To any one with experience with either of the two, I currently am replacing a Seneca with a two boat fleet for the family. I currently have a Northwind 16 - great boat! Paddled it for local day trips and fishing.
Looking at adding second boat two kids and mom and dad. Kids are 14 and 12 and have been on 4 trips up to 8 days, but this will be the first of many trips in the bow. Looking at weight limits and each kid is around 80 lbs and growing mom 120 dad 200. We pack a 60L food barrel pack and 3 CCS pioneer packs, one day pack for fishing gear.
Only concern the NW 17 would be it would be too lightly loaded, becoming a handful.
Fire away Polaris or NW 17 ?

Thanks in advance

I think the Polaris is very similar to the Bell Northstar. If I’m wrong on this, disregard everything I’m about to say.

I had a Northstar, and it felt small and kind of wobbly. I know people loved it, but I sold mine after my first extended trip in it. I could just never get comfortable in the Northstar. I was also used to an 18.5 ft Bell Northwoods, so that probably plays into things.

Based solely on that, I’d go for the Northwind. If it was me, I’d actually get the 18, but that’s just me.

I think you are thinking too small. The northwind 20 has 4 seats. You would be at good weight also for that.

Themagicone2: "I think you are thinking too small. The northwind 20 has 4 seats. You would be at good weight also for that. "

I think you misunderstood. He's looking for two boats to hold two people each. Not one boat for all four.

amhacker22, you are correct, the polaris and the bell northstar are essentially the same. I just swapped out my bell northwind for a northstar because I felt it was too big.

Looking at the Polaris beside the NW,the Polaris just looks as it would be 2-3day tripper. And yes the Polaris seems it would a bit twitchy, but then again I would have about 250-300 lbs in people and two packs in each boat.
Leaning for the Polaris for a couple of years but I would like to make a 5-7 year canoe purchase as the kids are growing so that's why I and looking at the NW 17 as I have the 16. Just a different boat, would like the option of the second boat to be a different model.

I think you just said it....options.... diversity. Kids grow, trips get longer, gear accumulates. Maybe you and a buddy decide on a 10 day Quetico trip. It may be nice to have a 17 instead of a 16. Also, they'll work good together on a family trip. The bigger boat can take that extra pack that will crop up. Just seems to me it will open up some options for you instead of having 2 smaller, similar boats.

Jwpaddle: "each kid is around 80 lbs "

A boy and a girl I am guessing?

If they are boys go bigger.

Just musing here, but do you want a potentially twitchy boat under young paddlers?

This might be a good situation to rent & try before you buy.

I've paddled both.... for right now I'd say Polaris but as mentioned w/ the 14 year old you're probably not far away from the Northwind 17 so I think that the Northwind would probably be the longer term "fit" especially because you already have the NW 16 for the younger child. As cowdoc said.... more diversity.

FYI..... Rockwood Outfitters on the Gunflint side carries the Polaris in their rental fleet if you wanted to rent it for a trip before making your decision. I used it on my daddy/daughter trip with my then 9 yo daughter last year and loved it. I did not think it was twitchy. We also had our 90lb lab with.

We are in the middle of a similar family canoe move as you are... My girls are now 13 and 11 (they've also been paddling in the bow of a small rented tandem on daddy/daughter trips since they were each 5) and last fall we sold our SR Q 18.5 to move to 2 small tandems because they were not going to fit side by side in the middle seat anymore. Over the winter we purchased a used SR Q 16 (I really wanted a Polaris or even NW 16 but the price on the used SR Q16 was a lot better). We go back and forth on what the 2nd tandem should be and I think we will go with a 17 because it will give us more diversity in the long run.

Thanks for the input we are looking at a demo of the two boats and I am leaning more toward the NW 17 to be the long haul solution. The combo of the 16 and 17 may be running a bit on the light side of the payload for a few years but easier to load them up than load them down.

We have looked at the 20' with 4 seats but then the payload and pack areas seem to be consumed by paddlers, and I am not to sure if I want to man handle that length of boat again as the Seneca was 19'4"

maybe Atb will chime in when he gets back from his trip......... he sold me his SR Q16 that he had been using as a combo solo/tandem tripper until he purchased a true solo. He sold me the Q16 because he planned on getting a 17 ft tripper probably a Northwind 17 now that he has a true solo. Well.... after looking at tandems he fell in love w/ the Polaris and purchased that. He is taking it on it's first trip this weekend with his 10 yo daughter.

Hey jw. I have a Polaris and I recently sold a Bell Northwind (17.5) which I believe is same hull as NW17. My take is - look at the efficient weight ranges on the Northstar site and go for the Polaris if you fit.

I've not put a lot of miles on my Polaris but I had a Bell Northstar for many years and it is a sweetheart of a boat...cruises super efficiently, turns on a dime, keeps you safe. It feels wonderful with 450 pounds or so...right in the middle of it's efficient range, and it can easily handle 500+ comfortably. I've had mine out in scary conditions and it always handles everything effortlessly. It's a magical boat in my view and for sure one of my all time favorite tandems.

The NW 17 is more of a family boat. It's extra very stable for those that never want to kneel. It still turns on a dime both lightly or heavily loaded...darn close to a Northstar. But I sold mine because for me it's too much boat for my load and you do feel the skin friction...it gives up a lot to a Polaris for cruising efficiency with loads of 450 or less. Once you get more than 500 pounds in it (the middle of it's efficient range) it starts to feel better. For sure if your load is around 550 then the NW17 is perfect. If you often carry a moose carcass you will like this boat.

When I look at the Northstar specs the ideal weight range for Polaris is basically same as your NW 16 so if 2 16's would handle your load then get a Polaris. It's a much better solo than it has any right to be too!

If you are leaning towards a big boat I'd also encourage you to try the NW18 too because in my experience it may be the hotter boat relative to the NW 17...and it still turns on a dime.

:)

Ducks, I hear you tougher discussion to make than I thought it would be the Polaris would be the boat to add to the fleet for the next 2-3 years as the kids dip the paddle in the front. I think the 17 would be the boat for the long haul but I am leaning towards the Polaris as I know I can paddle it loaded with a kid this summer and they can troll for dinner. If anything we would have the lighter lady’s boat the Polaris and the heavier boys boat the boys.
Pack lighter and still trip with a buddy or I can take the 16 which has a higher payload by 50lbs

Would be good to hear ATb’s trip report

Add the Polaris now.

When you out grow the pair, replace the Northwind 16 with a 17.

I think the Polaris and Northwind 17 is the perfect canoe combination for you.

The concern about the squirrelliness of the Polaris has less about safety and more about just getting used to it. The Polaris would be a good efficient boat and the kids are old enough to learn to keep it stable. If you do grow out of it down the road you can upgrade down the road. Keep it in good shape and you'll have good resale value. I just think about how much easier the Polaris would be to paddle. You can subtract or add gear to it depending on comfort level and trim. Using the other canoe for the main load if need be. I'm also guessing the Polaris would be nice for when one person wanted to go fish or whatever.

Well pulled the trigger and got the the Polaris—— paddled it tonight was a great first time out very fast very predictable and was a pleasure to paddle. Wife loves it

Beautiful.

Where'd the weight come in on that?

LUCKY!!!!!!! I would love one.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the carbon fiber rails!

Nice pick-up.

I think the weight is around 37 lbs. The carbon rails shave a few lbs and they make one stiff responsive boat. She is a Keeper!!

Congratulations on your new Polaris!

Mine went out yesterday as a solo. Looks like either your thwarts are upside down or mine are...probably mine. Oh well.

Happy paddling!

That's what I thought they may be upside down, but then again with the arching up more room for packs under ???

Jwpaddle: "That's what I thought they may be upside down, but then again with the arching up more room for packs under ??? "

The Polaris they had at Midwest Mountaineering at the Expo had its thwarts arched very slightly up - recall that specifically.

That's the one I have. Picked it up from them the other day. Only thing I can think is they are arced up to make sure you do not use them as a kneeing thwart. Could easily be flipped which would hold a paddle while fishing a bit easier act as a cradle.

Jwpaddle: "That's the one I have. Picked it up from them the other day. Only thing I can think is they are arced up to make sure you do not use them as a kneeing thwart. Could easily be flipped which would hold a paddle while fishing a bit easier act as a cradle. "

The curved thwart is actual meant for kneeling. It should be curved down.
counter kneeling thwart

Jwpaddle: "Well pulled the trigger and got the the Polaris—— paddled it tonight was a great first time out very fast very predictable and was a pleasure to paddle. Wife loves it
"

It’s been a few years. Can I ask what your experience has been and how you feel about the Polaris today? Thanks in advance

PS. Your eco friendly landscaping in the background is as beautiful as your boat!