Old Town Discovery 119 Review
Best For: Lightweight kayak with good storage capacity, this is ideal for paddling longer distances.
Features
- Lightweight
- Canoe style design
- Nylon web seat
Pros
- Light weight for its size and length
- Comfortable seat and easy to paddle
- Good tracking and plenty of room for gear
Cons
- Less stable hull design than some of the other purpose built kayaks
Specifications
- Length: 11'9"
- Weight: 50lbs
- Capacity: 450lbs
- Width: 32.5"
Overview
The Old Town Discovery 119 is another unique design in the duck hunting kayaks category. It fits into more of a canoe category than a kayak, but it is small and light enough to be paddled like a kayak. This kayak doesn’t really fit into any of my hunting scenarios, but I can certainly see situations where its combination of features would really shine.
Being more like a canoe, it is not as stable as some of the other kayaks. But with that trade-off, you get a very light option that has excellent storage capacity and better paddling/tracking performance. This is the ultimate package for someone who needs to use their kayak primarily for transportation to get to their hunting spot. It also excels if you might need to get in and out of the kayak to drag it over obstacles.
If I had a hunting spot where I needed to walk a quarter mile or more to get to the water, and then paddle another quarter mile or more to arrive at the spot, this would likely be my top choice for a duck hunting kayak.
Stability
The Old Town Discovery 119 has a relatively flat hull design, which provides decent stability. It is more of a canoe than a kayak which means it isn’t quite as stable as some of the tunnel or arched hulls you will find in a kayak. Shooting from the Discovery 119 is within its capabilities but if stability is the most important factor for you, I would consider a different option. I personally wouldn’t take this out on a lake where there is the possibility of waves.
Weight
One of the standout features of the Old Town Discovery 119 is its lightweight design, coming in at just 49 pounds. This makes it easy to transport and maneuver, even for solo hunters. It is one of the lightest weight options out of the kayaks mentioned in our poll which makes it a good option if you need to haul your kayak over land before getting to the water.
Price
The Old Town Discovery 119 is moderately priced, making it a reasonable option for those looking for a versatile duck hunting vessel. While it may not be the most affordable option on the market, it offers something different than a lot of kayaks in this price range.
Performance
The Old Town Discovery 119 offers good performance in terms of maneuverability and tracking. It handles more like a canoe than a kayak. The combination of being light-weight and having good tracking makes it a great option for transportation. If you need to paddle long distances, especially if you might need to get out to maneuver around obstacles or shallow water, the Old Town Discovery 119 might be the perfect fit.
Storage
While the Old Town Discovery 119 offers ample storage capacity, it may not be as spacious as some of the larger duck hunting kayaks available. The kayak features an open cockpit that can hold a decent amount of gear and decoys. The capacity really shines when you consider the weight of the kayak compared to others with a similar capacity.
Alternatives
We asked duck hunters what their favorite kayaks were. See how they voted:
Read more kayak reviews or see our top picks for the best duck hunting kayaks
Final Verdict on the Old Town Discovery 119
Verdict: If you primarily plan to use a kayak for transportation to get to your hunting spot, the Old Town Discovery 119 is a great option. It is light weight, has good storage capacity, and tracks well.