Old Town Dirigo 120

Size and Weight

Old Town Dirigo 120 is 12’ (3.7 m) long with a 27.75” beam (70.5 cm), which makes it pretty narrow for a recreational boat of this length. While the longer hull makes it a little harder to handle, store, and transport the kayak, it also greatly improves its tracking ability in the water. Additionally, it has a deck height of 14” (35.6 cm), which is fairly spacious for a kayak this size.

The boat weighs 50 lbs (22.7 kg), making it about average for a kayak of this length. For comparison, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 tips the scales just slightly lighter at 49 lbs (22.2 kg). Overall, while not exactly light, the Dirigo 120 is still relatively portable, especially thanks to its two retractable carry handles.

Capacity

The Dirigo 120 has a weight capacity of 350 lbs (158.8 kg). This is more than sufficient to accommodate most paddlers and a day’s worth of gear, even if you stay within the recommended 80% of the boat’s capacity. If you’re a smaller paddler, the Dirigo will easily carry enough gear for a camping trip.

Features

Built with versatility in mind, this kayak is chock-full of features to make your paddling experience more comfortable.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the Dirigo 120 is its large cockpit. It features a spacious seating area with a contoured poly seat to help you enjoy your time out on the water. The seat on this boat also has a high back, which provides ample lumbar support throughout a day of paddling.

Moreover, the boat has a Glide Track foot brace system and thigh pads, which allow you to better control the kayak while turning or paddling in rough conditions. It also features a safety line around the perimeter of the deck so you have something to grab onto should you capsize.

As far as gear storage goes, the Dirigo 120 doesn’t disappoint. It has a large stern dry hatch for storing the bulk of your gear. Additionally, it boasts a glove box dry hatch toward the front of the cockpit, which is perfect for safely storing your phone, keys, wallet, and some snacks.

For added convenience, the kayak also has a cup holder to help you stay hydrated throughout a day of paddling. It even features a molded paddle keeper, which enables you to quickly store your paddle without fear of losing it, should you want to take a break while on the water.

Performance

The Dirigo 120 is on the verge of being classified as a day touring kayak based on its length, which means it tracks decently well in the water. Additionally, Old Town crafted this boat using its proprietary Stabil-form hull design, so it offers a good mix of both primary and secondary stability, as well as performance.

This unique hull shape features full chines, which allow the boat to slice through the water with ease. However, the Dirigo 120 also has a slightly rounded hull toward the middle to minimize the likelihood of capsizing in calm waters.

Thanks to this transitional hull design, the boat performs well both in terms of stability and maneuverability. Therefore, the Dirigo 120 is an ideal choice for paddlers looking to improve their skills and go on longer adventures without sacrificing the stability normally found in a recreational kayak.