Any chance those of you with a NW17 or NW18 can post some pics of your canoe while loaded?

Thanks!

Northwind 17 loaded with a Kondos pack, 65L hiking pack, and fishing gear bag. Always happy to share canoe pics.

NW17 with two CCS Pioneer (medium) portage packs. This trip convinced me I had too much boat for two small adults who pack light. Traded down for a Polaris and never looked back.

portagerunner: "Northwind 17 loaded with a Kondos pack, 65L hiking pack, and fishing gear bag. Always happy to share canoe pics.





"

Thanks

How do you feel it does with a lighter load? Ever wish you got an 18?

I’m on the fence on what to buy. Between me and my daughter, we are about 300 lbs, but she’s still growing. We also want to fish out of it with a light load.

Dooger: "

portagerunner: "Northwind 17 loaded with a Kondos pack, 65L hiking pack, and fishing gear bag. Always happy to share canoe pics.







"

Thanks

How do you feel it does with a lighter load? Ever wish you got an 18?


I’m on the fence on what to buy. Between me and my daughter, we are about 300 lbs, but she’s still growing. We also want to fish out of it with a light load. "

For my uses, the NW17 is more than enough boat. I wouldn’t say I pack particularly light for week-long trips either. Honestly I’d consider a NW16 before an 18 unless I wanted the 3rd seat option or planned on taking multi-week trips. I fish out of mine quite a bit and take plenty of day trips with light loads and no issues. Either way I love the Northwind series (have a NW solo too) and you’ll be happy with your pick.

Only pic I have. I think personally I’d only get an Northwind 18 if I occasionally added a third person. NW 17 with 2 people works pretty good. Maybe if you are a heavy packer?

T

timatkn: "







Only pic I have. I think personally I’d only get an Northwind 18 if I occasionally added a third person. NW 17 with 2 people works pretty good. Maybe if you are a heavy packer?


T"

Thanks! That helps.

I have a Souris River Q17. Lately I’m thinking I need a Northwind 18. Here’s why:

RunningFox: "I have a Souris River Q17. Lately I’m thinking I need a Northwind 18. Here’s why:


"

Where’s the canoe in that pic? :)

A Quetico 18.5 or similar would probably hold more gear than a NW 18? Although a NW 18 is a great canoe too.

T

RunningFox: "I have a Souris River Q17. Lately I’m thinking I need a Northwind 18. Here’s why:


"

that is dangerous how fully loaded that thing is! has to be pretty top heavy

BdubyaCA: "

RunningFox: "I have a Souris River Q17. Lately I’m thinking I need a Northwind 18. Here’s why:



"

that is dangerous how fully loaded that thing is! has to be pretty top heavy"

It’s more than I’d like to put in my canoe, but I bet it’s more stable than you think. Despite my joke, you can see the gunwale and it does seem the majority of the weight is in the bottom of the canoe. Plus the Souris River Quetico series are barges. They can handle a lot of weight and all the weight can increase stability…probably not very good for glide though :)

I had a Q18 for many years. I could load it similar and not have issues. My NW 17, I would not load like this. At this point in my life I prefer my NW 17 but each has it’s strengths.

T

fenrirrr: "
NW17 with two CCS Pioneer (medium) portage packs. This trip convinced me I had too much boat for two small adults who pack light. Traded down for a Polaris and never looked back. "

I didn't like my Bell Northwind (same as NW17) lightly loaded (anything under 500 pounds) and sold it for that reason (it handled great and had all kinds of stability and capacity but felt sluggish with too much skin friction). I also have a Polaris and like it's predecessor the Bell Northstar it's very happy with a wide range of loads. Oddly enough I'd consider a NW18 if I had a reason to buy a second tandem because in my experience it paddles much better lightly loaded than the 17.

Polaris is 16'9". I don't think it's unstable at all but if that's the OP's concern the NW16 might be your sweet spot.

Oddly enough I'd consider a NW18 if I had a reason to buy a second tandem because in my experience it paddles much better lightly loaded than the 17.

That's what I'm wondering. I'm torn as my daughter is quite small yet (70 lbs or so) and I'm over 200 lbs. I'm nervous that I'll be fishing in a lightly loaded boat and don't want to scare her for future trips. According to NS, the minimum load for the 17 is 350 lbs and the 18 at 400 lbs. Some say the 17 needs 500+ lbs to feel stable.

I definitely don't want a 16' boat though.

Anyone else feel the 18 is better lightly loaded than the 17?

I did paddle a Bell Northwoods (18) back in 2009 on a big fall trip, but my partner in the boat was pushing 200 lbs also.

My brother and nephew use their 17 for multi-night expeditions, here's a picture that doesn't help, but can vouch for it's sea worthiness:

timatkn: "

RunningFox: "I have a Souris River Q17. Lately I’m thinking I need a Northwind 18. Here’s why:



"

Where’s the canoe in that pic? :)


A Quetico 18.5 or similar would probably hold more gear than a NW 18? Although a NW 18 is a great canoe too.


T"

We were on the U.S. side of Basswood Lake in June of 2022. We were towed in by Canoe Country Outfitters and dropped off on an Island. WE were there for the fishing and base camped about half way up to U.S. point.

truecyclery: "My brother and nephew use their 17 for multi-night expeditions, here's a picture that doesn't help, but can vouch for it's sea worthiness: "

Isn't their canoe a NS 16?

TZ

TrailZen: "

truecyclery: "My brother and nephew use their 17 for multi-night expeditions, here's a picture that doesn't help, but can vouch for it's sea worthiness:"

Isn't their canoe a NS 16?
TZ"

If the shouldered flare isn't a giveaway, the NORTHWIND 16 printed on the stern should be!

fenrirrr: "

TrailZen: "

truecyclery: "My brother and nephew use their 17 for multi-night expeditions, here's a picture that doesn't help, but can vouch for it's sea worthiness:"

Isn't their canoe a NS 16?
TZ"

If the shouldered flare isn't a giveaway, the NORTHWIND 16 printed on the stern should be!

"

Well maybe inadvertently :) more proof a NW 17 can haul some gear?

T

I've generally been happier in a NW17 with two than a NW18 with three.

We found the 18 was really not quite enough canoe for 3 guys, a dog and gear (pretty light - we were single-portaging). There was plenty of space but the canoe was just really slow at that weight.

The 18 is probably a lot better if the occupant of the third seat is a kid.

fenrirrr: "

TrailZen: "

truecyclery: "My brother and nephew use their 17 for multi-night expeditions, here's a picture that doesn't help, but can vouch for it's sea worthiness:"

Isn't their canoe a NS 16?
TZ"

If the shouldered flare isn't a giveaway, the NORTHWIND 16 printed on the stern should be!

"

That explains why my 18'er looks like a yacht next to his! lol

To be fair, the NW16 is actually 16.5', which rounds up to 17.

If OP is looking at buying new, might as well throw Northstar's new 17' 9" Boreas into the mix.

Polaris with 60 pounds of coonhound mutt leaning all the way to one side. Total load under 275. All of the Northstar boats mentioned have a ton of secondary stability.