https://oldtowncanoe.johnsonoutdoors.com/canoes/fishing/discovery-119-solo-sportsman

I want to buy a solo canoe for next season. I'm an avid fisherman so I love all the amenities that come with these types of canoes (rod holders, pre-built electronic mounts, foot braces, etc). What are the cons of bringing something like this to the bwca (aside from the unattractive colors...)?

https://paddling.com/gear/old-town-canoe-kayak-discovery-119-solo-sportsman-canoe/ - (Ctrl+f:bwca).
I found one person who brought a previous model of the same canoe into the bwca, and it sounds like everything was fine. Apparently this guy was fishing just fine in wind and rain. If I end up buying my own canoe, I plan on getting a drift sock and a small anchor anyways.

I'm hesitant about spending more than 1k on a canoe, I'm a pretty young guy. This canoe seems like a match made in heaven, and only 900$? Anyone have experience with solo fishing canoes (or kayaks?).

EDIT: https://oldtowncanoe.johnsonoutdoors.com/canoes/recreation/discovery-119?id=11051
This is also another choice that I am considering. It doesn't have any of the features of the other model, but it is cheaper and seems to be more spacious.

Next spring I'm moving back to Minneapolis from my college town. I might want to take whatever canoe I end up buying out on some of the lakes in south Minneapolis (Nokomis, Harriet, Calhoun) and the Mississippi river, but that's about it. If I go to a standard fishing resort I'd rather just rent a boat. The majority of the time it will be used for the BWCA/Quetico area. Also, I'm a small guy at 5'9 145lbs.

I don't have any experience with any of the above canoes. Like most pieces of equipment, I think you get what you pay for. Canoes like these would float just fine. I think you'll find they wouldn't paddle/track as well and may be heavier than many would want to portage for a solo canoe. If it's what you can afford, have at it and get outdoors. Most everyone I imagine would buy a $5K canoe if money weren't a factor. You'll find some much more knowledgeable opinions on here. Another option is to look to better canoes and just go used for probably not that much more. Check with a bunch of outfitters, they typically turn over a lot of their canoe inventory every winter. Good luck!

A primary concern I might have is weight, at 54 pounds (gear likely adds more) portaging can become a chore. While a chore it is very do-able. Your profile shows you have been there so you can best judge what you can carry. Hull design and length impact stability and travel. Longer slimmer boats travel well, but are not as stable as shorter and wider boats which would be great for fishing. It is a trade off you must decide to fit your plans for tripping.
If money is a concern you might look into used boats. Lots of folks have money to burn, get a boat then do not use it. Some good buys out there. And be smart, use the money you save to get some other gear.

That looks like a good fishing canoe at a great price. It probably won't be the fastest canoe or the easiest to portage but you have to make trade offs based on what your priorities are. I have carried many a heavy, slow canoes in my day and they were awesome to fish out of.

Hey Reefer... welcome to the board. :)

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I own a regular Old Town 119 and an Old Town Next you are welcome to try before you buy. I love the 119 12 foot length for small rivers and creeks, but hate the flat bottom. It has no secondary stability. The Next, while heavy is very comfortable and well suited to fishing out of.

I'd prefer something in the 16' range for the BWCA/Q. I like a 33"-36" beam for stability also. You would want something that can take some waves as well as room for packs. For smaller lakes around home I think that boat you cited would be great. You could put most of those finishing touches on any canoe for $100-200(or cheaper).


This is what I have done. Lots of good personal touches can be added. Doing a search on this site would keep you busy all winter. LOL

I have an Old Town Pack canoe, I've used it in the BW a few times and paddled it alot in Alaska, it is a very stable canoe but doesn't track very well. It takes big waves pretty well and is quite stable.
There is an Old Town 119 for sale on craigs list by Fergus Falls for around 500 dollars.

The Discovery 119 is not a good canoe the BWCA. It is too short to paddle very well and too heavy for portaging. I owned a 12' Old Town Pack canoe decades ago. It was made of Royalex and weighed a lot less than the Discovery 119. It had a more rounded bottom and lightweight cane seat. It was good for fishing and exploring creeks on day trips and that was about it.

If you measure your paddle distances in football fields (100 yards), a 12' canoe is fine. If you measure your paddle distances in miles, you will be much happier in a longer canoe. I would suggest 14' minimum. I sold my Old Town Pack and bought a used 14' Mad River kevlar canoe.

I strongly suggest you rent one for a weekend before you buy.

I'll second the notion of getting a longer, lighter, higher-quality used boat off craigslist.

You have all winter to find one that suits you.

You might even post a "wanted" ad here on bwca.com with your parameters.

PowerLizard: "The Discovery 119 is not a good canoe the BWCA. It is too short to paddle very well and too heavy for portaging. I owned a 12' Old Town Pack canoe decades ago. "

I own a 119 - it is horrible as a BWCA trip solo canoe!!!!! too heavy, too short and too wide.
That being said - it is good for the grand kids to use for fishing when they don't have to portage and can come in when the water gets too rough!
I would suggest looking for a Bell Magic! Stable, sleek, fast and light!

Look at this.

https://westslope.craigslist.org/boa/d/grand-junction-wenonah-wilderness-solo/7042471392.html

I just posted that link in the for sale forum as well. They are not my boats, and I am not affiliated in any way with the seller.

Let me know if you have any questions I may help you with.

dave