Paddle Kayaks · Fishing
The Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 is the kayak that made motorized fishing mainstream. A 45-pound thrust Minn Kota motor with GPS Spot-Lock, controlled by a remote in your hand or foot braces on the deck, in a 13-foot 6-inch hull built like a tank.
The Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 is the kayak that made motorized fishing mainstream. A 45-pound thrust Minn Kota motor with GPS Spot-Lock, controlled by a remote in your hand or foot braces on the deck, in a 13-foot 6-inch hull built like a tank. It won Best of Show at ICAST 2020, and years later it’s still the benchmark.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
if you want the top of the food chain.
This is a premium, purpose-built fishing machine. If you want the closest thing to a bass boat experience in a kayak, this is it.
Who This Kayak Is For
The Autopilot 136 is for the serious bass angler coming down from a boat, or the kayak angler ready to go all in. Tournament fishermen love it because Spot-Lock lets them fish structure with total boat control. Big water anglers love it because the motor gets them across the lake fast.
If you fish alone a lot and want to cover water efficiently, or you have physical limitations that make paddling or pedaling all day tough, the Autopilot changes what a day on the water looks like.
The Minn Kota Motor and Spot-Lock
The heart of this kayak is the saltwater-ready 45-pound thrust 12V Minn Kota motor with the i-Pilot remote. You control speed, direction, and Spot-Lock from a small remote you can wear around your neck or clip to your vest.
Spot-Lock uses GPS to hold your position. Wind pushing you off the spot? Current dragging you downstream? The motor corrects automatically and keeps you locked on. You can cast, fight fish, and change lures with both hands free.
The motor combines with foot brace steering for hands-free control while moving. The oversized XL rudder gives you solid steering authority in forward and reverse. A pre-wired battery box means you just drop in your lithium or sealed lead-acid battery, plug in, and go.
Stability and Handling
The hull is 37 inches wide with a 660-pound total capacity. It’s ridiculously stable. You can stand, walk the deck, and fish from any position. The non-slip EVA foam deck pads give you secure footing everywhere.
With 8 scuppers in the cockpit, water drains fast, which matters when you’re standing and moving around. The hull handles big water confidently. Wind and waves that would push a paddle kayak around are no problem when you have motor power and Spot-Lock.
Seat and Comfort
The Element Seating System is the same proven seat from the Sportsman line: breathable Textilene mesh, good lumbar support, and high/low positioning. It’s removable for transport and comfortable for full tournament days.
The large open cockpit gives you room to move, and the aft tank well handles crates and coolers. Four 18-inch accessory tracks let you mount everything without drilling.
Storage and Rigging
This kayak is tournament ready out of the box. Two forward-facing and two rear-facing flush mount rod holders. Shallow water anchor mounting inserts. Three through-hull wiring kits plus a universal transducer mount for clean fish finder installs. A custom tackle box is included.
The sealed bow and center hatches protect gear you need to keep dry. Horizontal rod storage keeps rods safe and accessible. Tournament-ready catch tray channels are molded in for measuring fish.
Honest Drawbacks
Weight is the obvious one. At 158 pounds assembled, you are not car-topping this alone. Most owners use a trailer. The motor console is 24 pounds and removes easily, which helps, but this is a two-person or trailer job.
It’s expensive. This is a premium product with a premium price. The battery is not included, and a good lithium battery adds to the cost. It’s also complex: more electronics means more things to maintain compared to a simple paddle kayak.
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 13 ft 6 in |
| Width | 37 in |
| Weight | 158 lbs (assembled) |
| Capacity | 660 lbs total, 502 lbs usable |
| Drive Type | Motorized (Minn Kota 45 lb thrust, i-Pilot) |
Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 Fishing Kayak FAQ
What is Spot-Lock and how does it work?
Spot-Lock is GPS anchoring. The motor holds your kayak in position automatically, fighting wind and current so you can fish hands-free.
Is the battery included?
No. The kayak has a pre-wired battery box. You supply your own lithium-ion or sealed lead-acid battery.
Can you paddle it if the motor dies?
Yes, though at 158 pounds it’s heavy to paddle far. Carry a paddle as backup and plan accordingly.
How do you transport it?
Most owners use a trailer. The motor console removes for easier handling, but this is not a car-top friendly kayak.
Featured Image Alt Text
Angler using Spot-Lock on an Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 motorized fishing kayak at sunrise
Where to Buy
If the Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
Also check out our reviews of the Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 Fishing Kayak, Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 Fishing Kayak, Old Town Malibu ePDL+ 120 Fishing Kayak, Old Town Sportsman 120 Fishing Kayak, and FluxJet Electric Jet Fishing Kayak.
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Old Town website for the Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136.
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