Great for the casual paddler out for a little relaxation, fitness and fun, the Old Town Dirigo 120 recreational kayak offers unparalleled comfort and control as well as stability and easy maneuverability. You'll keep paddling for hours thanks to the ergonomic Extrasport XtraComfort seat with lumbar angle adjustment, excellent cushioning, and moisture-resistant material. The Dirigo's roomy cockpit and generous width make it easy to enter and exit.
The Old Town Dirigo 120 kayak. |
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The Stabil-Form Hull extends along the length of the boat to create an exceptionally efficient and stable profile that's suitable for larger bodies of water. Other features include a glove box hatch for keys and wallet, open cockpit control panels, cup holder, Space Hatch and bulkhead for storage, paddle keeper, and deck bungee.
It's made from three-layer linear polyethylene technology, which provides exceptional stiffness, low weight and built-in flotation at an affordable price. This technology allows Old Town to produce a stiffer kayak than traditional single-layered kayaks and omits the need for a keelson. Because the foam core provides such exceptional stiffness, less material is needed in the hull so weight is kept low.
Specifications - Length: 12 feet
- Width: 27.75 inches
- Cockpit: 18.5 x 38 inches
- Depth: 14 inches
- Weight: 48 pounds
- Maximum load range: 300 to 350 pounds
Features
- Single-user kayak with roomy cockpit and generous width
- Made from highly durable three-layer linear polyethylene technology with low weight and built-in flotation
- Ergonomic Extrasport XtraComfort seat with lumbar angle adjustment
- Glove box hatch for keys and wallet, open cockpit control panels, cup holder, Space Hatch and bulkhead for storage
- Measures 12 feet long; 350-pound maximum weight capacity; paddle not included
Owner Reviews
This kayak fulfills its purpose perfectly. It's a starter kayak for sure, wide and stable with a large cockpit, but it's unlikely that you'll be wanting to upgrade in the near future. This boat performs exceptionally well as a recreational kayak, turning with ease but still tracking better than some others in its price range. Its aforementioned stability is great for a beginner -- my girlfriend got into it (she had never been in a kayak of any kind before) and was comfortable paddling around in less than 10 minutes. The size of the cockpit is nice -- it's easy to pull your feet out and rest them on the deck if you're feeling lazy and/or want to get some sun. It also makes it easier to get in and out of the boat. The downside is that with the larger opening, you're more likely to get wet in rougher waters. The "dashboard" is really nice too, a touch that I wish had been incorporated into my considerably more expensive Necky Looksha 14. It has a small dry storage area for a cell phone, keys, etc. and a cup holder. But perhaps its biggest advantage is that it's a great place for a compass or GPS receiver. I purchased the 2008 model from a local shop that was trying to move out last year's models to make room for the 2009's, and as such got it at a significant 35% discount. The only difference between the two years is that Old Town managed to shave about 7 pounds off of the 2009 model, bringing it down to 48 pounds from the previous 55. If you can get your hands on a 2008 at a similar discount, I'd suggest that the 7 pounds is not worth the additional cost. Also, be sure to read the shipping information carefully, as kayaks are not cheap to ship. You may want to shop around, and especially look at some local shops before making a decision. Final word -- if you are new to kayaking, or if you really want the larger cockpit, this kayak is an excellent choice. If you only plan on kayaking in relatively calm waters, this is also a perfect choice. If you have some experience, you might be better served by getting a kayak that's a little more specialized toward your desired style of kayaking.
