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.”
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!
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
Sorry for the delay. If the canoe has wood trim, you'll want to use watco. The seats, yoke, etc are varnished, only the gunwales need to be watco'd. You can get both watco and 303 on our website under repairs.
Loved my MR Freedom when the kids were little. I could trim it out by paddling it backwards. Used it solo a few times too, nice to have some flexibility. Any Northstar model that could do the same? thinking maybe Polaris?
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.”
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!
you did a great job Bear. Thanks for sharing
I really appreciate the level of detail that you include in your videos
Remarkable details of balance and effort control in canoes. You know more details from experience. Thank you!
very good and interesting videos. will keep watching
Great video.
Very helpful info. Thanks for sharing the video.
Very good info!!!
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
Sorry for the delay. If the canoe has wood trim, you'll want to use watco. The seats, yoke, etc are varnished, only the gunwales need to be watco'd. You can get both watco and 303 on our website under repairs.
I think two solo canoes would be a better option if you are concerned about dynamics or you enjoy the freedom.
You can always follow the old adage: Paddle solo. Sleep tandem.
Loved my MR Freedom when the kids were little. I could trim it out by paddling it backwards. Used it solo a few times too, nice to have some flexibility. Any Northstar model that could do the same? thinking maybe Polaris?
Closest hull to the Freedom is the B 16. It works great for paddling backwards.
I'm a Kneeler