I'm up here in Ely on vacation with my family this week and I came across a North Star Northwind solo. They are selling it new for $1950 . I've been looking for a solo for quite awhile, so I test paddled and really like it. Is that a fairly good deal for this canoe?

I would say so. Piragis has them listed at 2295.

Piragis is also selling their 2016 rental one (Starlite) for $1,700 for comparison.

So I'll be coming home with one more canoe than I came up with. Can't wait to go on a solo trip with her, unfortunately I'll be waiting until next summer for that to happen. Something to look forward to over the long winter for sure.

Wow! Good for you! Congratulations! That looks like one sweet ride...

Congrats! Curious where you got it...

A new canoe is always a good idea.

quote Frenchy19: "Congrats! Curious where you got it..."

Frenchy...purchased from Spirit of the Wilderness. I wandered around Ely for a morning stopping in at all the outfitters asking about used solos for sale. I found a few that were selling some pretty beat up prism' s for around $1000...but that was it for solos. Piragis had only one solo available and it was a brand I didn't recognize.

But Spirit of the Wilderness has two Magics for sale, 2015 and 2016 rentals for $1650 and $1550 if you paid cash or check. The 2016 has a patch but it was hard to find....they do refinishes there and Steve knows what he's doing. I've refinished a few and after talking and watching him at work, it was obvious they know their business. They also have one more Northwind, new, that's has only been test paddled (one 1 inch scratch on bottom) for $1950. If you purchase a canoe you also get 20% off all accessories (paddles, yokes, ect.) I got the yoke made for the Northstar solos along with some new pads.

I was told they have the discount off new canoes because they was some type of cosmetic blemish and that these canoes were built for outfitters so they actually have a skid plate built-in which is under the Kevlar and not visible. Anybody with insight into that process?

Anyway, Steve and Ginny were very good people to work with and really took time out for that one on one customer service. If I need outfitter services in Ely in the future....Ill be going to them.

Diego..... congratulations! That's a great canoe and a good price. If I ever find it in the budget to get a solo that's the canoe I want. I've rented one on my last 2 solo trips and loved it. Also, the couple of times I've been at Spirit of the Wilderness I have really enjoyed talking with Steve and Ginny. Both times they knew we were basically just hanging out but they didn't care and gave us the attention of a full outfitting crew.

Nice canoe trailer. Did you have that built or do some of the work yourself. Looks a lot like the one Kiporby and I redid. Oh......nice canoe too!

Personally, I like having skid plates. Need to add them to my solo; winter project, here I come. Or, I may just have Northwest Canoe do it right.

Very nice!

I've had a hankering for a solo boat myself. Suspect I'll likely pick one up at 'copia in a few months. Eyes are on a Savage River at this point, but we'll see.

quote cowdoc: "Nice canoe trailer. Did you have that built or do some of the work yourself. Looks a lot like the one Kiporby and I redid. Oh......nice canoe too!"

My father in law and I built that trailer...mostly him. The rails are removable so I get a lot of use out of it as a utility trailer as well.

quote ParkerMag: "Very nice!


I've had a hankering for a solo boat myself. Suspect I'll likely pick one up at 'copia in a few months. Eyes are on a Savage River at this point, but we'll see."

I would LOVE to test paddle a Savage River Blackwater.

Mr. Barley I have a Savage River Deep Creek solo that if you are in the Austin Minn.. area you could test drive. FRED