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Hello Bear, What a great “Bear’s Discourses” series you shared, thank you. Very informative. I have paddle Wee Lassie designs since ~1990. My current being a Northstar ADK I purchased in 2015. . . . .and yes, I kneel and lean against the Thwart. I know, I know. I do find it paddles very well in this position, but all I know is a 17’ Grumman, 10’ Wee Lassie (needs new wood gunnels), and my ADK. I learned to paddle with a 17' Grumman, and with exponential growth when I discovered Bill Mason's Path of The Paddle series. In my 9-lives period of life, I found the Grumman to be a perfect boat. Hahahahaa. . . . Yep, Spring ice break-up on the stretch of the Wisconsin River (a dammed pool area). I would shove off from shore, slide out to open water and paddle to catch and slide up onto a floating ice island. If it was large enough, I would use one of my 9-lives and place one foot over the center keel, place my hands on each gunnel, while my opposite foot was out pushing my now floating ice-skate along these floating ice islands. It was a blast as my memory of it shows me. Thinking about it now after having spent a number of those 9-lives, I shake my head and express a concerning smirk on my face when I think about this and/or share the stories of having done this in my younger and more endurance years. Anyhow, I binge watched this series today and appreciate you and Northstar’s attention to the details. I have said the following for many years. “You buy boats, you don’t sell boats.”

I don't know if I buy the RoyaleEx comparison to this IXB. I have had the same RoyalEx canoe here in Arizona for 30 years and it's been all over rocks and gravel in lakes and rivers. I have lots of scrapes, rubs and scratches but no ware like you see on this NorthStar canoe's hull tip. Yes the RoyalEx flexes but it actually rolls over objects rather than absorbing a direct impact. My canoe has hung in my garage in 120 deg-F heat for 30 years and the hull is not brittle at all. It has retained its physical properties. RoyalEx is like a tuff rubber outer and inner layer with a thin foam layer between. T-FormEx has replaced RoyalEx now, but they are the same design. The REAL question is price! A comparable T-FormEx canoe is around 2/3 the price of Kevlar type canoes. Basically $2k rather than $3k for a nice canoe.

It sounds like the E6 gunwales are the strongest of you gunwale systems - why are they not recommended for whitewater? I would think an IXP Phoenix with E6 gunwales would be supremely strong and plenty light and make for a stellar river-running solo tripping boat!

What is the name of the boat’s sunscreen? Artur from Brazil here

We rented a Northwind 18 last year and loved it but I couldn't articulate why other than it seemed well built and paddled well. Just an overall very nice canoe. This series of videos has helped show how attention to many small details adds up.

I'm no industry expert, but it seems to me some of the other brands used to be passionate like this back in their early days but have lost that. They had some groundbreaking designs that found success and then have been mostly sitting around since. From what I've seen at outfitters Northstar has made some great inroads by listening to what people want and continuing to innovate while maintaining high quality. It's great to see your success, best of luck in the future.

Dang it Bear, I was trying to decide between a Magic or Trillium but now you've placed me in a Solo. i guess I was using my heart instead of my head. I'd like some extra speed to cover distance but it's probably not worth the tradeoff. This video series has been very interesting and helpful, thanks for putting it out there.

Bear: I learned a lot, but I have a couple questions: I just bought a used Northstar Northwinds 17. What can I do to maintain and prolong its life? What should I do to the wood components?(what is Watco) Where do I get 303? thanks

you did a great job Bear. Thanks for sharing

Great info, thanks much!

How about a video on the Rob Roy.

Such a great song, had to buy the album. 😀

Spending some time learning about canoes while I consider my next boat. This has some great info in it. I’ve enjoyed several of these discourse videos. Thank you!

the resin reacts with MEKP to create bubbles. its not from mixing but the peroxide with something in the resin. OK how long should it sit after mixing before application? Your resin has a VERY fast reaction time. Its often much slower..

Love your passion!

I love my centre seat. Highly recommended. The clamp-on yoke isn't even necessary unless you're planning some really long portages, otherwise I would just leave it off -- totally agree with you, Bear.

Fantastic! Looks like a great time. I hope to be there someday

Why would a photographer prefer a red boat? And what is the benefit to getting a white/gold vs a starlite besides cost savings? Durability?

Thank you for the video Northstar Canoes! Very soon I hope to own a solo canoe...

OK Bear, lets see more paddle content like this.

will it regain its shape after it has been wrapped around a rock? that's the main reason ppl like them on remote locations..

Thank you all for the moment in nature and the beautiful song.⚡☀☀

I've been thinking a lot about the ADK LT. A 10-footer is so much easier for me to carry and store and the light weight would be a game changer. I live near water and just want a no-brainer throw-and-go that is comfortable. Had a 12ft SIS kayak and it was nice but getting from the apartment to the car was a pain and the cockpit was too uncomfortable for me. Downgraded to a 10ft SOT w lawn chair (about 50lbs) and it confirmed a 10 footer + comfy seat is best for my needs but still heavy. The dilemma is I am about 6'1" 195lbs (but can go lower if I'm good), plus a bit of lite day gear or occasional one-night campout. Will the LT work for me if capacity is maxed or is the 12-footer an absolute must?

I just received my Trillium Stealth! Really looking forward to using it this season

I don’t believe any of that. I bought the B17 and the wind pushed it on its side when it was tied on my deck and it cracked on both ends.

Nice innovation on a classic design there Bear. But I'm looking forward to my new NW Solo in a few months which is still in gestation.😉

When you say resin coat do you mean you're coating the mold in resin and letting it harden, then laying up a boat?

great song

Excellent

How would you go about repairing or prepping it before the next outing?

I knew some elements of hull design from building kayaks in high school… but now I know much more. Thanks for the education. Thinking about a Phoenix for the spring.

Loving your videos. My wife and I just bought a used Northwind 17 from Voyageurs North Outfitters in Ely. We’ve rented your canoes in the past and decided we have to have our own….now we do!

Very helpful info. Thanks for sharing the video.

Could the be efficiently rowed (with a drop in row wing type oars)?

can u tell me What catalys for vinyl ester resin please?

Can you do an E6 kneeling thwart on a Polaris?

I have been watching all your videos and doing a ton of research...I just ordered a Trillium in the carbon stealth package! Thanks for these videos. Can't wait to get my canoe in the spring!!

The idea of not using gelcoat sounds like a great idea, based on my experience doing gelcoat repairs. I've have been curious why something like automotive paint, which seems to be much more abuse-resistant, has never been used on canoes. Is it incompatible, or an extra step, or what?

Very good info!!!

I will own a Magic one day!

I have tried the middle seat in my Polaris. I think it would be great for soloing with heavy load, but unloaded the boat sits too high in the water. It's difficult to control it when it winds. I find it easier to solo from the kneeling thwart position. I have a big empty bucket in front of me, roughly in the middle of the canoe. If wind disturbs my paddling I scoop a big enough amount of water in to the bucket for additional weight. In some cases I take up to 30 litres and it really stabilizes the canoe! It's easier than sitting in the center and trying to add weight to both ends of the canoe.

Off topic but same realm. Educate us on paddles. Lengths, grips, blade shapes, straight shaft vs bent shaft. I’m sure you’ve tried them all, my bank account won’t let me, 😂

If I close my eyes and listen to you I see Kermit. Great voice. Don’t get me wrong. Jim Henson had a great voice too.

My B16 has a 3rd seat but it doesn't have any other thwarts other than the short ones in the very front and back of the canoe? Was it suppose to have any additional thwarts?

Love it! Sweet fiddle work too

Great info.

I’m so thankful I found the series.

This boat is sweet. Ethan was nice enough to give us a walk-through. Look forward to posting a Video at some point.

Fantastic breakdown. Thank you so much Bear!