Looking forward to the day I can get a newish Northwoods only canoe for me and my wife. For this post, I am only interested in the 2 models.

I like the Nwind, but like the thought of symmetrical hull for early fishing while she sleeps in draws me to the Seliga. I also like the classic design. Can anyone who has paddled BOTH give me some perspective?

I own 4 canoes now. Bell Northshore, OT peno, OT kennebec, Blue Hole OCA.

mrballast: "Looking forward to the day I can get a newish Northwoods only canoe for me and my wife. For this post, I am only interested in the 2 models.
I like the Nwind, but like the thought of symmetrical hull for early fishing while she sleeps in draws me to the Seliga. I also like the classic design. Can anyone who has paddled BOTH give me some perspective?
I own 4 canoes now. Bell Northshore, OT peno, OT kennebec, Blue Hole OCA."

I can give you a little perspective, even though I haven't paddled the Seliga. One of the most knowledgeable paddling friends I've ever known told me the difference. We had a May trip and by then my wife and I paddled solo exclusively. We had parted with our tandem Northwind 16.6 (Royalex) the year before and we needed to rent a light weight Bell for the trip. I vacillated back and forth between the Seliga and a Northwind 17. I was leaning toward the Seliga because I really wanted to try something new. My buddy told me that if I liked the old 17' Alumacraft and Grummans, the Seliga would paddle similarly. Stable, predictable, but a bit slower. He said "The Northwind 17 is a PADDLERS boat." He told me if I was more interested in efficiency with plenty of secondary stability, the Northwind should be my choice. So, the Northwind was chosen.

I thought it a very good paddling hull. Relatively fast and plenty of secondary stability as Darryl said it would, however; my better half would have preferred more initial stability, especially since the trip was a May trip with big, cold water. Of course, she was paddling in the bow with a big guy that needed to change position every few minutes, so I can see how that would have made this boat "Feel" a bit unsteady. The perspective from the bow seat is a bit different when you're staring over the deck at cold water! From the stern seat, I could see we were never in danger. Hope that helps a bit? I'm curious to see what the Seliga paddlers say as I've always wondered?

I’ve paddled wood/canvas seligas. I have no opinion on the bell seliga, I have never paddled it. The description of the seliga paddling like a Grumman is fairly accurate, it’s a great canoe to fish from. I have paddled the northwind and love it. It’s a fun boat to paddle.

Camp widjiwagen in ely has found two b n Norris canoes in its collection. These canoes are considered by some to be the finest canoes ever made. The seliga family owned these and the seligas wood/canvas canoes were modeled on their designs. Camp widjiwagen also owns the seliga molds.

jwartman59: "I’ve paddled wood/canvas seligas. I have no opinion on the bell seliga, I have never paddled it. The description of the seliga paddling like a Grumman is fairly accurate, it’s a great canoe to fish from. I have paddled the northwind and love it. It’s a fun boat to paddle.
Camp widjiwagen in ely has found two b n Norris canoes in its collection. These canoes are considered by some to be the finest canoes ever made. The seliga family owned these and the seligas wood/canvas canoes were modeled on their designs. Camp widjiwagen also owns the seliga molds.

"

I didn't realize they had the Seliga molds, that's really interesting! As for myself, if I BOUGHT one I'd choose the Seliga because I'm a sucker for the traditional looking lines and the increased primary stability. My sense of balance is not what it was 10 years ago. I'd LOVE to paddle the W&C version!