This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
LOOKS LIKE A CANOE BUT PADDLES LIKE A KAYAK. THE NEXT IS A VERSATILE


TOOL THAT’S EASY TO USE. PHOTO: RIC BURNLEY


Stellar S14S Length: 13 ft


Width: 29 in Weight: 253 lbs Max Capacity: 450 lbs Price: $999.99 www.oldtowncanoe.com


DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch a video of the Old Town NEXT in action


Boat InsiderTHE NEXT BIG THING


“Wait until you see what I got for you to paddle today,” I told Kayak Kevin Whitley over the phone. While my buddy guessed and guessed at the boat he would help me test drive, I chuckled to myself. When I pulled into the parking lot, Whit-


ley began dancing around and yelling, “It’s the NEXT, it’s the NEXT!” As a pro-staffer for Johnson Outdoors (Old Town’s parent company), Whitley had heard a lot about the new hybrid canoe/kayak but he had yet to paddle it. “I’ve been anxious to check this thing out,” he enthused. Before I could get out of the truck and grab my stuff, Whitley had the boat off the trailer and was carrying it to the water. I was excited about the NEXT, too. After


a quick test drive at last summer’s Outdoor Retailer tradeshow, I wanted to know if the NEXT would fish as well as it paddled. After Whitley took the boat for a spin and


gave it his approval, I dropped my YakAttack BlackPak in the stern, loaded my rods and plopped down into the Element seat. Like a canoe, the NEXT features an open cockpit only interrupted by a bow and stern


42 PADDLING MAGAZINE


thwart. Like a kayak, the NEXT is narrow and low enough to be paddled by a single operator with a double-blade paddle. At only 53 pounds, the NEXT scooted


across the water with ease. Low gunnels keep the angler close to the action and keep the wind from slapping the boat around. I was able to paddle the boat with a 225-centime- ter paddle and fish while sitting on the seat, kneeling on the floor and even standing up. Add a couple clamp-on rod holders and a


crate and this sporty hybrid is ready to fish. Since I sit low to the water and the NEXT doesn’t have scuppers, I was able to stay dry. The sides are low enough to allow me to reach my leg over and flip a fish into the boat. After a few weeks with the NEXT, I


This article first appeared in the Fall/Winter 2014 issue of Kayak Anlger magazine.


found myself fishing more. The boat is light enough to carry with one hand. Loading and unloading from the roof rack is a breeze. Throw the NEXT over my shoulder, grab a dry bag with some gear, my rod, paddle and PFD, and I’m portaging from one pond to another and sneaking into hidden bays. RIC BURNLEY


OLD TOWN’S NEW HYBRID TAKES KAYAK FISHING TO ANOTHER LEVEL FISH FRIENDLY FEATURES:


• Long waterline for efficient tracking


• Slim design for easy paddling


• Removable Element seat doubles as a camp chair


• Lightweight for effortless transport and maneuverability


• Three-layer hull is light and durable


• Bright hull colors with available matching Carlisle paddle


This article first appeared in the 2015 Spring issue of Kayak. Angler


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76