How to pick a Northstar Solo Canoe

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So here’s a challenge – when Northstar already makes a bunch of really great solo canoes, and then keeps adding new ones, how do you pick a Northstar Solo canoe that is perfect for you? Two things are key – figuring out your “paddling profile” and understanding what characteristics makes a particular Northstar a good match for that profile.

Back in 2008, PaddlingLight published How to pick a Bell Solo canoe. I really liked the Q&A format devised to help paddlers build their paddling profile and the scorecard that mapped the answers to a recommended Bell Canoe.

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What’s the connection between Bell and Northstar? Ted Bell sold Bell Canoes in 2006, took an 8 year break, and then, in 2014, started Northstar Canoes with expedition paddler Bear Paulson as General Manager. Northstar continues the Bell tradition, making excellent tandem and efficient solo canoes with distinctive shouldered tumblehome on flared hulls. The flared hulls add seaworthiness and the tumblehome keeps the paddling stations narrow.

The article, How to pick a Northstar Solo Canoe, updates the old article and reflects the new Northstar models and includes a new “Why this boat” column that highlights how a specific boat design supports a particular paddling profile. Hopefully the added info will help you make even more confident decisions when picking your boat.

How to pick a Northstar Solo Canoe Questionnaire

To start, answer these 10 questions to build your profile:

Where will I use the canoe?
a. River only b. Some River and Lake c. Lakes only
How often will I use the canoe to flat-water tour out of it?
a. Never b. Once or twice a year c. That’s all I do
Will I use the canoe for mild whitewater?
a.Yes, often b. Only now and then c. Moving water? No way.
Do I want to use the canoe for Canadian style or freestyle paddling?
a. Yes, in competition b. I like to now and then c. Huh? What’s that*.
Will I race with the canoe?
a. Never. b. Once a year. c. Yes, and often.
Does this statement describe you? I just want a canoe to explore the small local lake.
a. Yes, exactly b. Now and then. c. No, big lakes only.
Do you like to go straight or like a canoe that turns?
a. A canoe must turn! b. I like to turn easily, but go straight also. c. I like to go straight and fast.
Do I kneel when paddling?
a.Yes, all the time b. When the water gets rough c. No.
Does this statement describe you? I like to have the fastest canoe when I’m out with my friends.
a. Not at all b. I like to be able to keep up c. I love to be first and fastest
How many Northstar Solo Canoes would you like to own?
a.Two b. Just one c. At least three

Next, here are the points for each answer – add up the points that correspond to your answers to get your score. Be careful, the values for “a”, “b” and “c” change for several of the questions:

(1) a.1 b.2 c.3. (2) a.1 b.2 c.3, (3) a.1 b.2 c.3. (4) a.1 b.2 c.3. (5) a.0 b.1 c.3.

(6) a.0 b.1 c.2. (7) a.0 b.1 c.3. (8) a.0 b.1 c.3. (9) a.0 b.1 c.3. (10) a.1 b.2 c.3

From left to right: The “Points” and the contents of the “Why” column (retitled as “Your Profile”) haven’t changed from the original. The “Canoe Model” column now reflects the Northstar product line. Following the original article’s lead, the Northstar ADK (a “pak” boat) and the Rob Roy (a decked canoe), are not included. Finally, you’ll see the added “Why this boat” column.

How to pick a Northstar Solo Canoe Chart

Use the total you calculated above to find your Northstar Solo Canoe.

Points	Your Profile	Northstar Model	Why this boat
4-10	You paddle moving water and want a canoe that is going to respond to your every stroke. You may tour, but find that you’d rather have a responsive canoe than one that goes straight, and you’re willing to sacrifice a little speed because of this. If you’re going to own two Northstars’, this will be one of them.	Phoenix or FIrebird (smaller sibling – new in 2019)	Classic “river” boat for paddling where rocks and fast water needing quick responses are the biggest challenges. Design includes significant symmetric rocker for maneuverability and more depth in bow and stern for a dryer ride and more lift. The flared hull characteristic of Northstar’s provides strong secondary stability, helping keep the paddler upright in challenging conditions.
11-14	You could go either way. If you find yourself on rivers more, pick a Phoenix or Firebird. If you find yourself on lakes more then pick a Northwind Solo or its smaller sibling, the Trillium.	Phoenix/Firebird or Northwind Solo/Trillium
15-19	You do a little of everything, but don’t see yourself on whitewater. You want an efficient canoe, that will keep pace with your friends. You want one that will turn, but also go straight easily, and you like to tour on flat water. If you’re only going to own one Northstar, this is a great compromise canoe.	Northwind Solo or Trillium (smaller sibling)	Excellent balance between “river” and “lake” boat. Design includes asymmetric rocker – more in the bow (2.5”, same as the Phoenix) to help turn, but lower (1.5”) in the stern to improve tracking. A lower (depth/sheer) overall profile (matching the Magic) reduces sail area, which also helps tracking, but makes for a wetter ride in “bouncy” conditions.. The combination provides good maneuverability for quicker water while still helping manage the wind on slower rivers and the big lakes.
20-23	You could go either way. If you want to track well but still able to turn with some good technique, chose the Northwind Solo or Trillium, or if you want to go straight and fast pick a Magic.	Northwind Solo/Trillium or Magic
24-31	You paddle almost exclusively on lakes and you like to cover a lot of ground while you’re out there. You want a fast canoe that holds it’s heading even if it makes it harder to turn. If you’re going to own two Northstar canoes, this will be one of them.	Magic	True lake boat optimized for paddling where wind and distance are the biggest challenges. Low profile (depth/sheer) reduces “sail area” – the amount of surface the wind pushes against. Minimal stern rocker (0.75 inches) enhances tracking, and the slightly greater bow rocker (1.5 inches) combined with the flared hull’s solid secondary stability allows the skilled paddler to turn with sufficient ease.

Keep in mind that the profile is an important starting point – it helps you define and articulate how you’re going to use the boat, gives you an idea of what kind of design characteristics you should be looking for, and which Northstar solos canoes have those characteristics. But, as said in the original article:

This quiz is still no substitute for paddling (different boats) and picking which one you like best, but it should narrow you down to only two of the three models. With this knowledge head to your local store and find a sales person who actually asks you a ton of questions about where you will be using the canoe and your canoeing style. Get their recommendations, and then spring the results of this quiz on him or her. My guess is that they will be the same.

Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me with questions.

* FYI: Canadian style involves paddling a solo canoe while kneeling off center. The canoe is heeled up on its side, shortening the waterline, making it more maneuverable, and placing the paddler closer to the water for more control and more effective strokes. Freestyle canoeing involves performing a choreographed routine, generally to music – think “Dancing with canoes”.