We recently purchased 2 Loon…
We recently purchased 2 Loon 120 kayaks as our 5th and 6th Kayaks. These are by far the best kayaks I've ever used. They are very comfortable. They are very stable and easy to maneuver. The seats are adjustable, which is a huge plus, especially if you have back issues. They have a dry well that is removable in the front of the kayak and another well in the back. The 2 cup holders and phone holder are nice addition. This is a heavier, pricey kayak...but well worth it, especially if you will be using yours often and for years to come. It is a great investment and my husband and I are very happy we spent the extra money. Oh...and they are pretty, too :) You will get compliments on the water ;) LOVE this kayak!!
I recently purchased the Old…
Submitted by:
paddler444045
on 6/18/2018
I recently purchased the Old Loon 120. Absolutely love this kayak. It fits all my needs that I was looking for in a kayak. The seating system is awesome which well accommodates my back problems. It tracks beautifully. Also like the detachable cockpit tray which has nice storage and a place for a fishing rod holder. It is a bit heavy and costly but all the great features make up for this. I don't regret buying this kayak and would do it a gain in a heart beat.
As a first time kayak buyer/user I did a lot of research before buying. I liked the Old Town Loon series and landed on 2 of the 120's. At 12ft long and 56lbs it takes some effort to carry but in the water it's fantastic. Extremely stable and comfortable. Paddles and tracks nicely. I didn't realize how good these were till this weekend when I let the kids use the good ones and I got stuck with a friends cheaper kayak. Wow am I spoiled. The Pelican was tippy, tracked poorly and was downright uncomfortable.
Hey, kayaking is fun no matter what - but if you can swing one of these you will not regret it.
Just got this Kayak and I am…
Submitted by:
paddler236999
on 8/3/2016
Just got this Kayak and I am so happy, I am a bigger guy at 6'4 and 280 pounds and this thing is smooth and rugged and handles like a Cadillac. I could not be happier. I would recommend this to anyone out looking for an amazing time on a lake or slow river. Just awesome.
I have had this 120 Loon for…
I have had this 120 Loon for six years. I spend about an hour once a week, It seems as fast as my 150 vision. I can keep up with our club with it.
I have had this 120 Loon for…
I have had this 120 Loon for six years. I spend about an hour once a week, It seems as fast as my 150 vision. I can keep up with our club with it.
This was my first kayak, so I…
This was my first kayak, so I wanted something "easy". It is certainly that.
Very happy with its performance and features. The only downside to me is the size of the opening to the cockpit - makes it easy in / easy out, but it also makes splash-in an issue. It's also slightly wider than I think I'd like, but it is roomy, which is nice. The seat is great - highly adjustable and comfortable. The footrests are also easily adjusted and quite comfy too.
The rear hatch, which has a little toggle-lock certainly appears to be water-tight - in practicing some "emergency" maneuvers, I pretty much scuttled the boat (it's OK, it was very shallow and totally on purpose) and the towel I had in the hatch remained dry - not a drop of water in there. I also think the removable "work deck" is handy with it's easy-access water-tight storage (the little USB outlet which lets you put a USB power cell in the storage bin and connect your phone or whatever) is kinda silly, but I'm sure those who feel they must be ever-connected will appreciate it. My concern with the work-deck is that even when it's "locked in", it could still be easily dislodged in a turnover situation and become separated from the kayak - if you left your keys or phone in the bin, you'd be hosed.
So, my first impressions, after a few trips and several hours of playing is that it's a really nice kayak, and for me its been a great first boat. I'm sure I'll enjoy it for several years.
This is a robust and sturdy…
This is a robust and sturdy canoe able to carry 2 paddlers in a variety of water conditions. The construction and style are incomparable in this category of canoe.
The new Old Town Loon 120…
The new Old Town Loon 120 (and 126) were our third kayaks. And we are very pleased.
We are "seniors" and do not do white water or ocean kayaking. Rivers, streams, lakes and fair weather kayaking only.
The Loon 120 (and 126) have what I can only describe as a "big boat feel". They are very stable, track well and are comfortable. You sit in these kayaks, you don't "wear them".
They have a new (and I think unique)removable "dash board" with a water tight compartment, a place for a drink and even a USB connector that can, if you choose, hook into a USB "battery" that you would place inside the water resistant compartment. I guess you could use it to charge your iPhone if you wanted. We call it the glove compartment.
I am trying to think of some negatives, but really cannot.
And-I love the new lines on this kayak-the stern has a very clean look to it.
I've perused on here a bit in…
Submitted by:
paddler236745
on 5/4/2016
I've perused on here a bit in terms of finding a new rec kayak. A lot of folks indicated the Pungo 120 as a good rec kayak and I agree. However, I just wanted to introduce a new (as of 2016) competitor which I just purchased which I haven't seen much mention of here, so figured others might benefit.
The Loon Series seems to be a new take on a classic for Old Town. They have some nice marketing material www.oldtowncanoe.com/Loon_Series/ including a good video overview of tech: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM_Ow4L6Gi4, but not much in the way of user reviews, especially compared with Pungo 120, the class leader. The closest I could find were mentions of the Loon's seeming predecessor, the Camden: www.paddling.com/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=2765. But, that is not a really fair comparison when the Loon is new for 2016.
Even without much to go on in terms of third party reviews online, I narrowed down my choices for rec kayak to the Pungo 120 and Loon 120. I
went to REI and looked at/sat in both.
Here are my observations:
Price: Pungo beats on price: $899 to $999
Aesthetic/refinement:
- Loon beats on subjective fit and finish and overall style. The lines of Loon just seem more refined and I just like the looks and color choices a bit better
- Loon beats with its seat, which again feels and looks much more refined to my eye (and butt!) and comes with more intuitive controls. It almost looks like suede from a little distance, and it is more well put together, with less in the way of random cords, etc hanging out like in the Pungo.
Usability/comfort:
- Note: I'm 6'2", 240 lbs
- Pungo seems just a bit wider in the hip/thigh area.
Because of the angles in the bottom of the boat, my feet rested just a tad more comfortably in the Pungo than in the Loon.
- The above stated, it feels more streamlined to sit in the Loon. I seemed perfectly fitted to ride in the Loon
- The stern hatch of the Loon seemed better than the Pungo in terms of
watertight seal.
- The "workdeck" - the front tray to hold a water bottle, devices, etc, seems more intuitive on the Loon. The hatch to open the front dry storage on the Pungo was behind the water bottle area, and was difficult to open without using two hands. This seemed a potential on-the-water usability issue which I did not like
- I actually do not like the USB port of the Loon, but decided to look beyond that. For me, it is very possible that current USB technology will die out before I'm ready to move on to another kayak, and to be stuck with it seems silly. I know others will disagree and find it useful, especially if you're taking cellphone videos, etc, but I don't like something which is pretty much the only planned obsolescence on the boat.
- That rant stated, I did find the bungy cord to hold up a device in the Loon's workdeck to be a nice touch, and I assume I'll make use of that
On the water performance:
- I know this is perhaps the most important, but I have yet to test either one on the water. Based on the keel line for each (V-shape) and the extraordinarily similar dimensions, my assumption is that they perform relatively similarly. Since I bought the Loon, I can follow-up with an on-the-water of that if folks are interested. If you're interested in a Pungo video, this guy made a pretty good overview, but I could not find a similar review for the Loon:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyNGHoG7kqs
I have used this kayak 4…
I have used this kayak 4 years. It's my go to kayak. It will keep up with longer kayaks. I have used it on Namekagon River work well as it did on slow rivers.
I just bought a used 1999…
I just bought a used 1999 Loon 120 for $400 and consider it a great investment. This is an older Polylink3 boat, circa 2000 or so, not the newer single-layer poly Loon that's currently marketed. As I've written on other reviews, OT's Polylink3 boats were/are extraordinary. They are heavier than the current OT design, but so much sturdier.
This boat tracks well and turns well for a rec boat, has a huge open cockpit, and because of the construction, floats when full of water, due to the foam inner hull. I think OT gave up on this expensive manufacturing process after being bought out by Johnson Worldwide Camping, or whoever they are. Too bad..the older Polylink3 boats will outlast many other plastic boats made today.
If you can find an older Loon that has the Polylink3 construction, or even a Cayuga (very rare), my advice is, Buy It.
Just bought mind at a garage…
Submitted by:
paddler235721
on 7/6/2014
Just bought mind at a garage sale for $300.. came with paddle and vest.. wow what great kayak..steady in the water and tracks very well.. moves along nicely. A good coat of wax path bottom improved the glide path a lot. Highly recommend this craft. I owned a marina... this was well worth the money.
We Love our Loon 120 Kayak.…
Submitted by:
paddler235188
on 7/27/2013
We Love our Loon 120 Kayak. The biggest plus for a large family of kayakers is stability. We have several ages choosing boats and all skill levels, its a versatile kayak and we love it!
The 120 is my second Loon. I…
The 120 is my second Loon. I had the 10 foot loon and absolutely loved it. When I saw they were making the 120 for a limited time I had to get one. The Loon is pretty fast, even though this is a pretty heavy Kayak. The 120 can haul quite a bit of gear. It's a pretty deep hull so you can load gear in the bow without too much trouble. The initial stability is a little tippy, which is pretty typical of faster kayaks. But the second had stability is rock solid which is great for new kayakers.
When I say this kayak is fast, I'm comparing it to the Dirigo and other recreational kayaks in that class. This kayak will not win any races when put against longer ocean kayaks.
Overall I'm very happy with the Loon and would buy another if given the chance. Great boat!
Coming from a Sea Eagle SE330…
Submitted by:
paddler234874
on 1/7/2013
Coming from a Sea Eagle SE330 Inflatable kayak package, I needed a kayak that was able to tow a good amount of weight and give me reliable storage for overnight and 2 night slow river excursions - this Loon 120 has definitely matched my expectations in that field!
The sealed stern supplies storage for my 10L and 20L dry bags, as well as room for my 15L compression bag (packed tightly with a couple shirts and pillow). Thus far, I haven't noticed any leaking from the sealing material but I could see that in the future I may be inclined to "re-caulk" around the edges. I have a small two person tent that I pack behind the seat and a few small ammo crates that hold some fire-starting gear and "bagged" dinners are able to sit on the floor of the kayak in front of my feet.
Ranked at 325lbs max I was worried that my weight of 240lbs and the weight added from camping gear would be too much for the kayak, but I was wrong. All of this gear, (carefully packed for proper weight distribution) as well as myself are kept afloat by the Loon 120 with ease.
As far as foot and seat comfort goes, I'm 5'11" and have men's US 13 sized feet. The foot rails slid into position perfectly and the seat adjusted to the proper back height with no problems. The kayak is comfortable and I definitely recommend it to anyone similar in size.
Purchased 2 Old Town Loon…
Submitted by:
paddler234842
on 11/15/2012
Purchased 2 Old Town Loon 120's last yr. in FL. We used in the canals, ocean, lakes & rivers. It is slightly heavy @52lbs, and add gear. Can't keep up with Sea Kayaks, but on our groups trips, I can lead or take the rear guard positions. We had up to 28 kayaker's on our trips.
It is actually pretty stable in sea waves, being buffeted crossing open harbors. Never capsized, no spray cover, but have blige pump and sponge for water issues. I think the Loon 120 is a very good purchased for what we use it for. Bought 2 for $750.00. I am thinking of purchasing 1/2 spray covers. The Loon 120's are made of polyurethane. We took them in water less that a foot deep to ocean deep water. Bottoms got scratched from some underwater obstacles.
Overall on a one to ten rating, they rank a nine.
used my 120 Loon all summer;…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 8/9/2012
used my 120 Loon all summer; rivers, lakes and small streams. Tracking can be tricky out in the open but with a little practice I learned to counter react with my strokes. Would like to get in a 138 to see if there is a difference with the tracking, but for now I am very pleased. I'm 6'3" 225 lb and fit with room to spare...never felt cramped even after a long day on the water. Seat is very comfy.
I own 5 kayaks and a Loon 120…
I own 5 kayaks and a Loon 120 is one of them. I am not a rich man, I am a family man. My Loon is a very good kayak for the money. It is easy to paddle and very stable. Watch for the sales you can find them around $400.00.
I love it!
I purchased the Loon 120…
Submitted by:
paddler233212
on 7/6/2009
I purchased the Loon 120 mainly for casual paddles on slower rivers but also with the idea of using it on the occasional extended trip. For the most part, I was not disappointed. I found the boat stable and responsive, and tracking was about on par with the other 12 foot yaks I had tried. There is no hard keel, so it was a little more wiggly than some, but it was also more maneuverable.
My only real complaints were the somewhat heavy weight (a polyethylene material at 52 lbs) not bad, but lighter boats always made me envious. Also, the storage and carrying capacity on longer trips was a bit if an issue. While there was room for a weeks worth of food and gear--it was tight, and I had to make liberal use of the topside bungees. And, of course, gear stashed topside invariably acted like sails which is not a friendly setup in strong winds!
Overall, though, a more than capable craft and I thought it was a good value for the money.
I've owned a 138t for 9…
Submitted by:
paddler232309
on 9/7/2007
I've owned a 138t for 9 years, it was great for the tandem seating while my kids were under 14. Now I've removed the 2nd seat. Been a terrific boat, with the rudder I can handle strong winds. I use an umbrella as a sail on the way back with the wind (just for fun).
I love this kayak! Some…
Submitted by:
paddler232297
on 8/29/2007
I love this kayak! Some reviews say it should not be used in the ocean but I think it works great in the ocean. I have taken my kayak out 7 times already and it still looks and maneuvers like the day I bought it. Great kayak for the money. Would recommend.
I have owned a Old Town Loon…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 2/5/2007
I have owned a Old Town Loon 120 for two years. The Loon120 is a well made, quality kayak. The seat is comfortable, ergonomic, and adjustable, the foot pegs can be adjusted with your foot or your hands, and the deck rigging is adequate for a recreational boat. The stern hatch cover is well designed and watertight. The cockpit is very roomy and the 17.5” X 42.5” cockpit opening is very easy to get into. (I’m 6’-0” Tall Male, 195 lbs; size 12 feet) The Loon tracks well for a 12 foot boat, yet it is still quite easy to turn, and is reasonably fast considering its length and width.
The glued-in Minicell Foam Bulkhead leaked some water into the stern hatch. I repaired this by using clear silicone RTV to reseal the joint on both sides of the bulkhead. A welded in plastic bulkhead would be leak free and much more reliable. If I use a low angle stroke, even with a 230cm paddle, I sometimes hit the knuckle of my thumb on the deck. Rounding the joint between the deck and the hull somewhat would solve the “Skinned Thumb” problem.
Overall this is a great boat to putter around in, fishing, photography, exploring small rivers, lakes, and ponds. However, this boat is not suitable for open water unless you can stay in sight of the shore. The cockpit and cockpit opening is so large that when you capsize, you fall out, “Wet Exits” are very easy, but this boat is not “rollable”. For its intended use, I would buy another Old Town Loon, In fact, I did, I bought a Loon 100 for my son.
This review is for the new…
Submitted by:
paddler231444
on 8/7/2006
This review is for the new 2006 Loon 120. This is my first kayak, "stepping up" from canoeing. I did a lot of research before I bought it and I feel I got the best boat for my needs. I needed a kayak that could carry me (200+ lbs) and 70 lbs of gear for a week long camping trip. Light enough to cartop and portage. Stable enough to take a kid for a ride or go fishing. And finally, it had to fit my meager budget.
The Loon 120 has exceeded my expectations: First off, it's made out of Polylink 3, a foam/plastic sandwich, which means it has built-in floatation, and doesn't require space-robbing foam block inserts. With its rather bulbous bow and rear space hatch, you can pack a ton of gear into this thing and still have room for your feet. The Dirigo, for instance has a flat bow and a cup holder which intrudes into the space, making it useless for cargo. The Loon 120 is rated for a 290 lbs capacity. I think that’s conservative. I’ve had it loaded pretty close to that and it handled it very well. The Pungo 120, which has similar hull dimensions, is rated for 400 lbs.
At 52 lbs, the Loon 120 is much easier to handle than my 80 lbs Guide 160, but less weight is always nice. It this point though, losing 15 lbs would cost you an additional $1,000 - $1,500, so I can live with it.
It’s very stable; I think you’d have to really try to tip it. Coming from a canoe I had visions of spending a lot of time learning wet exits, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’ve even taken a few jaunts in Lake Superior it’s handled just fine. It’s also fast and effortless to paddle. This is, again, coming from a canoe guy. It might be a slug compared to a 17’ ocean kayak, but there’s not a canoe that can touch me, ergo, keeping up with your canoeing buddies is no effort.
Finally, at a price of $599, it’s not cheap, but it's not expensive either. There are a lot of choices in this price range, but I feel I picked the best design for my purposes.
The 2006 Model Year Loon 120…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 10/10/2005
The 2006 Model Year Loon 120 has been redesigned, I'd like to say it’s a totally new boat, but that would be lying. The new Loon is molded from the exact same cast as the 2005 Casco 120 (which was a smaller dealer orientated boat, a Maine Series Kayak). However now that it is going to a national launch under the Loon name, I think this boat should do well. I own a 2005 Casco 120 and it is superb, you can find the review under the Casco tab. I found the 2006 Loon 120 for sale at Gander Mountain for $599.00, it should become more widely available in the coming months. It features a space hatch, deck rigging, and an adjustable foam seat.
I have owned a Loon 138 for…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 3/14/2005
I have owned a Loon 138 for about five years. Have used it extensively for about three years. The comfort with the tall back rest and wide seat is great.
It's fantastic for lakes, slow moving rivers and tidal streams. I paddle tidal inlets and back backs bays with no problems. I even paddled the Delaware Bay a mile off shore in three foot chop. It is NOT designed for the ocean and I personally would not take it there. It has great stability and moderate speed. My one regret is the cockpit is completely open. If you tip, pray that you are in shallow water. The kayak might submerge about a foot below the surface without flotation. Always use flotation bags in open water, which take up space. I had a dealer install a rear hatch and he could not figure out how to make front and rear bulkheads. The kayak is heavy at 56 pounds empty, and the plastic is showing gouge marks from scraping on rocks, boat ramps and gravel parking lots. This kayak will handle the weight, I am 320 and my gear another 20 pounds. Fantastic kayak for beginners, as a loaner, or your mother in law.
We had a Twin Otter as our…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 12/11/2002
We had a Twin Otter as our first kayak, and I selected the Loon 120 for when I am out by myself. I love it. It handles well and gets me where I want to go. We bought the Loon 138 for the spouse's solo yak.
Just bought a 120. Haven't…
Submitted by:
paddler229855
on 8/5/2002
Just bought a 120. Haven't been in a kayak in 15 years, and wanted to get back into it. Have used on class 2 and open water - love the stability and speed. I am 5 ' 9" and weigh 190, and it works fine. My 2 kids have taken out on flat water, both did fine (9 and 12 years old). So far, so good.
I bought 2 loon 120s two…
Submitted by:
paddler229735
on 6/12/2002
I bought 2 loon 120s two years ago and love them. I have caught a 7+lbs. largemouth and a 27 1/2" striper in 3' foot seas can't say enough about it's stability. As for it's toughness it ended up going down the rapids without me(my screw up) and saw it fly up in the air and crash back end first filled with water onto a rock.They found it down stream the stern was cracked and the top popped open like a pop top about 10" got it patched by my local dealer(Mountain Road trading post NH.) have to throw George a plug awesome guy. and still use it almost everyday. keeping it but buying a Millenium 174 for more ocean use I'll let you know how that one hold up By the way I'm 6'-230lbs.
The Loon 120 was the first…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 7/16/2001
The Loon 120 was the first kayak I ever bought, now I have 3 kayaks. The loon is a receationak kayak. Which means its built for short trips and is not built for speed. These is the type of kayak you would want if you were a beginner or if u wanted to feel very stable (like say you were fishing). Its not a good kayak if you are looking for tracking, speed, and distance. It is a great kayak to learn on. I used it for 3 years in a row. But if you really enjoy kayaking and move into day long, and multiday trips your gonna need a different boat. My recommendation, if are willing to give up a little stabilty and want to add speed and dry hatches (which will allow you to carry items and keep them dry, such as a tent) for a little more money (usally about a $100.00 US difference) you can get the Loon 138 which is slightly longer and more narrow which means greater speed to. But look into and most places have a try before you buy (paddle in they call it) where you can try the boats out before you buy them and its usually Free or a very small $5.00 cost. Hope I have been of some help. If u have any questions or comments, u can e-mail me
To start with, I have been…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 5/1/2001
To start with, I have been bass fishing from Aquaterra Keowees since 1989. I plan on using the loon 120 as a freshwater fishing boat. (Lakes and large rivers)
First impressions: I received the boat from the shipper in good condition except for one small gouge on each side. I did not find and casting or symmetry problems. The high gloss finish looks more like fiberglass than polyethelene. (We'll see how long that lasts.) All hardware was solidly attached. Really noticed the extra 2 1/2 feet when moving in a confined area.
First paddling: I first paddled it on a small lake. It is a very stable boat. Tracking is better than the Keowees and top speed is much better. It is not as easy to spin as the shorter kayaks. Foot pegs are easy to adjust in water. Comfortable seat! It was very stable pulling in the first fish, and pulling up my anchor. I was able to scratch up the hull pretty well in a sunken brush area. Hull seems a little softer than the Keowee. I am very pleased with this kayak.
As this is my first kayak its…
Submitted by:
robbob
on 1/23/2001
As this is my first kayak its hard to rate it. If enjoyment, easy handling and easy transport are the keys then I guess it deserves a 10.I have used it on lakes and small rivers. Tracks and turns well.As far as other reviews stating it needs extra floatation,I disagree its very stable.
As this is my first kayak I…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 1/4/2001
As this is my first kayak I must admit I don't have much to compare it to but I do love my Loon 120. I can't imagine a boat more stable. And it has truly held up well to my abuse scraping it in and out of every boat ramp on the Virginia Peninsula. My only fault to find would be the trim around the "pit" coming off a little to easily. I'm very impressed after my first summer of use.
I call this kayak the…
Submitted by:
paddler228829
on 8/17/2000
I call this kayak the "Volvo" ..., it doesn't do anything exceptionally well, nor does it do anything exceptionally bad. It does do everything I want in a very controlled, comfortable way. The initial stability is rock solid. Secondary stability is almost as good and very repeatable. Manouverability is more like a 10' while tracking is on a par with the 14 footers. Big cockpit allows for easy entry/exit. Bad points: the seat is mounted by for screws that are pre-destined to fail (easily fixed) and, the trim around the cockpit is shoddy, at best. All in all, a great boat for the money.
For a first kayak, my OTC 120…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/26/2000
For a first kayak, my OTC 120 has been a gem. Bought it in March and have had the occassion to be out in cool (almost cold) weather and very rough open water, and stayed warm and dry when using a spray skirt. I found total stability to be acceptable, even while wind-whipped waves broadsided me or broke over my bow while paddling upwind. Even though most of my use is on local inland rivers, I've probably exposed my Loon to conditions outside of it's intended use and have had a very high level of confidence in it's seaworthiness. It tracks very well, it's manueverability is legendary, and it actually shows some decent acceleration and sustained speed capability. Although it will never be a touring kayak, the 120 has excellent multi-function capability, far beyond it's classification of "recreational". The cockpit is roomy enough for me to put my 4 year old son between my legs, and we can paddle for about an hour comfortably. At 6'0 and 210 lbs, I haven't experienced the problem a previous reviewer discussed about raising my knees. Since the temp has warmed this summer, I leave the spray skirt behind and find myself with my knees up quite often, and at times I'll even lift my legs out and rest them on the deck when I'm taking a break. I also haven't experienced any of the QA problems of other reviewers. In dealing with OTC, I have only good things to report: I ordered a cockpit cover, and when it didn't arrive in the prescribed time, I called their order department and they shipped another one, free of charge, no questions asked. I do agree that the hull is showing signs of shallow water obstacles, much more than my friends boats that are single-layer plastic. But all in all, this an extraordinary craft that has already provided me with some great experiences on many types of water (including some class II), and has been a great teacher for this wonderful sport.
For a person in the 175 lb.…
Submitted by:
paddler228702
on 6/24/2000
For a person in the 175 lb. range the 120 is much better turning than a 138 and still is fast for a boat that is suitable for small rivers. The material handles dull impacts well but direct hits into sharp sticks and rocks show deeper cuts than a harder plastic single-layer boat would. If you are used to paddling other Loons and recreational kayaks the cockpit may seem small(the shape keeps me from lifting both knees up). If that's not an issue, you would probably enjoy the boat.
Great design and performance…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/17/2000
Great design and performance for what it is intended (fast, stable, tracks well). Quality control could be better. Also, needs a cup holder.
I started by renting Loon…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 2/10/2000
I started by renting Loon 100's. I enjoyed them and purchsed a Loon 120 and really enjoy this kayak. It is very stable and comfortable. I have had it on a larger lake, small lake and a local river and always enjoyed it. Old Town does seem to have quality problems. I can't complain about the customer service. I purchased my 2nd canoe from them and my Loon 120 and they both had minor problems. Not so bad that I wouldnt consider another kayak by Old Town. Has anyone tried the Castine yet?
We recently purchased 3 loon…
Submitted by:
paddler228431
on 1/27/2000
We recently purchased 3 loon 120's and 2 loon 100's for family kayaking. For first time yakkers we have found the 120 to be a great all-round kayak for lakes and rivers. We are all under 6 feet and find them to be stable for people of average size, and fairly fast on quiet waters. We like the wide cockpit for comfort as well. * Our experiance with the dealership were we bought them was great and informative. It's a great kayak for cruising along or just kicking back and catching some sun.
I bought a Loon 120 two years…
Submitted by:
paddler228423
on 1/20/2000
I bought a Loon 120 two years ago to replace my double foldable Pouch. Paddled it for a year, then upgraded with two other boats: A whitewaterkayak and a seakayak. Although these other boats are more suitable for extreme conditions, the Loon still is my favourite for spending summerdays on the Dutch lakes and canals. (Holland is where I live). Other boats may be faster, more manouvrable or better looking, the Loon is the only one where you can throw out an anchor, get a softdrink from the cooler in the back and just float around for an afternoon, take a sunbath on the rear deck, take a swim and reenter by climbing on the rear deck. Great boat.
As noted in my previous…
Submitted by:
paddler228151
on 1/17/2000
As noted in my previous review my wife and I purchaced 2 loon 120s. The one kayak always seem to turn to the left. When viewed from behind you could see that the kayak listed to one side.
We then realized that the seat was not inserted squarely. As a result, the weight was not evenly distributed. I spoke with Old Town and they have agreed that this is amanufacture defect and are in the process of re-installing a new seat. It was a pleasure to work with the Old Town customer service rep.
Loon 120 is an ecellent yak…
Submitted by:
paddler228342
on 10/27/1999
Loon 120 is an ecellent yak for a beginner. Primary stability is great. It is bulletproof. Tracks very well for its length. Definitely a kayak for the smaller paddler. My husband (200 lbs.) looks like a stuffed sausage in the pit!
Respectfully disagree with…
Submitted by:
seark
on 9/9/1999
Respectfully disagree with Linda and Allen - Extra floatation won't hurt but it isn't necessary. My Loon 120 sits right where its suppose to even with a full load. Speaking of which, I just bought a second kayak, a Loon 138, solo model. It has much more stowing capacity than the 120 - nice for fishing tackle, camera, binoculars, etc. The difference in length however does make it harder to carry and load onto a rack - especially if you are travelling solo! The 138 doesn't feel quite as easy to manuver as the 120, but it is slightly faster and tracks perhaps a little better. If you are trying to decide between the two - PADDLE THEM BOTH FIRST. The fit is different and I've found that friends have formed a quick and definite personal preference between the two. I like both, depending on where I'm going and what I'm taking with me.
I have owned my Loon for over…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 8/1/1999
I have owned my Loon for over a year in the Florida Keys now and have found it to be a VERY stable kayak with good tracking. The stability is all primary, due to the relatively wide (28") design. I have used this kayak in flat water as well as in 1-2 foot whitecaps. This boat is a cork when used with a sprayskirt. I agree with Linda and Alan that the cockpit edging comes loose often, but if you're going to pick a problem with a kayak, this isn't so bad. I like the Loon's agility and speed also, but have recently been hampered by the weight restrictions for longer trips (I am 6'2", and while this kayak fits me well, I weigh 200 of the 250 lbs max, making camping trips unlikely). I highly recommend this boat to anyone thinking of purchasing a day-tripping kayak for the first time.
After trying out several…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 7/26/1999
After trying out several different kayaks in this same class, I found the Loon 120 to be the best overall kayak for stability and quality of construction. My wife tried out this kayak and absolutely loved it. I have owned the boat now for about 6 months and am already in the market for another one so I can go boating with my wife and friends! It is more comfortable than most of the others I have tried out (better seat) and it's easy to get out of in case of a capsize. It seems to have plenty of built in floatation so no need to purchase additional floatation devices. The Loon is also MUCH stiffer than most other polyethylene kayaks, so it won't warp when you strap it to your roof rack!
After trying several kayaks…
Submitted by:
seark
on 7/7/1999
After trying several kayaks over the past six weeks, I decided on an Old Town Loon. I am paddling it on lakes and flat rivers. It is stable, maneuvers well and is a convenient size for cartopping or tossing in the back of the pickup. It has a little more initial stability than an Acadia and feels stiffer and a little faster than the Pungo or Manteo. The price also compares favorably.
My wife and I are first time…
Submitted by:
paddler228151
on 6/29/1999
My wife and I are first time kayakers and purchased two Loon 120s this spring. We have found them to be a safe,stable kayak that tracks pretty well. The quality control needs some improvement. The two kayaks while they are the same model do not match up, screw and washer placements, logo, and edging around the cockpit is not secure. While the kayak will float at water level you still need to purchase bow and stern floation devices.
