The Malibu ePDL+ 120 is Old Town’s bold entry into electric pedal kayaks—and after trying it, we’re hooked. This 12-foot boat combines a kayak hull with an e-bike-style assist system, making paddling (or pedaling) feel effortless. We tested it on a nearby lake, and it definitely turned heads. The pedal-assist motor lets you cruise farther and faster with minimal effort—like catching a permanent tailwind.
Most people at the boat ramp had never seen an e-kayak before, and honestly, neither had we. Traditional pedal kayaks are common, but the ePDL+ adds a battery boost that changes the whole experience. In this review, I’ll break down what we loved, what could be better, how it performed on the water, and whether the Malibu ePDL+ 120 lives up to the hype—and its price.
🔗 Get your Malibu ePDL+ 120 here: 👉 https://bit.ly/4hnYfrb
Check out our review of the e-foil, another PEV meant for the water, here.
What we love about the Malibu ePDL+ 120
- Effortless Pedal Assist – Five levels of pedal power assist (plus a full “cruise control” mode) make long trips and up-current slogs a breeze.
- “E-bike on Water” Experience – The thrill of cruising hands-free like an e-bike, with manual pedal, power-assisted, or fully motorized drive at your disposal.
- Sturdy, Stable Design – Wide 34.5″ hull and 12-ft length provide a rock-solid, tip-resistant ride, great for beginners or bringing along gear.
- Comfortable All-Day Seat – Adjustable, breathable frame seat that feels like a lawn chair – my back and legs stayed happy even after hours of pedaling.
- Ample Storage & Features – Bow, center, and stern storage (plus gear tracks and rod holders) mean you can pack a cooler, tackle, or even a dog without issue.
- Impressive Battery Life – Huge 36V 20Ah lithium battery gives you hours upon hours of assist; on low settings you could literally pedal for days.
- Built Tough by Old Town – Rotomolded polyethylene hull with a lifetime warranty – you’re not afraid to bump logs or rocks, and it’s saltwater-friendly too.
When I first hopped in and started pedaling, the pedal assist kicked in silently and I shot forward faster than any normal kayak. It’s honestly shocking (and addictive) how little effort is needed at level 5 assist – I was moving at a brisk pace without breaking a sweat. Much like an e-bike, the Malibu ePDL+ 120 lets you choose how much work you want to do: you can get a workout by pedaling with no assist, or dial it up and cruise lazily. We had five assist levels to play with (more on that later). At level 1, the motor gives a gentle boost, and at level 5, the kayak zips along enthusiastically – wind and small waves felt like no big deal.
Hitting the “cruise control” button was a wild experience: The Malibu ePDL+ 120 in its element – essentially an e-bike for the water with pedals and a motorized propeller. After pedaling up to a decent speed, I engaged cruise mode and the kayak kept moving under power even when I stopped pedaling. It’s like an autopilot for the kayak. You can also nudge it faster or slower with the +/– buttons on the display. I’ve tried kayaks with small trolling motors before, but the integrated ePDL drive is next-level convenient – no separate throttle to fuss with, since it’s all built into the pedal unit and controlled right at my seat.
Old Town didn’t skimp on comfort or storage either. The Element Beach seat on this kayak deserves praise – it’s padded, mesh-breathable, and adjustable. I spent a whole afternoon on the water and never felt numbness or backache. The seating position is high enough for good visibility and easy pedaling. Right in front of the seat, there’s a handy center hatch where the battery resides (secured inside the hull) and where you can toss small gear. We had a dry bag in the bow hatch and a small cooler strapped in the rear well. With a 349 lb total capacity (223 lb usable for you and gear), the Malibu ePDL+ 120 can haul a lot for a solo kayak.
The build quality impressed us. The Malibu ePDL+ 120 is built like a tank (more on the weight of that tank later). The hull is hard poly plastic, same tough material as Old Town’s regular kayaks that last for years. It’s also fully saltwater-capable – cables and components are corrosion-resistant – so you can take it in the bay or ocean.
What we hate about the Malibu ePDL+ 120
- Hefty Weight (126 lbs) – Extremely heavy to lift; you’ll need two people or a trolley to transport it on land. Not fun to car-top solo.
- High Price Tag – At roughly $5,500, the Malibu ePDL+ 120 is a serious investment (costs as much as 3-4 regular kayaks or a decent used boat).
- Bulk for Storage – A 12-foot long, wide kayak takes up space; plus you should remove and store the battery safely. Apartment dwellers, beware.
- Learning Curve & Setup – Some assembly required (installing the drive, connecting the battery, setting up rudder controls) and you’ll need to read the manual for the electronics.
- Not a Speed Demon – Don’t expect motorboat speeds; it tops out around a fast pedaling pace – efficient but still ~5 mph zone (plenty for a kayak, but anyone dreaming of planing across the lake will be disappointed).
- Huge Jump from 4 to 5 Pedal Assist – We wish there was even more gradation between the pedal assist modes. 5 is a little too powerful, and 4 is not powerful enough for the type of riding we would have liked best.
- Awkwardly Placed Wires – There were a few connector wires that looked like they could get easily jammed or stuck.
As amazing as the Malibu ePDL+ 120 is on the water, we have to talk about the elephant in the room: it’s heavy. At 126 lbs for the boat plus ~31 lbs for the pedal drive unit, it was quite a pain trying to load it into my truck bed. This is not a kayak you casually throw over your shoulder. If you’re by yourself, a wheeled kayak cart is basically mandatory to move it. The weight also means once it’s on the water, you won’t be maneuvering around obstacles easily. Thankfully, Old Town included solid carry handles at bow and stern, but still – plan on getting a workout just moving it on land.
The price is another sticking point. For the cost of the Malibu ePDL+ 120, you could buy a pretty nice fishing kayak and a mid-range e-bike, or even a used jet ski. Of course, you’re paying for new tech and premium build – the ePDL+ drive isn’t found on cheap boats – but still, it’s an investment only serious enthusiasts or those with disposable income will consider. Hopefully over time these e-kayaks will come down in price as the tech spreads. If you’re comparing, a traditional pedal kayak (like Old Town’s own Malibu PDL without the “e”) costs much less and weighs less, but then you are the motor. After being spoiled by electric assist, going back to manual pedal power would be tough!
Another minor gripe: storing and handling the Malibu ePDL+ 120 off the water can be cumbersome. It takes up a good chunk of garage space. You also have to remember to charge and maintain the battery. Charging is straightforward (similar to charging an e-bike battery) but it’s one more thing to handle – about 6-8 hours for a full charge from empty. The battery is removable, which is good because you don’t want to leave it in the kayak during transport or long-term storage. We recommend a habit of disconnecting it and bringing it indoors to charge. Also, while the electronics are waterproof, you’ll still want to avoid dunking the drive unit unnecessarily and be mindful of that kill-switch magnet (which stops the motor if the drive is popped up). In shallow water, you should pull up the drive to avoid hitting the prop on the bottom – just like any pedal drive kayak. It’s a bit of a chore in very weedy or shallow areas, where a paddle might actually be simpler.
And yes, you should carry a paddle as backup. The Malibu ePDL+ 120 doesn’t include a paddle, so you’ll need to get one. We kept a paddle strapped on the side (there are paddle holders on the hull) for maneuvering in tight spots and as insurance in case the drive had an issue or we needed to reverse quickly. The pedal drive can be spun in reverse (manually pedaling backwards) to back you up, but the electric assist doesn’t boost reverse pedaling.
Lastly, while the motor assist is powerful, it won’t turn the kayak into a speedboat. We estimate the top speed on high assist is around 5 mph (a decent jogging pace). It’s similar to what a very fit paddler could do in short bursts. The ePDL+ is about making kayaking easier and more fun, not about thrill rides or long-distance record speeds. In strong river current or tides, you’ll appreciate the boost, and you also won’t scare wildlife away with loud engine noise – the e-drive is nearly silent.
Unique Features of the Malibu ePDL+ 120
The star of the show is obviously the ePDL+ drive system. Old Town took their proven PDL pedal-drive and electrified it. The result is a pedal unit with a small display, controls, and a motor integrated with the propeller drive. It offers three ways to propel the kayak:
- Manual Pedal – Just like a regular pedal kayak, no battery needed. Great if you want exercise or if your battery runs out. (In this mode the display stays off and it’s all leg power.)
- Power-Assisted Pedal – This is your pedal assist (levels 1-5). You pedal, and the motor adds supplementary power based on your setting. It senses your pedaling and kicks in smoothly.
- Fully Motorized Cruise Control – You engage the motor to run on its own.
This flexibility is what makes the Malibu ePDL+ 120 so unique. Compared to a traditional pedal kayak, it’s night-and-day in terms of effort. Normally, if you stop pedaling a kayak, you lose momentum quickly. Here, stop pedaling in assist mode and you still glide under power for a bit, or just hit cruise and truly give your legs a break. It’s fantastic for fishing or when you just want to sit back and snap photos of the sunset. And unlike bolt-on trolling motors, the ePDL drive is neatly integrated – no external motors hanging off the side, no extra steering handle (the Malibu has a foot-controlled rudder for steering, just like other Old Town pedal kayaks). Everything feels designed to work together.
Another unique feature: the massive battery life. The Malibu ePDL+ 120’s battery is a 36V lithium pack (20Ah capacity) tucked in the hull. Old Town claims you can get up to 46 hours on the lowest assist setting and about 3 hours on highest assist. If you’re mixing your usage you’ll likely get a full day or two of typical on-water time before recharging. This long runtime really sets the Malibu ePDL+ 120 apart from inflatable e-kayak setups with smaller batteries – many of those might only last an hour or two at best. Here you have endurance for true adventures.
The Freshly Charged Take
Who is the Malibu ePDL+ 120 for? I’d say it’s perfect for the avid lake explorer, the hobby fisher who wants to reach distant spots quietly, or the casual kayaker who just wants to relax and enjoy the ride rather than treat every outing like a workout. It’s also a great equalizer if you have friends with varying fitness levels – put the less athletic buddy in this e-kayak and they’ll keep up with (or outrun) the fittest paddlers. On the flip side, if you’re a purist who loves the burn of manual paddling or if you need a lightweight boat for easy portage, the ePDL+ 120 isn’t for you. The cost and weight are its biggest downsides. For many, a standard pedal kayak or cheaper motorized kayak might suffice. But for those who take the plunge (or pedal) into electric kayaking, the the Malibu ePDL+ 120 is worth it. It truly makes kayaking more accessible and enjoyable.