Old Town Loon 111

Size and Weight

The Old Town Loon 111 measures up at 11’1” (3.38 m), which puts it on the longer end of the recreational kayak spectrum. It also has a 14” (35.6 cm) deck height, which is pretty standard for a kayak this size.

As far as weight goes, the Loon 111 tips the scales at 45 lb (20.4 kg), which is pretty average for this size boat. For reference, the similar length Perception Expression 11.5 is just slightly lighter at 44 lbs (20 kg).

Capacity

With a maximum weight capacity of 275 lbs (124.7kg), the Loon 111 is on the lower end when it comes to how much weight it can accommodate, especially when compared to the slightly smaller Wilderness Systems Aspire 105, which can carry up to 400 lbs (181 kg).

However, this boat doesn’t have any dry storage hatches and has just one rear deck bungee. Therefore, it’s designed mostly for day trips, where your packed gear is at an absolute minimum.

While one still needs to account for the weight of their paddle, life jacket, and other necessities, this boat is still able to accommodate most paddlers. Keep in mind that for maximum performance, it’s best not load a kayak past 80% of its stated capacity. Old Town Loon 111 is ideal for paddlers under 220 lbs (99.7 kg)

Features

When designing the Loon 111, Old Town kept things simple. Featuring a three-layer construction, this kayak is meant to be ultra durable so it can withstand frequent use on the water.

A no-frills option for kayakers that perhaps want a boat to keep at a lake house or for quick morning paddles before work, the Old Town opted for an extra roomy cockpit on this boat to maximize comfort rather than a bunch of added features.

It has a fully adjustable seat with a high back for added lumbar support. For convenience, this kayak comes with a molded paddle keeper, which offers a good place to rest your paddle when you stop for a break.

While the Loon 111 doesn’t come with much gear storage, it does have a rear deck bungee for strapping down small dry bags. Inside the cockpit, there is also a cup holder, as well as ample room behind the seat to store smaller pieces of gear, such as a spare layer for a quick paddle.

Performance

At 11’1”, this boat is fairly long for a recreational kayak. This makes it an ideal choice for paddlers that want an improved tracking performance typical of a longer boat without the price tag and hassle that comes with a touring kayak.

The Loon 111 has a fairly traditionally V-shaped hull, though it is slightly rounded in the middle. Therefore, it gets slightly better primary stability in flat water than what you’d find in more V-shaped alternatives.

Old Town also crafted this boat with a single chined hull at the bow and the stern, allowing for better slicing through the water in windy conditions. Additionally, the Loon 111 comes with a Glide Track foot brace system to provide you with better control over the boat while maneuvering.