Old Town Sorrento 126sk

Size and Weight

Touting a length of 12’6” (3.8 m), the Old Town Sorrento 126 sk is one long boat by recreational kayak standards. However, it’s not as long as many expedition touring-specific boats, which can often feel a bit unwieldy when transporting them to and from the car.

The Sorrento 126sk’s deck height is also 14” (35.6 cm), which is about average for a boat of this size. This means that it offers enough leg room for paddlers up to about 6’ 6” (198 cm) in height.

When combined with its 51 lb (23.1 kg) weight, this kayak is fairly portable. All things considered, the Sorrento 126 sk is still manageable. Many people will even be able to cartop it fairly easily. Plus, it’s more or less the same weight as other boats of its class, such as the Wilderness Systems Pungo 125, which weighs slightly more at 53 lbs (24 kg).

Capacity

As a recreational boat that crosses into day touring, the Sorrento 126sk has a larger maximum weight capacity than many other similar-sized kayaks. It can carry up to 350 lbs (158.8 kg). This is substantially more than the Perception Carolina 12.0, which can accommodate only 275lbs (125kg).

Features

Old Town tried to strike a fine balance between adding quality features and maintaining a high level of performance with the Sorrento 126sk.

This boat has an Active Comfort System 2.0 Seat, which provides more in the way of back support and comfort than many other seats on the market today. It also has an extra large cockpit that provides plenty of legroom while paddling.

Since the Sorrento 126sk also has a large stern storage hatch and plenty of deck bungees, it’s capable of carrying a decent amount of gear. This makes it a good option for paddlers that want to head out for a longer day on the water. Alternatively, it’s perfect for new kayakers that are trying to branch out a bit and go for a short overnight camping trip.

Performance

Where the Sorrento 126sk really shines is its paddling performance. It has a unique streamlined hull design with a slightly rounded center for added primary stability on flat water.

Additionally, the bow and stern of this boat have a single chine and are connected by a sharp keel line. That means that it offers a surprising amount of secondary stability as well as good gliding performance.

What sets the Sorrento 126sk apart from other boats in its class is its retractable skeg. Offering much of the tracking performance of a rudder without the extra weight and bulk, this skeg allows you to paddle straight over long distances, even in windy conditions.

Since the skeg can be retracted easily, it also provides for enhanced maneuverability when you’re in shallow water. For novice and intermediate paddlers that are looking to improve their skills, the advantages of a skeg are a great step in the right direction.

Finally, this kayak comes with a set of adjustable foot braces, which allow for improved control over the boat in choppy water or while making precision paddling strokes in challenging conditions.