Old Town Discovery 11'9

[Al Agnew]

The Pack is actually a little more stable (initial stability, not final stability) but you have to move the seat forward to make it so. The difference in weight between the two is significant but the Disco isn't so heavy it would cause a lot of problems for the average angler. As for Ozark streams being unfriendly to Royalex, I agree the poly on the Discos is a little tougher and stands up to abrasion a little better, but the trade-off (other than weight) is that the poly is more difficult to repair once you get it all scraped up.

Interestingly, on the Paddling.net boards, they are saying that present Royalex lay-ups need "curing" before they reach their maximum durability. If you buy a new boat fresh from the factory the Royalex is a lot softer than it would be if you bought one after it had sat in a showroom for a year or so.

I keep thinking there's gotta be some reason why Old Town can sell to Dick's cheaply enough for them to undercut the price of the Disco 119s. But I haven't found it yet.

The Disco 119, whether from Dick's or from somewhere else, is a good buy. It won't be the best solo canoe on the market for Ozark fishing purposes, but it's good enough for the price.

[Trout Commander]

Really, where?

Dick's Sporting goods, in the link I posted above.

[Guest]

They do have them at Dick's for 399 but 240 shipping. Wish I would have found yours before I paid for a pack angler plus tax...about 1/2 price for about 15 lbs.

They are on sale for $359 at the dicks sporting goods in carbondale il as of yesterday.

[Justin Spencer]

I think they sell them so cheaply because the product has gone to crap. Not near the quality of boat they made 10 years ago. The last few batches I have bought tend to delaminate and get big bubbles in them, and they just don't last like they used to. Would probably still be good for a personal boat, but not so for outfitters because they just don't last.

[grizwilson]

The only difference between the Dico 119 and the pack is the material and seat. The pack is made of royalex while the disco 119 is 3 layers of polyethylene. I have the disco 119, and it is a great entry level solo. It has taken everything I can throw at it.

15 lb and $500....

[Brian Sloss]

Ditto what Justin said, but I would buy an older Old Town that was in good shape in a minute for the right price. The Discoveries and Expeditions (same boat, different label) made in the last few years are not constructed well at all.

[E Green]

I desp. want a solo canoe and am ready to buy one ASAP. I want one for fishing in smaller lakes, ponds and slow moving rivers/creeks if possible. My total budget would be around 1500.00 which would have to include hardware for the top of car carrier.( I drive a toyota prius and a Pontiac Grand Am, so I think a trailer is out of the question. However, if I can spend a few hundred under that, life would be much much better...haha

I'm looking for the following features/description

shorter (under 14 ft I guess???)

reasonably light

durable/easy to maneuver and paddle, well balanced...hope that makes sense...haha

do you pro's think the canoe for sale in this thread/discussion is something that I would be happy with? Should i just drive to Carbondale, IL and pick something like this up at the Dicks like already mentioned?

any suggestions on the top of car carriers for canoes.

i know...sorry....stinking rookies and all those questions! haha I'm just so ready to go out into some of these wonderful places and fish. I have rediscovered my love for fishing since we moved here from Milwaukee last spring. I love shore fishing but I would love to have more access that I think a canoe would provide. thanks for any advice and sorry for the long post.....

ps..very very interested in this canoe for sale btw...just looking for some advice/direction before I throw my money down...

[bigredbirdfan]

Dont make the mistake of thinking that all Dick's stores have these in stock. I was in the market for one earlier this year and after speaking to multiple managers at multiple locations I was under the impression these are shipped from a warehouse or directly from Old Towne's plants and there was no way "around" the shipping charge. I didn't try the one in IL so I can't say about it but did try all the STL and KC stores with the same results.

[Guest]

Only 1 in carbondale, should still be there. If I had 1500, lets say 1100 after you get a yakima rack...I would be getting a wenonah vagabond, or a mohawk solo 14. It is a great introductory solo, but it is not ideal. It is too short to keep rod tips tucked into the canoe if your poles are longer than 6 feet. Mine is actually a Kaynoe, same as the disco 119 only a different color and I haven't had the issues with delamination that Justin has mentioned. Mine is 3 years old, so maybe I got it before there have been issues.

I would try to test them out to see what you are looking for in a solo. If you are heading over to carbondale, you are more than welcome to paddle mine first to see if it what you are looking for. For example, do you want to stand up? Are you going to be portaging it a long ways? Running mild whitewater or just ponds and creeks. It could be a great canoe to start out with though, it is all personal preference. Plus, think of all the stuff you could buy with the money you have left.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Dont make the mistake of thinking that all Dick's stores have these in stock. I was in the market for one earlier this year and after speaking to multiple managers at multiple locations I was under the impression these are shipped from a warehouse or directly from Old Towne's plants and there was no way "around" the shipping charge. I didn't try the one in IL so I can't say about it but did try all the STL and KC stores with the same results.

There is also one in Columbia. But I am pretty sure you will get the same results also.

How much was that shipping charge???