If you've ever gone looking for a reliable, "do-it-all" boat, you've probably stumbled across the old town loon iii kayak in a used gear forum or a local classified ad. It's one of those boats that seems to have a cult following, even decades after it first hit the water. While the kayaking world has moved toward specialized designs—super-fast touring boats or ultra-stable fishing rigs—there's something about the Loon series, specifically that third-generation lineage, that keeps people coming back.
It's not just nostalgia, either. There's a reason these things are still floating around (literally) while other plastic boats from the same era have long since ended up in a landfill. If you're lucky enough to find one of these in good shape, you're looking at a piece of paddling history that still performs surprisingly well today.
What Made the Loon III Special?
To understand why the old town loon iii kayak is so well-regarded, you have to look at how Old Town built their boats back then. This was the era of Polylink3. If you aren't a gear nerd, Polylink3 was basically a "sandwich" of plastic layers: two layers of high-density polyethylene with a foam core in the middle.
This construction was a game-changer. The foam core didn't just add buoyancy; it provided incredible stiffness and insulation. If you've ever paddled a single-layer plastic boat in cold water, you know your legs can get chilled pretty fast. In a Loon III, that foam layer acted like a thermal barrier. Plus, the boat felt "quiet" on the water. It didn't have that hollow, drum-like sound when you bumped a rock or dropped your paddle on the deck.
The Bathtub Cockpit
One of the most defining features of the old town loon iii kayak was its massive cockpit. Back in the day, cockpits were often either tiny "ocean" styles that required a lot of flexibility to get into, or wide-open designs that felt insecure. Old Town hit the sweet spot.
The Loon III had what many call a "bathtub" cockpit. It was long enough that you could pull your knees up and sit cross-legged if you wanted to, but narrow enough that you still felt like you were "wearing" the boat. For beginners, this was a huge selling point. There was no claustrophobia, and if you tipped over (which was hard to do), you'd practically fall right out without needing to know a fancy wet exit.
Stability That Gives You Confidence
If I had to describe the way the old town loon iii kayak handles in one word, it would be forgiving. It has a very predictable hull design. Some boats feel "twitchy"—you feel every little ripple in the water, and it feels like the boat wants to roll over. The Loon III is the opposite.
It has great "primary stability," which is just a fancy way of saying it feels rock-solid when you're sitting still on flat water. This makes it a fantastic platform for birdwatching, photography, or even just eating a sandwich in the middle of a lake. You don't have to constantly balance the boat with your hips; you can just sit back and relax.
Tracking and Maneuverability
Because of its length and the slight keel molded into the hull, the old town loon iii kayak tracks remarkably well. It doesn't waggle back and forth with every paddle stroke like some of the shorter 10-foot recreational boats you see at big-box stores today.
At the same time, it's not so long that it feels like you're trying to turn a school bus. It's nimble enough to navigate slow-moving rivers and winding creeks. It's that perfect "middle ground" boat. It won't win any races against a 17-foot sea kayak, but it'll certainly keep up with your friends on a casual afternoon paddle.
The Reality of Owning a Classic
Now, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Owning an old town loon iii kayak in the modern day comes with a few quirks. The biggest one is the weight. That Polylink3 construction I praised earlier? It's heavy.
Most of these boats clock in around 50 to 60 pounds, depending on the specific model and length. If you're loading it onto a high SUV roof rack by yourself, you're going to feel it. It's a "heave and a prayer" kind of boat. However, that weight is also why it feels so planted in the water. It's a trade-off that many people are willing to make for the sake of durability.
What to Look for When Buying Used
Since you can't exactly walk into a store and buy a brand-new old town loon iii kayak anymore, the used market is your best friend. But because these boats are often 15 to 20 years old, you need to be careful.
- Oil Canning: This is when the bottom of the hull gets a temporary or permanent dent from being strapped too tightly to a rack or stored improperly in the sun. A little bit isn't a dealbreaker, but a deep "w" shape in the hull will mess with your tracking.
- The Foam Core: Since it's a triple-layer boat, check the inside of the cockpit. If you see deep gouges that go through the outer plastic and into the light-colored foam, that's a spot that might eventually take on water or weaken the hull.
- The Seat: Old Town seats were decent for their time, but the foam and fabric might be disintegrated by now. Luckily, you can usually swap them out for a modern aftermarket seat without much trouble.
Why It Still Beats Modern "Cheap" Kayaks
You might be wondering why you'd bother hunting down an old town loon iii kayak when you could just go to a sporting goods store and buy a brand-new plastic boat for $300.
The truth is, many of those modern "budget" kayaks are built with thin, single-layer polyethylene. They're floppy, they don't track straight, and they often lack the structural integrity of the older Old Town models. When you sit in a Loon III, it feels like a real boat. It feels substantial. You aren't worried that a sharp rock is going to poke a hole through the hull.
There's also a sense of community. When you're out on the water and you see someone else in an old Loon, there's usually a mutual nod of respect. You both know you're paddling one of the best recreational designs ever put into production.
Final Thoughts on the Loon III
The old town loon iii kayak represents a specific era of paddling where "over-engineered" was the standard. It wasn't about being the lightest or the cheapest; it was about being the most reliable. Whether you're a beginner looking for your first boat or an experienced paddler who wants a "beater" boat for rocky rivers, the Loon III is hard to beat.
It's a boat that grows with you. You might eventually buy a faster boat or a specialized fishing rig, but you'll probably find yourself keeping the Loon in the garage for friends to use or for those days when you just want a stress-free hour on the lake. It's a classic for a reason, and if you find one for a good price, don't hesitate. They don't make them like this anymore, and that's exactly why people are still talking about them.