Old Town Dirigo 106

Size and Weight

The Old Town Dirigo 106 is a solid recreational kayak that measures 10’6” (320 cm) long, making it small enough to easily transport to and from the water. It has a deck height of 14” (35.6 cm), which is fairly average, but still provides plenty of interior space within the cockpit.

Related:
10 Best Kayaks for Beginners: Reviews and Buying Guide

At a weight of 42 lbs (19.1 kg), the Dirigo 106 isn’t overwhelmingly light. But it is slightly more portable than the similarly sized Wilderness Systems Aspire 105, which weighs in at 48 lbs (22 kg). Plus, it comes with retractable carry handles at the bow and stern to make carrying the boat a bit easier.

Capacity

Featuring a weight capacity of 300lbs (136.1kg), the Dirigo 106 is strong enough to accommodate most paddlers. That being said, it’s best not to load a boat with more than 80% of its weight capacity, so this kayak is best for day trips and short overnights where the weight of your gear is at a minimum.

Features

Although it’s crafted with newer paddlers in mind, Old Town didn’t skimp on the features with this boat. The Dirigo 106 features a spacious cockpit, as well as a contoured poly seat with a high back for added comfort and support as you paddle.

For added convenience, the boat has a molded paddle keeper system so you can quickly set your paddle down for a short break on the water. It also has a cup holder in the cockpit for staying hydrated during longer days outside.

To help you get out and enjoy trips a little further afield, the Dirigo 106 also has an assortment of different gear storage options. This boat has a single large dry hatch at the stern, as well as a small dry hatch toward the front of the cockpit that can be used to store keys, wallets, phones, and even snacks. Unlike many other recreational kayaks, it also has front deck bungees for lashing down maps and smaller pieces of gear.

Other great features on the Dirigo include its safety perimeter line, which provides a secure place to hold onto the boat should you capsize.

Performance

The first thing that many will notice when comparing the Dirigo 106 to other kayaks is its shape. Unlike many other boats this size, the Dirigo 106 has a mostly V-shaped hull with only a small rounded section toward the middle of the kayak.

In fact, the Dirigo features Old Town’s “Stabil-form” hull design, which features full chines (a.k.a. sharp edges) that allow it to better glide through the water, making each paddle stroke more efficient. Additionally, this hull design allows the boat to have decent amounts of both primary and secondary stability for a more comfortable paddling experience.

Furthermore, the Dirigo’s unique hull design allows for better tracking through the water, especially when compared to other similarly-sized boats. The kayak also has a Glide Track foot brace system to provide you with more power and control as you start to develop more advanced kayaking skills and techniques.