Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman

unable to locate this boat for sale. Links take you to pages offering a different model that is much more expensive. This canoe appears to be discontinued in favor of offering more expensive but less practical alternatives.

If you are not modifying your gear, you are not using it! Because of the many negative reviews, I feel that I need to point out that, a lot of the things we purchase are mass produced, and therefore, do not fit everyone exactly.

I bought the Dicks version and hated the seat and position, so I bought a cane seat, a crazy creek and installed foot pegs. . . Now it is a great boat for me. I also added some D rings to the bottom of the boat, for strapping a cooler or a 60 liter barrel.

Anyways, it is an awesome boat for me. I have had mine for about 7 years and it has held up wonderfully. If you have a dog on the water. . . A canoe is the only way to go!

depuis 1 mois j essaie ce canot,, et franchement je suis impressionné ... stable ,,,et garde sa direction .. j emploie une pagaie werner,,,la baja ,,, que j ai rallongé a 265cm,,,, et c est parfait,,, ce canot navigue franchement bien,,, la coque est rigide,,,le fait qu il soit court aide sûrement a cet effet,,, et la liston en vinyle,,, est robuste a souhait,,, aucun regret,,,, c est certain que vous pouvez trouver plus leger,,,(50lbs) mais la résistance du produit de la coque est sécurisant,,, je mesure 5pieds 7 pouces et pèse 190 lbs,,, je suis en forme,,, et ce canot me convient parfaitement,,,et a 62 ans,,, j en ai eu des canots dans ma vie,,,celui-là,,, c est vraiment bien,

I purchased this boat online and it shipped directly from Old Town. It was packaged well and I damaged as received from Old Dominion Freight. Upon inspection, there were two holes in the bottom of the hull going all the way into the foam core. I contacted Old Town about the issue, and after nearly a week, I called them back and they advised that this is a common issue with their boats and affects neither performance or durability. I guess time will tell, as their solution was to mail me a piece of plastic to melt into the holes.

Furthermore, the specs listed by Old Town are off. The depth is listed as 19” at the bow and stern and actually measures 18”. Amidships, Old Town advertises 13.5” and my boat measures 12”. Additionally, the width is advertised as 32.5” and is actually 31.5” on my boat. Not huge differences, and will be of benefit 25 percent of the time, but if someone is looking for a small river runner could make a difference (especially when coupled with the useless keel on the boat).

The only reason I purchased this boat was for a cheap knockabout boat to drag over the shoals when the river is low, but I wasn’t expecting to be patching one before I even hit the water. Or pay full price for a factory defect.

Have had this Old Town canoe for years. Added a trolling motor bracket makes for an excellent time cruising in silence!

I took my new Old Town Discovery 119 on its maiden voyage today, in early April, and I was pleased. I am a 64 year old man in pretty good physical shape for my age. I also have experience in canoes from decades ago.

I carry the 119 in the 6' bed of my mid-size pickup. I have 8' of support for the canoe with the tailgate down. I secure it with two light duty ratchet straps. Loading, unloading, and traveling is a breeze.

I had not been in a canoe in many years, so I took my first ride with the canoe empty, except for myself and a paddle. I use a paddle because I used to be pretty good with "J" stroking - and apparently still am. Some have written about using a kayak paddle with the 119; there is certainly nothing wrong with that, but I did not want to manage the bulk. The first hour long trip around a small lake was pleasant and uneventful. I quickly regained my canoeing confidence.

I returned to the boat launch and attached a webbed backrest to the seat, which really enhances comfort. I loaded the 119 with one 8 lb. mushroom anchor and one ultra-light spinning rod and reel. I carried a small assortment of tackle in a plastic box in one of the pockets of my fishing life vest. All went well for a couple hours of early season fishing - too early for the fish it seemed. I secured the anchor to the front thwart and stowed it in front of the thwart, which was quite handy. I stored my rod and reel behind the seat, pointed astern, while paddling, which worked fine until I carelessly allowed it to slide and project out the starboard side. I jeopardized a treasured old ultra-light rod with my carelessness, but that was no fault of the 119.

In summary, I think the Old Town Discovery 119 is a great little canoe. It is light enough for an old guy to manage, performs acceptably on quiet water, and meets my expectations.

I am 6 feet two inch high and 215 lbs. The weight is no problem for this boat but seating was only 6 inches high. I cut the metal plates in two parts and riveted together. Now the seat is about 2 and a half inch higher - much more comfortable and no problem for stability.

The weight is 49 lbs, the Old Town specification is more or less true. This is ok (and very good for poly boat), I can put it on my car without problems.
Good boat, I'm happy with it!

So pushing my rating from a 7 to an 8 and would even consider a 9 because of it's superb handling but doing all the mods holds me back from that. Could have been a 9 if original seating arrangement had been more practical for canoeing as opposed to kayaking.

Stable enough if you know what you're doing but don't forget where you're at for a second. Tracks well enough for such a small canoe and handles great in tight spots.

Note: I also put a yoga type pad on the bottom to protect my "old" knees. All in all I think we'll get along fine. But being Canadian I envy all these folks who paid as little as 300.00. Price in Canada is, well let's just say way more.

One complaint I have is the placement of the seat. It's way low and I felt I was sliding out of it. It looks like an easy enough fix though. Overall it's a great boat for the money. I'm very pleased with it.

I love this canoe because I can easily car top it, and its even easier and quicker to throw in the 5 1/2 bed of my truck and secure with 3 tie downs. Its fairly light for a poly canoe and can easily be carried down steep, rough put-ins, I'm 5'6" and 120 pounds, also I can easily drag it fully loaded over gravel bars or grass to get around log jams, the Polly 3 hull is tough and does not scratch much, also it did not crack or split at all even when ice was forming on the hull and gunnels while duck hunting in December.

It's not the fastest boat and does not track well at all, I use 95% single blade paddle with a good J or C stroke and it does fine, I use a kayak paddle for fighting up stream in winter when I cannot afford the drag loss for a C stroke. It does not have the initial stability that my other two flat bottomed canoes have and can feel tipsy at first, but it can be leaned way over with proper balance and not dump you. I have no problems casting, shooting (it does rock a lot shooting broadside) or leaning over to get things from the water and have not been dumped yet.

Overall its its a tough, cheep boat that gets the job done and I don't feel bad when putting a few scratches in it.

The boat does not track well in flat water and requires a j-stroke every stroke. It does turn quite well and should be good once I get into moving water. If the seat were raised much more it would put the center of gravity pretty high and might be tippy. I really wanted a solo canoe to paddle like a canoe, not this. It would help if Old Town offered a real canoe seat. Perhaps the Pack would be a better option, but it costs $400 more.

After using the canoe a while I did change the seat to a tractor type saddle, hung on wooden dowels. I kept the seat from the 119 and last year put it in another canoe of ours (a square stern Old Town Predator). I like it in that canoe. I continue to use a double bladed paddle with the 119 and its still lots of fun to paddle.

To each his own I guess, but for all you folks not digging your canoe paddles just send'em to me, I'll put'em to good use.

Some points:
The seat sucks. It's the plastic Old Town canoe seat that you always feel you're sliding out of...but it is very low in the canoe and really adds stability. I took out the seat, and installed a couple of 2x4s cut to length of the mounts as lowering brackets and some Home Depot oak planks as a seat. This allows you to mount whatever cushioned back rest seat you want. It works very, very well.

A lot of early reviews say this boat was "tippy" I think that maybe the early boats had seats that were to high in the boat. I've noticed that there are YouTubes of aftermarket seats that are high in the boat. This canoe works best if you are sitting down in it.

Your Paddle....Don't mess with a regular canoe paddle. Use a kayak paddle. A canoe paddle is nice and traditional, but it's extra work with this boat. The only problem with a yak paddle is you get water in the boat. Your stroke is going to sweep the paddle past the drip ring inside the boat. Maybe a longer paddle will fix this (my next purchase.) With a Kayak paddle, this boat is very easy to turn, but tracks as good as any 12 foot yak I've seen.

It's very very durable. I believe it is the exact same hull material as the other length discovery canoes. Discovery's are commonly used as rental boats.

This boat tracks pretty straight overall. Due to the length, this thing turns pretty well too. It won't win any races, but it works well for river paddling. Out of all the boats that I have owned or paddled, this one is one of the best. For the price, this thing is great. It can haul a lot of gear. I am about 280lbs and this thing holds me and any gear that I have with ease.

I highly recommend this boat. Dicks sells an identical version of this boat called the Kaynoe. It says its a field and stream, but it is exactly the same as the Discovery 119. I got the Kaynoe there as a blem for $300. One of the best deals for one of the best boats out there. DO IT! You will NOT be disappointed that you did.

Like most people here I had issues with the seat; not horrible, but not comfortable and too high. But my biggest complaint was that the butt cheek molded sockets did not allow left or right trim adjustments for wind or waves. So I ordered a 4-inch drop dowel set from northwest canoe supply, and a wood web seat, and installed it where the other one was. Then after trying it, I moved it back 4 inches father aft, to help with front-rear trim and tracking, now it is perfect for me. But I love to tinker and make things my own, even if something is mostly ok already like a lousy molded plastic seat on a weird metal space age frame.

I give it a 9/10 because it floats this 200 lb paddler, plus gear, in less than 3 inches of water. It is durable, reasonably light (40 lbs after seat mod), and very affordable. It maneuvers well, tracks ok, and handles wind and waves safely. It is stable initially and when leaned. It is easy to modify if you want, and the polylink hull is really tough. Good inexpensive solo boat for a brief fishing trip and a week out on the river. Get this boat and a $150 paddle, and you are still into it for less than half or a quarter of what most solo canoes sell for, and you will have a reliable, durable, fun, and useful boat that you will use a lot and enjoy for a long time. Mainly, I love that it gets me out anytime!

Takes some adjustment, figuring out how to best manage your own weight and paddling strategy but overall I have not had problems with stability. I often alternate between sitting on the seat and kneeling depending on where I'm paddling. Agreed that double sided kayak paddle greatly improves ease of maneuverability however a good J stroke will be sufficient.
Awesome little boat

I've used this for fishing in ponds, lakes and slow rivers. It is perfect for these type waters and can handle 1 and 2 class rapids with ease. This is a tough and durable canoe and at a price of around $400, you can't go wrong.

I rated this canoe at an 8. The reason is because of the seat. The seat is not comfortable and feels like it is tilted forward. I've tried all kinds of cushions and the most comfortable I've found is a throwable floatation cushion. If I had it to do all over, I would buy it again!!

I had lowered the rear of the seat 3/4 of an inch before launching, and it made the seat much better than expected after reading all the gripes about the seat. I only paddled for an hour, and this is my first solo canoe, but it is far more stable and paddles so much better than expected, that I can't see why anyone would want a more expensive canoe. I've paddled and Old Town Pack extensively, and with the exception of the 119 being heavier, it is better everywhere else for $600 less than the PACK. And FAR more stable.

I recently purchased the Guide 119 (Camo) and have to say that with all my experiences on the water (lakes, rivers, bays, etc.) over the years I felt like a novice in this canoe! I felt like I was on a carnival ride the moment I sat down in it. I'm not a big person (5'6"; 170 lbs.) but just could not feel comfortable reaching for anything (tackle box, rod, fishing net, etc.) during my time on the water. Within an hour and a half on my maiden voyage, I was in the water with all my gear floating inside the canoe! It happened so fast that I had no time to recover from the top heaviness feeling I had just before entering the water! I swam to shore, emptied the water out, filled all my gear, and headed for the boat ramp. Loaded the canoe on the car and headed back to the store where I purchased this and asked for a refund.

This OT Guide 119 canoe is made of quality materials, is very light to handle on/off the car for one person but have to say that I was not impressed with the handling of this unit on the water. Not many folks have spoken of this in their reviews but I actually purchased this unit based on the entire positive (10 of 10, etc.) feedback that people gave. Stable is mentioned in the product description! I beg to differ!

Buyer's: do yourself a favor and go out and purchase a little bigger canoe than the Guide 119. You will not regret it!

It is light and easy to load up alone and be put in water quickly. When I hit some areas that could not be navigated, I led her from the bank like a calf on rope. Problem solved. I would not want to try this on really rough runs alone.

It tracks well enough for me and I can handle it on small creeks and calm river with a dual paddle.
I did lower the seat four inches with long stainless steel bolts and plastic spacers. It helped to stabilize the load.

This canoe fits my needs and I am glad I bought it

Is this the most stable canoe? No. It is not! There was a learning curve for me. A double bladed paddle is a must for any length of slow moving water, as the keel is way small and really pointless, a flat bottom would be more appropriate. I'm 6'4" 235lbs, so I'm not the normal sized paddler for a short canoe. However I carry about 40lbs of gear with me and with my dry bag under my seat and my cooler tethered to the front thwart, I can lean back in my seat and kick my feet over the sides in calm water with no stability issues. For anything over a class I rapid I prefer to kneel for extra stability. I've also added a 48 inch float bag in the front and 30 inch in the back (will likely go to a 48 inch in the rear next spring), just to keep the extra water that will crash over my bow out of the boat and keep it easier to handle when I take on water. I routinely float a river section with multiple class II and III rapids. Can't wait to add some camping gear for our overnight trips.

CONS: Seat, keel, stability.
PROS: Weight, maneuverability, price

Tried 14' canoe, and it was just too burdensome to try to turn in fast water, close quarters, etc..so decided this time to try the Discovery 119. First thing is of course that if you're going to use a canoe paddle, you'd better have a solid/comfortable J stroke, and be in no hurry. The side-to-side drift is terrible if you don't, and you certainly won't get anywhere in any significant head-on current. As stated by many here, a proper length, style kayak paddle is almost essential with this boat, or you'll work yourself to death, in wind, and current especially. To it's credit, this canoe did track surprisingly well on a glide on flat water with no wind. Primary stability was also better than I'd hoped considering what I'd heard about these canoes. The secondary stability however is as stated by most, and leaves a lot to be desired. It can be fished out of, but takes some getting used to.

The seat, although reasonably comfortable for the first 1hr., became increasingly uncomfortable after that.

I bought this canoe used, but like new for about half of the new price. I never would have paid the new price knowing what I know now about the canoe, although since I got a great deal on it, I have a place for it specifically for what I bought it for, only to run gravel bar creeks. It seems to have plenty of room for camping out of for a night, or two, and I'm confident that I'll be pleased with it.

I find this canoe better than most, and for the price, it's a real bargain if you can find it at a significantly less used price. I do not recommend this boat for flatwater, unless you're in an almost no wind/sheltered location. Otherwise, it's a nice little boat. I strongly recommend making sure your kayak paddle is of sufficient length, and has drip rings to keep water out of the boat.

I find it tracks really well on flat water with a reasonable J-stroke (even better with a 5 yr.old sitting in front of me). I tried a kayak paddle on the river today and was really impressed with how quickly it will scoot up river for a canoe. I've attached some bungee rigging for storage and paddle keepers. I also am using a 1.5 lb folding anchor on a 24ft retractable dog leash. It holds well in the current and the leash keeps the floor clean and the rope free from tangles. A rope cleat secures things as to not put too much stress on the leash holder.
Best fishing boat for solo or Dad and 5 yr. old yet. In a few weeks I plan to add some DIY outriggers with Scotty rod holders so I'll be able to stand up and sight fish on the river with a fly rod. I can't wait to take this one out for multi-day trip.

I gave it a 10 as I am on a lake which can get rough at times. I'm used to a 16 foot kayak and this canoe is quite stable compared to my kayak. I was prepared to have to change the seat given the reviews but the seat location is perfect as far as I'm concerned, but then I use a kayak paddle, not a canoe paddle. The first kayak paddle I used was a bit short (230 centimetres). Am now using a paddle now that is 250 centimetres and it is a better fit.

It was a lucky find in that I had considered buying a solo canoe years ago but then my back started giving me problems. This solo canoe, allowing for the use of the kayak paddle means that my back is okay. On a big lake with a kayak paddle this canoe is a joy! It bobs in the big waves like a cork and is extremely stable. It's not fast, but having a good paddle helps to make it as fast as it can be. Synchronicity?.... I wasn't looking for this canoe but it appeared before me.

I use a single paddle and have had no issues, even in heavy wind. A "J" stroke is a must. I found that once you got going the tracking greatly improved. As a 42 yo paddler tired of lugging around my disco 169 this is a breath of fresh air. I will say that trying to carry this canoe around on your shoulder gets old real quick. I made a carry yolk that slips on and off when needed and it was a great improvement.

For the money you will not find a better solo canoe out there period...

On the water, the 119 felt very stable and seaworthy. I paddled it in heavy winds the first day without difficulty. In a calm cove, the boat was a joy to fish from, with plenty of space for tackle.

The main problem with the canoe is the seat, which I would give a rank of 0, or minus 0 if possible. It is the worst designed seat I have ever encountered in 30 years of boating--a complete disaster. Here's what is wrong with the seat:
1. Positioned too high making for instability.
2. Bottom of seat is completely horizontal with no rake.
3. Seat bottom is about 4 inches too short, providing no leg support.
4. The back of the seat is rounded, giving support only where the back touches the backrest--with no low or high support.
5. The backrest does not begin until the first few inches from the bottom.
6. The backrest will not fold neatly down on the lower seat.
7. The backrest will not recline more than about 90 degrees.
8. Seat is too heavy.
With seat modifications, however, and using a double paddle, I was very pleased. It is the boat I have been looking for.

Although the seat is a monster, it can be improved 90% and made useable by lowering it as described and increasing the rake. I will probably remove it at some point and build my own seat.

All in all, my OT 119 works great for me. It's manueverability is a joy on narrow creeks, and it works just fine in my hands on open water. Your milage may vary. I would definitely buy another one, but I expect the one I have will last me a long time.

PROS: This is a very pretty little boat - especially for the price. It is very nimble and a lot of fun to maneuver in tight places. It acts a lot like a kayak in many respects but it is considerably less stable than our Perception Dancer. It cartops almost effortlessly. Outside of a float tube this is about as easy as it gets. It is quite rugged, especially for a 43 lb. boat.

CONS: The lack of secondary stability requires you to be constantly vigilant. It is more "tippy" than you first expect. This is NOT a good boat for any kind of fishing. If you are really focused on fishing you will end up in the water with the fish! The boat is extremely manueverable and paddles very nicely with a double bladed paddle but it blows all over in more than a breeze (a double bladed paddle is almost essential in wind). The boat is fun to paddle with a regular paddle but it is very slow. It will track straight but not without effort and skill. The seat is too high to be stable and too low to fit feet under in a kneeling position. I outfitted mine with a backrest and accept the extra instability in return for comfort. When the water gets rough I slide forward and kneel completely. It's not ideal.

I am sure you COULD paddle this boat in whitewater but you would be doing it mostly for the challenge,the boat is not suited for moving water. Just for fun I tried paddling the 119k with two big adults (about 400 lbs.- 75 lbs shy of its 475 lb rating). It was miserable. We swapped ends (seat and thwarts are better spaced with two when the stern is forward) and each kneeled but the boat simply would not quit jumping around. It ended up working best with a double bladed paddle in the stern and the bow person just sitting very still. Not fun. I had really hoped to be able to press this canoe into service for fishing in ponds but the sad truth is that it requires too much attention to allow one to enjoy the fishing. Flyfishing would be almost impossible and I can't even imagine trying to hunt from it.

CONCLUSION: Don't even consider this boat for hunting/fishing! It is the right size but far too tippy for kids. It might be OK for solo tripping but I think there are better choices. If you are an accomplished paddler and want a very nimble open boat it might be the ticket but paddle this boat BEFORE you buy it! We will keep the boat because it really is fun to paddle but I would hardly call it practical. I find myself looking at stabilizers and sponsons with the hope of improving stability but contraptions are not the answer. Instead I end up just taking one of our other boats for fishing.