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I used to rent the 169 extensively for solo or tandem canoe camping trips, usually about three day trips. Many good reviews on this boat, basically a great traditional shape (one of the classics). The big drawback on the nearly indestructible Discovery line is weight. However the 169 is not much heavier than the shorter Discovery 158, and the better choice between the two for most. The 158 has a flatter floor (more oil canning), simpler shape. We bought the 158 because our state was threatening to require all boats, including canoes, over 16' to be registered and numbered, though ultimately non-livery canoes were excluded. The 169 does well in rough waters and rapids. The 158 is a bit easier to turn, maybe a little easier to solo though the 169 is a more efficient hull design. Neither boat is well suited for three adults.

My Odyssey is 14'2", Royalex, 49#, Adjustable thwart option, about 17 years old? Would rate it about eight and a half. I have somewhat of a love / hate relationship with this canoe but overall yearn to take it out again. Only a couple cons, it is very tippy when entering or exiting the boat, and it is not terribly efficient for fast flatwater paddling.. I have mine set up fairly narrow but, at least in front, I could set it a hole or two more narrow. I have the rear thwart set one hole wider than the front so the section behind the seat can fit my folding bicycle. I usually sit on the floor on a PFD cushion and use a kayak paddle most of the time, switching to the seat and canoe paddle for a change or if I'm wet. I don't count on staying dry in this boat. Another reviewer said he lowers the seats in all his solo boats 4-5", and I think I'm going to make that modification myself. Sitting on the floor the boat is quite stable and handles light enough that I can usually get out of trouble. The boat handles lighter than it is, but it's 49pounds feel light after handling our other boat (88#). Although it probably has thousands of small scratches and gouges, it still looks pretty good, has proven to be a very tough boat. Another reviewer said the boat tracks well but is tough to turn is dead opposite my experience. Setting the thwarts narrower gives the boat more overall rocker, so the boat's shape can change handling.

An excellent overall canoe, we've owned ours for over twenty years. Extremely tough, and preforms well on the water. We use it almost exclusively on rivers, with it's lack of a keel and heavy weight, it would be a poor choice for a lake canoe. Suitable for two or solo, I used to use it extensively for canoe camping. Our older one has the molded seats, we drilled a hole in each so they would drain. I see they now come with webbed seats instead, and they have shaved about eight pounds off the boat down to a still heavy eighty pounds. Really, the weight is the one real problem with this boat. It has to be moved with care to avoid injury, my wrist is still not fully recovered from when a partner let it flop over on me while carrying it almost twenty years ago.

An excellent overall canoe, we've owned ours for over twenty years. Extremely tough, and preforms well on the water. We use it almost exclusively on rivers, with it's lack of a keel and heavy weight, it would be a poor choice for a lake canoe. Suitable for two or solo, I used to use it extensively for canoe camping. Our older one has the molded seats, we drilled a hole in each so they would drain. I see they now come with webbed seats instead, and they have shaved about eight pounds off the boat down to a still heavy eighty pounds. Really, the weight is the one real problem with this boat. It has to be moved with care to avoid injury, my wrist is still not fully recovered from when a partner let it flop over on me while carrying it almost twenty years ago.