Some reviewers have said she's slow?? Add a hike to your outing: Leesylvania State Park Hike Through History. I have taken it on week long trips in the North Maine Woods several times. Some reviewers mention the bottom bulging in the 174.This causes negative rocker and makes any soft,flat bottomed canoe steer like a pig. I would never want to use it for long trips but it is great for taking down a calm river. The Old Town Discovery 119 canoe is constructed of three-layer polyethylene, a stiff and durable plastic laminate. Discovery 169 - Old Town The Next tips the scales at 59 pounds, nearly 10 pounds heavier than the Discovery 119 solo canoe. We've had a ball with two adults paddling and two kids with plenty of room to roam in between. Read reviews for the Discovery 164 by Old Town Canoe and Kayak as submitted by your fellow paddlers. My wife doesn't even complain when she helps me move it. Most boaters launch from the Maryland side of Great Falls. I am sadly looking for a slightly smaller replacement, since the 80# is a little heavier at 50 than it was at 30, and it's a lot of boat for my 9 and 11 year old paddling partners in higher winds and waves. I would agree the big drawback is that in a strong wind it is almost impossible to paddle alone. Stay Cool and Slide at Ocean Dunes Waterpark in Upton Hill Regional Park, Stay Cool All Summer Long at Pirates Cove Waterpark at Pohick Bay Regional Park. In fact I will be going down the Mississippi next spring for a 2 years checking out the river. This style of seat is better for those who prefer a double-blade kayak paddle. Guests get to visit the Captain's cabin and ship's hold and enjoy the view from on deck. NOVA Parks has a variety of newsletters that cover the latest updates on everything from events and programs, to golf and waterparks. I thought I was buying the best Too heavy chincy vinyl gunnel warped, seats too high it didnt feel as stable as it should Not a good choice for me. Without a load it sits high and catches the wind like a sail. This is a great all-purpose canoe. My wife and I take it on local rivers. Leesylvania State Park Hike Through History, eagles and nature at Mason Neck State Park, Occoquan Regional Park trails and history, Bull Run Occoquan Trail: Fountainhead to Bull Run Marina, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, Northern Virginia Outdoor Dining: 25+ Great Restaurants with Outdoor Seating, July 4th Fireworks Celebrations and Parades in Northern Virginia. It's heavy, but a cart solves that. This boat may be heavy by some standards, at a little over 80 lbs, but that's not bad for a 17 foot plus canoe. This canoe is hard to beat if you're wanting a really tough canoe that will perform well and if you will pretty much always have two people to load and unload it. Overall, I would rate it as very good. It's such a pleasure to pitch a tent by the river bank open a bottle of wine and soak in the sounds of nature as the sun goes down. Waterparks open daily at 11 a.m. through August 20.*. At about 80 pounds , I would not want to portage it! There are several options to tour and travel the Potomac River from the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria. However, it handles the wakes from motor boats without a problem and is stable enough for me to take pictures with confidence. The boy scouts borrowed it for a Boundary Waters trip and loved all the gear it would hold but not so much on the portaging. The Lake Ridge Park Marina offers three-season boat rentals, with a Universal Access Boat Launch and dock access. I solo a lot and have learned how to maneuver. Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. Yes, it's a bit heavy, but for what its intended for the weight is acceptable. It is unsinkable as we tried! I paddled the on the Green River in utah for 2 weeks no problemo. This canoe might be a bit heavey for smaller paddlers, but at 250 lbs. With my son and 300 lbs. It tracks great on all types of water conditions and is extremely durable. Canoes, pedal boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and jon boats are available for rent from April to mid-October. A sure safety bet for a family. The Discovery 119 is easiest to handle with a double-bladed paddle; some steering stroke technique is required if you want to propel this craft with a single-bladedpaddle. It could stand to be much more stiff in the middle. Nevertheless, I can turn her well enough to handle the upper Delaware without trouble, or the Fulton Chain, or the Raquette River, or the Allagash. Public parking and boat access to the Occoquan Water Trail are available at Occoquan, Fountainhead, and Bull Run Regional Parks. Plenty of room for gear but the best part the Discovery 174 handled great and came through the Class III's as smooth as silk. Capacity? ?compared to WHAT? Into head wind, move to middle, put gear in bow - no problem - just a little extra sweat. However, there are some advantages to this boat. I have taken the 164 to the UP of Michigan and it handled very well. Despite other reviews about the 164 being unresponsive.I think it's very responsive, Im a heavy paddler and can make the 164 turn and pivot very easy it can hold big loads and tracks very quickly through rivers and lakes. Outfitting in this traditional-style canoe remains basic, with ash thwarts and carry handles molded into the bow and stern decks. WebLength: 164 Width: 37.5 Weight: 75 lbs Capacity: 1,250 lbs MSRP: $1,200 USD www.oldtowncanoe.com Slick in more ways than one A digital camera and a daypack of Guests must be at least 16 years old to rent boats and kayaks. After your paddle, enjoy outdoor dining with a view of the river at Brickmakers Cafe and explore Occoquan Regional Park trails and history. Climb UPton is in full swing for the 2023 season! Capsized her. Sure, we got wet, but only from the head-high waves we blasted through. This boat has been stored inside and might have seen the water a dozen times. Other cruises let you check out the monuments from a new perspective, visit George Washington's Mount Vernon, head to the ballpark, enjoy a meal, or simply relax as you cruise the river. It made a big difference. Solo Canoe Review: Old Town Discovery 119 - Paddling I've been through the Allagash with it carried a week worth of provisions and it's taken all the bumps the rocks in Churchill Rapids could through at us with barely a dent to be seen. In wind and no wind. I've had my sternwheels for a couple of months now and I like them. These versions include drink holders and, in the Sportsman model, fishing rod and ammunition holders. Paddled 275 miles on Lake Powwel for 13 weeks last year, large waves up to 6 ft. no capasizes, just fun a very good boat for the money. The Discovery 169 is a great choice You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Web Good condition Normal bottom scratches; no structural damage Durable three-layer polyethylene construction The longest in the Discovery series, with a length of 17'4" Taken her though class II with two adults and two kids. It's very durable. The park also offers a boat launch, paddle tours, and access to the Occoquan Water Trail. Stable, Fast, Reliable & Tough. I just bought a used Old Town Discovery 164. I don't know why other's haven't figured this out way before now but it is a MUST DO for this boat to get real performance out of her! Lake Anne also has a public boat launch area for Reston residents. I canoe mainly small rivers with some whitewater (Class I and II) and find that the boat is responsive for its size and is very durable. Age 55 and over: 25% discount Monday - Friday. This is a great "freighter" for tripping or for family's. Boat Review: Old Town Canoes Discovery 169 - Paddling Magazine New in 2023, paddlers at Virginia State Parks can earn prizes and gear in the Wandering Waters Paddle Quest. The lower seat position makes it most comfortable for use with a double-bladed paddle. Once up on a plane, it gets quite stable. Looking to save a few dollars? It bounces off rocks and large boulders without damage. Memorial Day through Labor Day. It clearly has had a great deal of use, but it still has lots of life left. I don't recommend it for rivers with obstacles and rapids at all. Sailors can rent from a fleet of quality boats including a captained 34 C&C sloop Canadame, 19 Flying Scots, 14 Sunfish, and more. I'm a 250# paddler and fairly strong and skilled. Visitorscan rent canoes, fishing kayaks, rowboats, and jon boats or launch their own boats. Purchased the Discovery 7 years ago. She is one of the fastest, easiest paddling boats I've seen in almost 50 years. And add a hike to your outing on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail: Fountainhead to Bull Run Marina. On weekends year-round, the Potomac Riverboat water taxi ferries visitors to National Harbor and the DC Wharf. Boat & Kayak Rental | Nova Parks However, swimming, paddle boarding, and wind-surfing are not allowed. Bought the Old Town three years ago, and haven't regreted it a bit. By personal choice, most days, it is the slowest craft on the river. I've even done class 3 rapids and come out dry most of the time. She's been out on New Jersey's Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers, in Sandy Hook Bay, New York's Lake George, and the keys of Everglades National Park, as well as all of the rivers mentionedand NEVER turned turtle or gave any reason for complaint. It also has very limited capacity for a true wilderness tripper. Piscataway Crossing offers easy boating access to the Potomac River, with access to Mason and Harrison Islands in the Potomac. WebItem #206136 Green This product is not available. I've had this canoe since 1986 and love it. We used it exclusively on quiet, and sometimes very shallow, small lakes and rivers. It's kind of an awkward boat until you do this. It's a tough call. If you have the time and skills to make upgrades yourself, its possible to carve a custom seat from closed-cell foam and install it in the hull with a structural adhesive, such as Vinyl Tec 2000. Plus the 80#. The Discovery 119 has moderate upturn at the bow and stern, creating some rocker formaneuverability. I took it out yesterday on our lake and I was impressed. I take people out on it who would be reluctant to venture out on a smaller canoe. The 164 was a gift, and not what I would call a family boat based on its lack of initial stability. I have paddled most rivers in New England, as well as the Wisconsin & Mississippi. A bit heavy at if empty somewhat tippy but still great fun. The Old Town Discovery 119 seat gets an upgrade in the Solo and Solo Sportsman models, with a kayak-style bucket seat installed close to the floor of the canoe. It runs almost flat on the water. My Disco 174 is made of Cross Link 3 and is quite heavy. I have several other boats, but this is my favorite by far. Built like a tank? Was a kayaker previously (class IV boater) though I've done some V. Have had the D 174 down III+ solo and w/ 12yo daughter. I am a canoe guide and a skilled paddler and the only positive thing I can say for the canoe is that it is durable. I assume that this boat is more for lakes than it is for rivers. It is a heavy canoe for portaging. Book your rental at the Lake Anne boat dock for $20/hour, cash only. It is a bit on the heavy side, but what do you expect for 17' craft? Have paddled in high wind and big waves and this boat did very well! It's very solid, relatively easy to paddle, and it holds a family of five ( two adults and three kids ). This thing paddles well and is very stable. Noticed the seats after awhile (cane seats could be switched). Read Discovery 164 reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Happy paddeling, Rico in Utah where I have spent 45 years paddeling around the western U.S. Good canoe for the money, especially if you can find a used one. I read the review that stated it does not have much room for gear, and wondered if that guy read the right name on his boatI go to BWCA, and Ontario canoe camping, where we pack almost 1000 pounds in this boat. I have over 400 miles on it from lakes to class 2 rivers and it has performed well. The secondary stability is great, so after just a few minutes you get comfortable and have fun. I had to rent the 174 the past two trips on the greenbrier and thought I was losing touch with my canoeing karma. Until you do lower the seats I would rate this boat at around a 5-6 on the scale of one to ten but once it's gone through it's rebirth (3-4 inches lowered seats) it's a new animal altogether! I mainly went with my 9 year old son in the bow. While not an expert in canoes, I have no problems turning this flat bottom canoe with either my 7' oars or with paddles. Made from three layer polyethylene, the Penobscot 174 is built to be The Discovery 119 canoe is an outstanding choice for fishing and recreational use, suitable for single-blade canoe and double-blade kayak paddles. I suspect that using it as a solo would be more difficult. Discover fun hiking and biking trails in our guide to Lake Accotink. The only replacement was the cane seats after 5 years, I used web seats this time & they are still fine. I have a problem with this crosslink though. Scratches on the bottom but perfect in every other way. Its fun watching the expression on the kids' faces in the next boat over, digging in as I slide on by. The boat is heavy, but I found it quite managable during shorter portages. Realizing the weight, I built a cart to help with getting it to my truck. Mostly paddling it solo, sitting in the bow seat reversed, I have found it to track well and move quickly. Discovery 160K Reviews - Old Town Canoe and Kayak Me in the rear and can control it fine. The 174 is a great canoe if you have some experience. Still, watching kayakers navigate the falls in the summer is one of our favorite things to do at Great Falls. The Best Caribbean Islands For Paddling Lovers, How To Pack And Plan For The Perfect SUP Island-Hopping Adventure. This craft is easy to maintain and remarkably stable in rough conditions. I make several river runs each year, mostly I hunt, fish or trip with it. I also often fish in it. The launch is situated between a pair of wooden docks and offers easy access to the Occoquan Reservoir. Its longer and narrower than the Old Town Discovery 119, making it somewhat faster and easier to paddle, at the expense of stability. Less intense kayaking is popular below the falls, in Mather Gorge, and you'll see kayaks, SUPs, and rafts navigating the river in summer. Plus, the whole family can enjoy a guided tour of the lake on the park's pontoon boat. I would recommend this boat to anyone, novice to instructor. This canoe is made to carry some weight and paddles better when your carrying that weight ( the initial stability calms down and there's always plenty of secondary you'd have to purposely try to tip this canoe over in calm water. I have canoe companies wanting to let me use their boats for free, but I would rather BUY another 174 from Old Towne instead (if they wouldn't sponsor meHINT HINT). WebCompact and fun to paddle, the Discovery 119 has been a long time favorite. And when you tire of being on the water, jump in the water at Northern Virginia waterparks (some of which are right next to these boating areas). Combining the best of both worlds, Old Town delivers the ideal grab-n-go watercraft for anglers and hunters alike. My two sons and I did dump it once in a nice little river and they decided to swim along side the canoe the next mile or so on a hot day. The boat is stable loaded as well as empty, solo. Initial stablity isn't great but secondary stability is very good. Enjoy. The material is very tough, a fair tradeoff for the weight and price. It's more like pickup truck than a Porsche as a solo boat, but it's responsive and tracks in a wind. Still a great canoe. At the same time, when I want to, I can make it turn at will and with the long waterline, I can really cruise. Being an uncovered canoe, we shipped lots of water, requring a bailing stop after each big rapid, but this craft performed like a Timex watch: not much to look at, but it just took its lickings and kept on ticking. We purchased our Discovery 174 approx. In fact, a dedicated Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman model is available, rigged with rod and ammo holders and a kayak-style seat for addedstability. I must admit, I bought it on looks, without any thought to function. REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE TO LOWER THE SEATS ON A DISCO 164 ABOUT 3-4 INCHES BEFORE YOU WILL BE REALLY HAPPY WITH IT! I just ram the boat into shore, and it takes it fine and keep going. )and I find it to be easer to paddle solo.Plus you can't beat the price for what you get. The canoe has been in the water constantly for the last 3 years (4 to 5 times a week through the spring/summer/fall) and always has handled whatever happensand believe me, from glass to light chop to surfing 3 1/2 foot whitecaps this boat has been in it all! I work alone or maybe with a model and have always had no problem loading it on a full size Dodge truck roof. Enjoy a quiet paddle around Lake Anne on a beautiful summer day. We enjoyed kayaking with our teens at Riverbend, and we also saw families in canoes and rowboats. A public boat launch is also available. I do not care for this boat, it is not very stable. I feel perfectly safe with my younger children moving and bouncing around in it. Read reviews for the Discovery 174 by Old Town Canoe and Kayak as submitted by your fellow paddlers. It has a very acceptable weight load and is quite durable. Have rowed it, mostly paddle solo. Works like a charm. A durable, if not indestructible canoe the 164 has proven itself on flat water as well as fast flowing rivers. It also has great capacity (we once went with 4 people including 2 kids). It feels a little unstable at first, but the low initial stability is what allows it to turn well. Looking forward to getting back out on the water with it. It looks Spartan, but has the advantage of versatility, allowing you to sit to either side to tilt the canoe or to kneel with your feet tucked underneath (so long as your feet arent too large). Easy to handle. The reviews I read are all over the board. This is easily remedied by jamming an old plastic milk crate under the centre thwart.Even better if the crate sits on a couple of light timbers about 3' long.Crate is also useful for keeping odds and ends in one place. My boat has a non existent rocker., it is basically flat from front to back. Doable but not pleasant. I bought mine used, have had it for five years and i don't see it wearing out anytime in the near future. Yes, under windy conditions, it can sail and can be hard to turn. The park also has a popular boat ramp area with sailboat hoists and parking for cars and trailers. In addition to the places to rent boats in Northern VA listed above, several area parks offer self-launch boat access. I don't understand it. I will admit the 164 is extremely heavy (especialy with gear) but as far as the cane seats with a coleman back rest to me it is extrmely comfortable. That aside, if it weighed 65#, I'd never need another boatand it's almost 30 yrs old! If you paddle small windy creeks do not touch this canoe you will begin to hate it. The 164 has served us very well and brought much joy. I've had her out with 4 adults aboard. Burke Lake Park offers boat rentals, scenic boat tours, and a public boat launch. The grand-kids (13 and 6) use it on the winding river running into our lake without any problems. The Potomac River, Occoquan River, estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay, and several lakes all offer opportunities for Northern Virginia boating and paddling. It also features an ash-frame web seat thats hung from the gunwales. I have run several class IIIs with the 174 and made them easily. Canoes and kayaks must be carried to thenon-motorized boat landing at Kephart Bridge. The bottom had concaved in and maintained that shape oldtown took it back as a defect I got a penobscot 17 to avoid that problem again and for the lighter weight. After cleaning it up and ordering and receiving the thwart, yoke and attaching hardware and putting them on, I put it out on the pond we live on with my wife and daughter and we had a blast.