to decide which yak to buy at this point. Thanks for info.
Great mods. SOMDer here. I just picked up a Sportman 106 PDL and I was looking for some options to mount the Boonedox without obstructing the rudder lever. Your solution looks perfect to clear it and it's great how it reinforces the mounting points as well. An easy upgrade recommendation for your seat risers, hit them with a good coating of rattle can bed liner. UV resistant, waterproof, non skid, quick and easy. Best of all you have a factory looking finish that protects the wood so you will never have to replace them (unless you lose one 😂).
@@ChesapeakeAngler I haven't been fishing in over a decade and I'm starting from scratch not even a rod, but I'm eager to get out there. I've just got to figure out what gear I need for the area, so I'll be trolling your videos for recommendations. I'm coming out of Cuckold Creek not far from Clark's Landing so it looks like we're in the same waters.
Excellent mods and great video. Really love that loading cart you built. I have the PDL 106. Great, great kayaks. Made some similar mods on mine and put out a video about a year ago. Subscribed. Good luck fishing. ThePentUpAngler
Great video! I raised my seat up with simply laying a plank under each side which raised it about 1 1/2" and couldn't believe the difference on my tailbone. I've already got a scrap piece of 2X4 that I'll use to copy your design because a little higher will be great. I did my Lowarance Hook2 7 tripleshot on the same side and run the battery from the hatch under the seat. I feel I should have run the wires thru the top rail instead of inside because my right foot hits the wires where they exit the hull. Thanks for your insight!
Mike Barkell I went back and forth on wire placement for the through hull. I haven’t had any issues - I ran them out of the hatch for a while until I determined that was the best spot for me for the fish finder. #tightlines
I am doing something similar to my seat on the sportsman 106. It is fine stock for cruising around but I find myself sitting up on the edge of it when I am actually fishing. Hopefully leveling it out will let me sit back and cast.
I didn't raise the front but instead just adjusted seat back backwards. It works fine - but I do know there are some solutions out there to also raise the front. I'll dig around and see what I can find.
Contact Justin Branam on DSKA, or TKF on Fb for a drive plate insert. He recently made some front seat risers that go under the seat tracks to raise it 3/4". This is the maximum you can raise it and keep the seat within the gunnels. I installed Version 1 on my PDL 106 and LOVE it. I was surprised by the difference it makes, but 3/4" when it raises just your legs is a big difference.
Great video. I'm picking up my 120 next week. I like the addition of the reinforcing plates to support the hull with installation of the landing gear. Have you noticed any flexing or twisting of the hull with the landing gear? Thanks.
Matt O I can see a little flexing but not enough to worry about. I think that’s normal. One word of caution - don’t store the boat on the wheels! Doing that will put the hull under continual stress. So use the wheels for movement but not storage. And welcome to the family of a great boat!!! You’ll love it. Make sure to subscribe for more videos featuring my 120! #tightlines
Only Old Town can answer that question but I’m not too worried about it. My boat is a tool for enjoyment and to maximize that enjoyment I need to customize it to make it mine. That is my approach but everyone has their own acceptable level of risk when it comes to stuff like that.
The topwater has a universal mounting plate and a pass-through for the transducer cable. I used a YakAttack through hull kit to pass the cable into the bow and then a second through hull kit to bring both the power and transducer cable to the FF. I used a plastic housing to wrap both wires and pinched them with zip ties. I can post pics if that would help
@@ChesapeakeAngler Your comment explains it well. I was wondering about the transducer cable. So thats good to know you used two of the through wall kits. Thanks for the reply
great vid and thanks for sharing your tips. I was looking to add boonedox landing gear to my sportsmans as well. Can you please provide me the link to buy the white pieces you cut to sandwhich the hull to reenforce and raise up so when you deploy the rudder handle it doesnt hit. thanks in advance
I have a video on the channel that looks at the mods i have made to my boat including the landing gear. th-cam.com/video/zuDp72NsrdA/w-d-xo.html Thanks for watching!!!
Duh. Sorry i thought this was a comment on a different video. I used the backing plate provided by boonedox on the inside and a piece of 3/4 inch backing on the top. No metal.
my husband is trying to add a second seat in the bow, in front of the paddle system for our children to use (when the peddles are not in use). The taper hole would be used for the seat mounting bottom. Any suggestions??
Totally worth it....had a boy that didnt like his and traded even a old riverhawk. I got the better end of the deal. I put more cast in the water in 2years than the last 10 with a bass boat. You can get in anywhere!
Hello man i like your setup on the kayak. I like your Kayak it is awesome. I am thinking about upgrading my kayak to a pedal drive. I am thinking about getting the PDL because it seems to be the only kayak that does not have the straps that run across the top of the foot. I have big very very wide feet sz14 4 EEEE with very fat wide toe and my foot would not fit through those straps that run across the top of the foot. I tried it and it wouldn't fit through. I'm wondering would those pedals be wide enough for my foot or do they make wider pedals. The kayak I have my foot brace are too small and my feet will not stay on them because how wide they are and I'm a big dude so I need some type of foot support. Are the pedals comfortable enough to Pedal barefooted👣 cuz that's how I need to kayak is barefooted 👣. I don't know what size your foot is but I was wondering do you have any issues with your foot slipping off the pedals or not fitting properly on the pedals. I really would love to by this kayak but I don't want to spend the money if it's not going to work out for me. I knew I would have problems trying to find Footwear but I never knew it would be a problem for me to kayak. And I love to kayak. It really really sucks having big wide feet with very fat wide toe. I appreciate you taking the time to make the video. You take it easy sir and you have your self a good one and be safe out there.
Thanks for watching. And it’s super easy to swap out the pedals. There are quite a few very large platform style mountain bike pedals on the market that would solve your problem. Most pedal drive kayaks allow you to easily swap out the pedals. Thanks for watching #tightlines
@@ChesapeakeAngler you are welcome. I appreciate the video. That is awesome to hear you can swap these pedals out. I can swap them out for mountain bike pedals. Okay I didn't know that that will solve my problem. I have wider pedals for my bike but I thought the pedals on The Kayaks are different from bikes. Thank you so much for this information sir. This will really help me get to kayaking more. It really sucks having big very very wide feet with fat wide toe. Happy Father's Day to you.
Austin Popecki it does have the ability to slide the rod butt under the seat and there are two channels on each side of the bow for rods to lay in. I don’t use them but they are there.
Dexter SJ it’s more about plugging the hole when the water gets skinny or just when you don’t want the drive there. I’ve also noticed that the clamp loses some of its punch over time. At least mine has.
Yes. They are $75 (at least when I got mine) Email Justin@pptexas.com and he will get back to you. He also makes some seat risers that I now use as well.
Used the front scupper hole and 1'" PVC to put a single revolving dolly wheel in front. Makes lugging this beast WAY EASY!!! email me for picture. rlefkow@gmail.com
Glad you showed flipping the drive around, never thought of that (don’t own a PDL yet), but I’ll remember it now!
Best video I've seen so far featuring the top water!
Wow! Thanks for the compliment.
Great vessel, will be purchasing a paddle version soon, can't wait to get out on the water.
Nice setup, keep some inmind for my oldtown pdl.
Good ideas for sure. I use a "clamp on" goose neck camera mount for the front and just clamp it on the handle. Excellent video. I'm going to check out your videos now. Keep them coming.
Thanks! Don’t forget to subscribe.
Nice love the roll up cart!
I like what you did. I’m in Florida and am researching buying a kayak. I’m older but have just lost a lot of weight , 27lbs. I live in a community with old mine pits and have been fishing out of Jon boat that my son owns. Just trying to decide which yak to buy at this point. Thanks for info.
Great mods. SOMDer here. I just picked up a Sportman 106 PDL and I was looking for some options to mount the Boonedox without obstructing the rudder lever. Your solution looks perfect to clear it and it's great how it reinforces the mounting points as well. An easy upgrade recommendation for your seat risers, hit them with a good coating of rattle can bed liner. UV resistant, waterproof, non skid, quick and easy. Best of all you have a factory looking finish that protects the wood so you will never have to replace them (unless you lose one 😂).
I’ve been meaning to do that but those pesky fish won’t stop biting lol. But using bed liner is a great tip. Thanks.
@@ChesapeakeAngler I haven't been fishing in over a decade and I'm starting from scratch not even a rod, but I'm eager to get out there. I've just got to figure out what gear I need for the area, so I'll be trolling your videos for recommendations. I'm coming out of Cuckold Creek not far from Clark's Landing so it looks like we're in the same waters.
Kimberley Ewell be on the lookout. As soon as all this mess clears we want to have a meet up!
@@ChesapeakeAngler I'd love to! 👍
Excellent mods and great video. Really love that loading cart you built.
I have the PDL 106. Great, great kayaks. Made some similar mods on mine and put out a video about a year ago.
Subscribed.
Good luck fishing.
ThePentUpAngler
Great video! I raised my seat up with simply laying a plank under each side which raised it about 1 1/2" and couldn't believe the difference on my tailbone. I've already got a scrap piece of 2X4 that I'll use to copy your design because a little higher will be great. I did my Lowarance Hook2 7 tripleshot on the same side and run the battery from the hatch under the seat. I feel I should have run the wires thru the top rail instead of inside because my right foot hits the wires where they exit the hull. Thanks for your insight!
Mike Barkell I went back and forth on wire placement for the through hull. I haven’t had any issues - I ran them out of the hatch for a while until I determined that was the best spot for me for the fish finder. #tightlines
lookin good one of the yaks on my list
It’s a great boat. But aren’t they all?!! Lol. Anything that puts you out there. Tight lines!
I am doing something similar to my seat on the sportsman 106. It is fine stock for cruising around but I find myself sitting up on the edge of it when I am actually fishing. Hopefully leveling it out will let me sit back and cast.
Nice, I have the 120 standard, but I like your mods and might have to try a few
Jerrett W right on brother. #tightlines
great video!
I have that exact Penn Dairies milk crate.
Good stuff!
California Outdoorsman thanks!!!
I love how you lifted the rear of the seat but you didn't mention the front and how you did it.
I didn't raise the front but instead just adjusted seat back backwards. It works fine - but I do know there are some solutions out there to also raise the front. I'll dig around and see what I can find.
Great video, thanks. I am considering a 120 PDL soon too - did you compare the Sportsman before you bought the Topwater?
It wasn’t available at the time but I would have looked at it.
Contact Justin Branam on DSKA, or TKF on Fb for a drive plate insert. He recently made some front seat risers that go under the seat tracks to raise it 3/4". This is the maximum you can raise it and keep the seat within the gunnels. I installed Version 1 on my PDL 106 and LOVE it. I was surprised by the difference it makes, but 3/4" when it raises just your legs is a big difference.
Jacob D i got my drive insert from Justin. QUALITY PRODUCT! And fast fast fast shipping. Highly recommend!
Great video. I'm picking up my 120 next week. I like the addition of the reinforcing plates to support the hull with installation of the landing gear. Have you noticed any flexing or twisting of the hull with the landing gear? Thanks.
Matt O I can see a little flexing but not enough to worry about. I think that’s normal. One word of caution - don’t store the boat on the wheels! Doing that will put the hull under continual stress. So use the wheels for movement but not storage. And welcome to the family of a great boat!!! You’ll love it. Make sure to subscribe for more videos featuring my 120! #tightlines
@@ChesapeakeAngler Thanks and appreciate the advice. I just picked up my 120 yesterday but the landing gear is still on order.
My sheet of UHMW arrives today.
@@ChesapeakeAngler What diameter PVC did you use for your cart? Looks like 3". Would you recommend 4"?
@@matto5830 I used 3 because I had it on hand. Absolutely recommend 4
Thats pretty sweet very nice, but question do you void your warranty by putting wholes in your Yak?
Only Old Town can answer that question but I’m not too worried about it. My boat is a tool for enjoyment and to maximize that enjoyment I need to customize it to make it mine. That is my approach but everyone has their own acceptable level of risk when it comes to stuff like that.
Where do I get a plug/cover for the PDL drive hole?
For the deck insert plate contact Justin Branam at justin@pptexas.com or call at 281-469-3451 (M-F, 8a-5p Central time).
@@ChesapeakeAngler Thanks man!
How did you run your transducer? The whole fishfinder setup is clean looking
The topwater has a universal mounting plate and a pass-through for the transducer cable. I used a YakAttack through hull kit to pass the cable into the bow and then a second through hull kit to bring both the power and transducer cable to the FF. I used a plastic housing to wrap both wires and pinched them with zip ties. I can post pics if that would help
@@ChesapeakeAngler Your comment explains it well. I was wondering about the transducer cable. So thats good to know you used two of the through wall kits. Thanks for the reply
great vid and thanks for sharing your tips. I was looking to add boonedox landing gear to my sportsmans as well. Can you please provide me the link to buy the white pieces you cut to sandwhich the hull to reenforce and raise up so when you deploy the rudder handle it doesnt hit. thanks in advance
Your groovy landing gear. For the underside, did you just use meter plate? Any pictures...
I have a video on the channel that looks at the mods i have made to my boat including the landing gear. th-cam.com/video/zuDp72NsrdA/w-d-xo.html Thanks for watching!!!
Duh. Sorry i thought this was a comment on a different video. I used the backing plate provided by boonedox on the inside and a piece of 3/4 inch backing on the top. No metal.
my husband is trying to add a second seat in the bow, in front of the paddle system for our children to use (when the peddles are not in use). The taper hole would be used for the seat mounting bottom. Any suggestions??
Have to let us all know how that turns out. I have no idea LOL
I am very interested in getting your contact who made that insert for your kayak in the drive hole. Would you mind sending me this information.
For the deck insert plate contact Justin Branam at justin@pptexas.com or call at 281-469-3451 (M-F, 8a-5p Central time).
how much was the plastic insert and how can i get one>?
Nice video. How did you fasten those gear tracks in the stern? Not sure how far I can reach back though the rear deck cover to use screws and nuts.
Yak attack gear trac with self tapping screws. Never a lot of weight on those tracks so they work great
Can u put different wheels on. yr boondox
Nice setup. Id love one of these kayaks. But they are just a bit out of my price range.
The used market can hold some nice finds. Keep an eye out and always remember to run what your brung and enjoy! #tightlines
Gotta save up, you can do it if you really want it... It took me 3yrs😅 and now it's in backorder till late June 😄
Totally worth it....had a boy that didnt like his and traded even a old riverhawk. I got the better end of the deal. I put more cast in the water in 2years than the last 10 with a bass boat. You can get in anywhere!
Can you share the dimensions for the cover of the pedal drive ?? I would like to make one ! Thanks
Would that center plate work for the sportsman?
I think they are slightly different
Hello man i like your setup on the kayak. I like your Kayak it is awesome. I am thinking about upgrading my kayak to a pedal drive. I am thinking about getting the PDL because it seems to be the only kayak that does not have the straps that run across the top of the foot. I have big very very wide feet sz14 4 EEEE with very fat wide toe and my foot would not fit through those straps that run across the top of the foot. I tried it and it wouldn't fit through. I'm wondering would those pedals be wide enough for my foot or do they make wider pedals. The kayak I have my foot brace are too small and my feet will not stay on them because how wide they are and I'm a big dude so I need some type of foot support. Are the pedals comfortable enough to Pedal barefooted👣 cuz that's how I need to kayak is barefooted 👣. I don't know what size your foot is but I was wondering do you have any issues with your foot slipping off the pedals or not fitting properly on the pedals. I really would love to by this kayak but I don't want to spend the money if it's not going to work out for me. I knew I would have problems trying to find Footwear but I never knew it would be a problem for me to kayak. And I love to kayak. It really really sucks having big wide feet with very fat wide toe. I appreciate you taking the time to make the video. You take it easy sir and you have your self a good one and be safe out there.
Thanks for watching. And it’s super easy to swap out the pedals. There are quite a few very large platform style mountain bike pedals on the market that would solve your problem. Most pedal drive kayaks allow you to easily swap out the pedals. Thanks for watching #tightlines
@@ChesapeakeAngler you are welcome. I appreciate the video. That is awesome to hear you can swap these pedals out. I can swap them out for mountain bike pedals. Okay I didn't know that that will solve my problem. I have wider pedals for my bike but I thought the pedals on The Kayaks are different from bikes. Thank you so much for this information sir. This will really help me get to kayaking more. It really sucks having big very very wide feet with fat wide toe. Happy Father's Day to you.
Just got a 106 here in NoVA. Where can I get the block off plate?
For the deck insert plate contact Justin Branam at justin@pptexas.com or call at 281-469-3451 (M-F, 8a-5p Central time).
Thank you!
Does the topwater 120 hold any rods inside the hull like a bonefide ss127?
Austin Popecki it does have the ability to slide the rod butt under the seat and there are two channels on each side of the bow for rods to lay in. I don’t use them but they are there.
How good are the 2×4 under seat does it move at all or like u said the straps hold it down tight id like to do that for when I'm sheephead fishing
I never had any problem with them shifting or moving.
dude the deploy arm has a built on clamp to keep the prop raised. why build a catch plate?
Dexter SJ it’s more about plugging the hole when the water gets skinny or just when you don’t want the drive there. I’ve also noticed that the clamp loses some of its punch over time. At least mine has.
@@ChesapeakeAngler ahhh okay I see
Do you have the information for where you got the piece to cover the hole under the pdl drive? And how much was it?
Yes. They are $75 (at least when I got mine) Email Justin@pptexas.com and he will get back to you. He also makes some seat risers that I now use as well.
@@ChesapeakeAngler gotcha. Ya I've seen the navarre seat riser and i think i want a set of some sort. Thanks for the info!
Definitely check out Justin’s risers. They are a little different and they work great. I’m really happy with them.
Who made the PDL opening insert?
I am pretty sure I put the contact info in the video description. I’ll check though. Thanks for watching!
I can't seem to find the gentlemen {Justin Branam) who makes the drive plates on FB. Do you have an email address for him?
Website is pptexas.com - pretty sure he should be easy to find through there.
Can you link where you got the cover for the hole for the pdl drive, thanks tight lines 🎣
Oops. Missed this. I don’t have it in front of me but if you scroll back through the comments I think it is buried in them on this video.
For the deck insert plate contact Justin Branam at justin@pptexas.com or call at 281-469-3451 (M-F, 8a-5p Central time).
@@ChesapeakeAngler thanks man I actually got it a while ago but it was a great vid and extremely helpful in souping up my yak keep up the vids man
Used the front scupper hole and 1'" PVC to put a single revolving dolly wheel in front. Makes lugging this beast WAY EASY!!!
email me for picture. rlefkow@gmail.com
How is it holding up?