Used Solo Kayaks for Sale: Discover by Northwest Kayaks & Tempest 180 Pro by Wilderness Systems

OUR USED KAYAK SALES ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL SUMMER. IF YOU WISH TO BE PUT ON A CONTACT LIST FOR BOAT SALES CONTACT US TODAY!

The Discover is the premium quality expedition solo kayak made by Northwest Kayaks. The Discover is a favorite of professional guides and long-distance paddlers thanks to it’s speed and high storage capacity. This fiberglass speedster’s long waterline slices through calm waters and rough seas equally well. The Discover features super durability and dependable construction for those who insist on the best.

The Tempest 180 Pro solo kayak is an alternative made by Wilderness Systems. Its practically a collector’s item these days as production ended several years ago and you will not find many used Tempest 180 Pro for sale as owners usually keep them for life! Its held in the same high regard by professional kayakers as the Discover but has some different features that are explained below.

Discover Solo Touring Kayak by Northwest Kayaks

We sold out of Discover solo touring kayaks last year. We may have more for sale in 2022 but this is not certain. Our solo kayaks sell very quickly after we make them available – usually after just a few months of use! If you must have a high-performance composite solo kayak right now, we have a white Seaward Vision and a green Tempest 180 Pro – either are available for $999 as they require some work. You can also order a new Discover kayak from us for $2999 in any custom color combination you like if you are willing to wait until autumn for delivery. Compared to the retail cost of $3500 (including our customizations described below) this is a great discount!

Our used Discover kayaks for sale are upgraded from the standard version. Ours are built with maintenance-free fiberglass bulkheads for the most strength, durability, and peace of mind. The standard backrest has been replaced by a custom back-band for greater control and comfort. The standard cockpit rim has been replaced with a custom rim with thigh hooks for improved control in difficult kayaking conditions. All of these customizations were chosen to improve their already high standard of safety, seaworthiness and comfort.

The Discover was inspired from designs originally created by Greenland Inuit paddlers. True to the native form, the Discover is very slender, sleek and low profiled. It shares the same design philosophy and uses the same super solid construction materials and techniques common to all Northwest Kayaks.

The Discover by Northwest Kayaks is possibly the fastest kayak in its class. The long waterline and narrow beam makes the Discover very speedy and attractive to racers and long-distance paddlers seeking to conserve energy. The narrow beam reduces the initial stability in flat water but makes it more resistant to tipping when powerful waves sweep past and beneath its hull. This outstanding secondary stability makes the Discover excel when you inevitably encounter rough waters.

All Northwest Kayaks track extremely well yet are capable of carving very sharp turns when tilted like skis. Other features include a modified-V hull, soft chines and a retractable rudder with locking footbraces. We seldom need to use the rudder except in winds that exceed 15 knots. The perimeter safety lines are invaluable in any sort of rescue operation.

Tempest 180 Pro Touring Kayak by Wilderness Systems

We have only one Tempest 180 Pro solo touring kayak for sale at $999. It is made from fiberglass composite like our Discovers and has a frog green deck and white hull. The Tempest 180 Pro was discontinued several years ago when Wilderness stopped producing all composite kayaks and focused on the smaller poly Tempest 170 and 165. The Pro versions have since become hard to find as most owners keep them for life. Our guides will be very sad to see the last one go! This may be your last chance to buy a Tempest 180 Pro so call us today! New composite Tempest kayaks formerly retailed for $3500.

Our Tempest 180 is in seaworthy shape and we are still actively using it on our tours. But it has some damage on the keel due to being dropped on a hard surface while it was fully loaded. Also, one of the thigh hooks has broken off. Our guides have been using it for several seasons as-is without problems. While the damage does not yet affect seaworthiness or performance, we recommend that the new owner adds fiberglass reinforcement to the keel. The thigh hook can be replaced. We may take these steps at some point this summer if the kayak is still here, but the price will likely go up afterwards.

The Tempest 180 Pro design is also based on the Greenland Inuit school of kayaking. Compared to the Discover, it is an inch wider, has a skeg instead of rudder, and is equipped with the most advanced seat in the world. The patented seat virtually bonds your body to the kayak resulting in the best balance and control you will ever experience in rough water or when doing advanced techniques such as rolling and bracing. Even if you stick to easy paddling conditions, you will love paddling a kayak that features the most comfortable and hyper-adjustable seat ever made. It has two to three times as many adjustment points of any other kayak seat and nearly all can be changed nearly instantly while still paddling!

The Tempest 180 is rudderless but equipped with an adjustable skeg to improve tracking in windy conditions. Most professional or advanced kayakers prefer skegs over rudders for a variety of reasons. The extra inch of width gives the 180 Pro a touch more initial stability than the Discover. Paddlers who do a lot of fishing, photography or bird-watching with binoculars appreciate this. Other features and qualities are nearly the same as those found on our Discover kayaks. We also carry shorter Tempest models made from poly that are shown on our used poly solo kayaks for sale page.

Used Kayaks for Sale: Solo Touring Kayaks
for Sale on San Juan Island, Washington

The Discover and Tempest 180 both carry a huge load for extended camping trips, but they are nimble enough for day paddling. They can handle open ocean, outer coast, calm inland lakes, and even Class 2 rivers. They are by far the most popular kayaks among our guides for camping expeditions. Many select them for day trips, too, despite having other choices of solo kayaks here at Sea Quest, including smaller models.

For another $199 we can add a paddle, life jacket, and spray skirt that are all of top quality and in good condition and ready to be used. See our Used Kayaking Equipment for Sale page for more details. The total package of kayak and gear can be more than $1000 lower than the retail cost when new. The Discover models currently for sale have been used briefly, and exclusively by our guide staff. They look fantastic and are virtually new kayaks! Private carrier shipping is available anywhere in the US if you are not able to pick the boat up in Washington State and usually costs from $200-$400.

Used Sea Kayaks for Sale near Seattle, Washington

Be sure to read more details about used kayak sales on our main page about used kayaks for sale. The intro page explains why our kayaks are in such excellent condition compared to other kayak outfitters. Other helpful information will be found there, too!