Hi all,
Been looking for a NorthStar Northwind 3 seater (18'9"). Just have fallen in love with the boat, but can't afford new. They are hard to come by used.

What competitor's 3 seater canoe would be closest in design/handling? So, I can widen my search?
Thanks!

Buy a used one from Piragis this fall.
With its differential rocker and asymetrical hull, only other brand would be Swift. David Yost designed the original Bell series. The new Northstar Northwind boats are the same at the waterline form what I have heard. They just lost the tuck in up towards the gunwale. DY designs for Swift now and his Keewadyn series looks very, very close to his original Bell Northwind boats. Most all other manufacturers are symetrical in design(meaning they paddle the same front to back or back to front), Wenonah, Souris River, and no differential rocker.
Bottom line Northstar compares closest to Swift in design. Good luck finding one west of New York though. It will be easier findiing a used NS18.
CB

Thanks for the reply.
If I'm limited in my choice, then I am simply limited, and will have to wait.
Thanks for the reply.

I also picked up a used one from Pirages a couple of years ago and feel I got a great deal on it. It's a Bell Composities Northwind 18 made right after Ted Bell started up building canoes again. I wouldn't trade it for anything right now. They are superb canoes and getting one that's got a year of use on it in no way detracts from it capabilities. They take good care of their equipment and any issues (read: repairs) with the boats are dealt with professionally. All that plus the price is right. Just my .02.....

quote Cedarboy: "Buy a used one from Piragis this fall.
With its differential rocker and asymetrical hull, only other brand would be Swift. David Yost designed the original Bell series. The new Northstar Northwind boats are the same at the waterline form what I have heard. They just lost the tuck in up towards the gunwale. DY designs for Swift now and his Keewadyn series looks very, very close to his original Bell Northwind boats. Most all other manufacturers are symetrical in design(meaning they paddle the same front to back or back to front), Wenonah, Souris River, and no differential rocker.
Bottom line Northstar compares closest to Swift in design. Good luck finding one west of New York though. It will be easier findiing a used NS18.
CB"

I would say that Wenonah offers more asymmetric designed canoes than any other manufacturer