Old Town Osprey 140

[jjmaine]

I'm looking at an Old Town Osprey 140 on marketplace for $700 and it looks to be in fine shape. Is that a fair price for one in good condition?

Also, were all of the Osprey 140's made out of Royalex? I'm finding conflicting information on the Internet as it says the Osprey 140 came with a center seat and oar locks but the one I'm looking at just has two seats and a bar in the middle for portage and no provisions for oars?

I just want to make sure I'm buying the Royalex version (if they made two different versions) and that $600-700 is a fair price depending on what we settle on. Thanks for your help as always guys!

 

[Tryin']

Value is extremely subjective, based on what you want in a hull and what the seller thinks they have. If you can get the HIN, it will help narrow the options.

In the meantime, here is the 2008 OT catalog, showing the Osprey in an "Angler" configuration and a "General" configuration.

https://oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/sites/default/files/2023-01/old_town_2008_product_guide_0.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooCxnRHjL-6TiMw71JgPpsHHFaxXG-VPKpHPt-YFLwTrfNsIa4k

 

[jjmaine]

XTC 89566G798 is the hull number I believe and he says it's a '98 or '99. I'll look it up thanks for the help!

 

[M Clemens]

I had a 97 Osprey, my wife really liked the extra width and the stability it provided. All Ospreys were Royalex. $700 is a fair price IMO, as long as there isn't a lot of wear in the stems, or ugly skid plates. The Osprey came in both two and three seat configurations, the nice part about the two-seater is it came in at 54 pounds instead of 57 (From the 2000 OT Catalogue).

 

[jjmaine]

I got it for $500 this morning. There is a bit of wear on the stems but not bad. Maybe I can get some of those protective wraps? How bad are they? It is through the outer layer but not excessive I don't think?

Otherwise in good shape, the seats may need some new hardware but I think for $500 I can't go wrong.

 

[Tryin']

Yeah, as long as the core isn't rotting there, its a pretty easy fix. Even if the foam is deteriorating, that small of an area isn't a big deal.

Look through the "skid plate" threads for lots of ideas on repairing the damage.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Good deal!
Easy fix on those stems. Just don't use the kevlar felt kit. BTW, that's a good starter for a beginner poler.

 

[jjmaine]

Thanks guys! I've been wanting to add something else that I can stand up in from time to time and ease the pressure off my back. I have an Old Town Next too and I find the seat very comfy but even then after 3-4 hours I have to stand up and that boat is tippy!

I'm reading that the Osprey is very stable and good for standing.

I've never thought about poling but it's something to consider!

Any good recommendations on a decent paddle? I only have a kayak paddle I use for my next but want a traditional paddle for this. I'm guessing length is just as critical with a canoe paddle as it is a kayak paddle?

 

[jjmaine]

It seems like installing skid plates is above my pay grade. Do you guys think with the wear on my boat it's absolutely necessary to install ski plates or will I be fine to use the canoe for awhile while I read up on the subject and get familiar with the process.

From the little bit of reading I've done tonight after work I know enough to not but the too good to be true kevlar felt kits!

Thanks guys as always!

 

[Tryin']

Quicker the better, but not really critical. UV will damage the inside-y parts of the royalex fairly quickly, and water ingress is generally considered "sub-optimal".

Dynel is the material de jour for skid plates. Its really not too difficult a task.

 

[Neophyte]

Any good recommendations on a decent paddle? I only have a kayak paddle I use for my next but want a traditional paddle for this. I'm guessing length is just as critical with a canoe paddle as it is a kayak paddle?

I just switched over to single blade this year and I went with Bending Branches. I went with something similar to the Explorer, but if you're not paddling in rocky/rough places you might be fine with a Traveler or even a Beavertail.

The correct length is important but difficult to nail down. There's a ton of different ways to measure, but ultimately you won't know what works for you until you get a paddle and see how it feels. Bending Branches has recommendations on their site that's a good place to start. But the best advice about paddles I got from here was to just get something and accept that you'll probably end up with more paddles.

Hopefully that's a good start. There's a lot of people here that have a ton more experience at this then I do, so hopefully someone will correct me if I'm steering you in the wrong direction.

 

[Gamma1214]

I think the skid plates are something most can pull off (and, if not, you can sand them off & try again). Practice makes perfect and that's a great practice piece.

As for the single blade... Yes, by all means grab one (or more). I'd recommend not breaking the bank, however.

Follow the guidelines on the Bending Branches (or whomever's) website to get your shaft length and then buy a cheapie plastic / aluminum one from Dick's or Bass Pro to try it out. Once you've got it dialed in a little, you can drop a few extra bucks on a nicer paddle that doesn't turn your hands black when using it all day.