Old Town Topwater 106

Size and Weight

The Old Town Topwater 106 is 10’6” (3.2 m) long and 34.5” (87.6 cm) wide. It weighs 73 pounds, which is a bit heavy for a 10’ kayak. However, one person can still transport it and there are many great features for a kayak its size.

With a capacity of 440 lbs (199.5 kg), it is capable of carrying an average-sized individual and a lot of gear, even if you stay within the recommended 80 percent of the boat’s maximum capacity.

Features

Starting with the bow, there is a drain plug for water that may have gotten into the bow storage compartment. The bow carrying handle is not molded, but is a sturdy piece and mounted solidly. Because of this, it may be used as a point to secure the kayak while in transit. The bow storage compartment is rather spacious considering the boat’s size and provides dry storage. It is accessed via the storage hatch on top which provides a watertight seal and is retained by a cord.

A scupper hole in the middle of the deck allows for a transducer cable to be run through it. On the bottom of the hull directly below it is a universal transducer mounting plate.

A stand assist strap secured to the deck allows you to hold onto it to lower yourself into the seat or pull yourself up to stand on the deck. Thoughtful user-centered touches like this distinguish the Topwater 106 from its peers and provide a more enjoyable experience.

The footrests are adjustable, so finding a position that suits you should not be a problem. They are similar to your typical adjustable kayak footrests but they do have foam cushioning on them for a nicer finish.

On the gunnels, The Topwater 106 has gear tracks on either side. This is another convenient feature this boat offers as they will accept a variety of accessories.

Two foam pads on the deck facilitate traction, or if barefoot, comfort. You are able to stand on the deck with ease as the kayak is very stable while being used this way.

The seat is built for comfort as it’s a “lawn chair” style and can fold down. Its metal frame wrapped with a mesh fabric keeps things lightweight and has two height settings. It can be easily removed by undoing the buckles keeping it in and popping it out of the retainer clips. There is an open storage space underneath it as well.

There are three rod holders. One is flush-mounted in front of the seat on the right gunnel and the two others are mounted behind the seat, angled away from you. There are also two molded cup holders on either side of the seat, as well as two more carrying handles on the outside of each gunnel. There’s also a paddle holder on the right side that is a clip with a rubber strap to retain it.

Behind the seat is a tank well storage area that is molded to accept a milk crate to store fishing gear, and is covered with a bungee cord to secure any larger items. The hull has a skid plate on the skeg that allows you to drag it if necessary.

Performance

Thanks to its unique hull design, the Topwater 106 has amazing primary and secondary stability. The boat is still stable even when the user is leaning quite heavily to one side, which is an impressive quality when compared to most kayaks. While paddling in wind and choppy water, the maneuverability of the Old Town Topwater 106 remains more or less unaffected. Since it is just 10’ 6” it is still fairly responsive to each paddle stroke.