When I got my Northwind Solo, I bought my wife a small kayak so we could paddle together. Over a year and a half, the kayak has been used just a few times, only once by her. I have gotten tacit approval to add a tandem canoe to my fleet of boats, the kayak and the Solo, to increase the chance she will join me in my everyday paddling.

I have paddled the Polaris with my 14 yo son on a 3 day BWCA trip. It performed great but, he is all of 110 lbs and we were packed only for a few days. Being able to paddle it solo was handy but, I have a solo with which I am very happy.

Ninety percent of our paddling will be on Minneapolis Lakes and the metro area sections of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers favoring the Polaris. We have 2 dogs, roughly 40 and 60 lbs favoring the NW 17. Most canoe camping trips will be 5 days or less again favoring the Polaris. The price is comparable so I feel like I get more boat/$ with the NW 17. Finally, the most dominant factor is, fitting a 17'6" canoe in my garage would be difficult.

So, while it seems the Polaris is the right choice, I am having a hard time pulling the trigger. I don't fish now but I might want to later, I don't go on 2 week long trips but I the right boat would make that more likely. Rationally, I know I can always rent a bigger tripping boat but, I like to sit a bit higher than outfitters set their seats and I kneel about 30% of the time or as much as my joints will tolerate. Paddling for a week-long with seats to low or not being able to slide my feet under seems intolerable.

Can you ease my angst? If I buy the Polaris, will I mourn for the Northwind 17 I might have had?

Thanks

Haven't paddled either sorry, but will 17' fit in the garage? Does it have to be Northstar (great company, love my Magic)? Would say a Wenonah Spirit II fit?

OK OC, maybe I can ease your angst. I've got a Polaris and love it, mine has a center seat instead of kneeling thwart and yoke. I had a Bell Northstar (the closest relative to Polaris) and put a lot of miles in it. In my experience the Northstar and Polaris are lightly loaded at 400 pounds (but still feel good) and I always preferred adding the weight of the dog and getting up to 425-450. The boat is still totally happy and not burdened at 475-500. I also had a Bell Northwind which I think is exact same as NW17. It's an incredibly stable family boat. With 400 pounds it is way too lightly loaded and you feel the skin friction of the big boat. Get it over 500 and it starts to feel good but still not like the Polaris which feels pretty effortless all the time. The handling of the NW17 is superb and you can spin the boat almost like a Polaris, plus you get a feeling of exceptional safety since it's so big.

If you're trying to lure your wife into paddling for gosh sakes get the Polaris. I am not a Northstar canoe fan but the Polaris hull is quite special. If your bow paddler wants to take a break you can easily drive and also steer a Polaris just from the stern but that isn't so fun in a 17'6" boat. Without knowing your exact load it seems like a Polaris could easily handle you and your wife plus 100 pounds of dog.

Thanks, that’s what I needed. Angst subsiding.

The Northstar Northwind 17 is pretty much the same boat as the Bell Northwind without the tumblehome. I had a Bell Northwind, a really nice canoe, but at 17.5 ft it was too big for my current needs (basically getting my wife out with me). This spring I sold it and bought a Bell Northstar which is a much better for for my current needs, which no longer include extended trips. At this point I feel it was the right decision.

p.s. I frequently fish from my Magic, so I don't see fishing from a Polaris as a big deal.

OK..., I've put my trust in you guys. I just adopted a Polaris. Still feeling a little angst but, expect that to dissipate once I get it in the water.

Thanks everyone.

Congrats on your new boat! Hope you post some comments as you use it.