Paddle Kayaks · Fishing
If you fish rivers, you already know the problem. A kayak that feels rock solid on a lake can turn into a handful the moment current grabs the hull.
If you fish rivers, you already know the problem. A kayak that feels rock solid on a lake can turn into a handful the moment current grabs the hull. The Bonafide RVR119 was built from the ground up for moving water. It’s an 11 foot 9 inch paddle kayak with a river-specific hull, a retractable skeg, and a deck designed to shed water fast.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
Who the RVR119 is for
This boat is for the river rat. If your home water has riffles, shoals, ledges, and eddies, the RVR119 speaks your language. It’s also a strong pick for lake anglers who want a stand-and-cast platform with serious rigging options. Tournament guys like it because there’s a dedicated slot for a 26 inch Ketch measuring board right in front of the seat, angled so a fish slides down to the fence on its own.
Stability: built for current
The RVR119 runs a river-specific hull with a unique drop skeg system. Skeg down and it tracks straight across flat stretches and crosswinds. Pull the skeg up with the handlebar control and the boat turns on a dime in technical water. That split personality is the whole point. The 35 inch width and catamaran-inspired hull give you a planted feel when you stand, and the kick rocker in the bow helps you push up and over waves instead of plowing through them. I’ve seen bigger guys stand in this boat with confidence in water that would sketch them out in a narrower hull.
Comfort and the RVR seat
The RVR seat is Bonafide’s hand-sewn frame seat, made in North Carolina, and it adjusts 4 inches fore and aft for trim. Bonafide moved the seat a little more forward than on their other boats, closer to a 50/50 split, which balances the hull in moving water and gives it a clean drift profile. It’s an elevated seat, so your legs get relief on long floats and you get better visibility for sight fishing. The standing traction pads on deck are a nice touch for bare feet on hot days.
Storage and rigging
This is where the RVR119 really shines. The fully removable Dry Pod (they call it the SS Pod) swallows a full fish finder setup: graph on top, battery inside, transducer below. For the battery, I recommend the WattCycle 12V 100Ah mini LiFePO4 battery with Bluetooth — it runs most 12V trolling motors up to 55lb thrust plus a fish finder, and it’s compact and light. Pull the whole pod out when you trailer the boat or leave it at the ramp, and your electronics come with you. The stern deck fits YakAttack BlackPak Pro crates in all three sizes. You get YakAttack gear tracks, a Triple Action Bow Strap for hauling and rod staging, and full rod tip and butt organization so your sticks ride safe to and from the water.
River-specific details keep showing up. Quiet anchor bow retraction, stern drag chain channels, integrated Anchor Wizard pulley landings at both ends, and a Torqeedo throttle landing for electric power. The stern has a motor mount insert, so a small stern motor is an easy add. Fat Grip handles plus dual replaceable skid plates show Bonafide expects you to drag this thing over rocks. It’s also compatible with the Bonafide Sidekick wheel system for the walk to the put-in.
Paddle performance
On the paddle, the RVR119 feels quick for its width with the skeg down, and it holds a line in crosswind that surprises people. In current, it’s genuinely fun. The upturned stern helps it pivot in eddies, and a flat spot about a third of the way down the hull lets you slide up onto rocks to park and cast. It’s not a speed demon on big flat lakes, and at 85 pounds it’s no ultralight, but for the water it was designed for, it paddles exactly right.
Honest drawbacks
Let’s be straight. At 85 pounds, this is a heavy boat to drag up a muddy bank solo, even with all the grab handles. The price sits in the premium range, so budget-minded buyers should know what they’re getting into. There’s no pedal drive option from the factory, so if hands-free propulsion is a must for you, you’re looking at a stern motor add-on instead. The elevated seat is comfortable, but it catches more wind on open lakes than a low seat would. And while the skeg helps, this hull will never be as fast on flat water as a longer, narrower touring-style fishing kayak.
What reviewers say
The crew at Aaanglers (Outdoor Gear Nerds) put the RVR through real river testing and came away impressed, with one honest caveat: “There are some really good boats to fish the rivers with and this is one of the top options. That said there is no perfect kayak, ever.” That sums up my take too. It’s a top-tier river boat, not a do-everything boat.
Bonafide RVR119 specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 11′ 9″ |
| Width | 35″ |
| Weight | 85 lbs (hull) |
| Capacity | 425 lbs |
| Drive type | Paddle |
Bonafide RVR119 Fishing Kayak FAQ
Can I stand and fish in the RVR119?
Yes. The 35 inch hull, standing traction pads, and self-draining sloped deck make it a confident stand-up platform in calm to moderate water.
Does the RVR119 come with a motor?
No. It’s paddle powered, but the stern motor mount insert and integrated Torqeedo throttle landing make adding a small electric motor straightforward.
Is the RVR119 good on lakes, or just rivers?
It’s tuned for rivers, but with the retractable skeg deployed it tracks well enough on flat water for lake trips. If you only fish lakes, a longer hull would be faster.
What is the weight capacity?
425 pounds, which covers most anglers plus a full load of gear, electronics, and a crate.
- Bonafide RVR119 fishing kayak floating on a shallow river
- Angler standing and casting from a Bonafide RVR119
- Close-up of the Bonafide RVR119 deck showing the Dry Pod and gear tracks
Where to Buy
If the Bonafide RVR119 Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Bonafide website for the Bonafide RVR119.
Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing. Also check out our reviews of the Bonafide XTR130 Fishing Kayak, Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak, Bonafide P127 Pedal Fishing Kayak, and Bonafide PWR129 Fishing Kayak.
