I currently own a Souris River 18.5 canoe for my family. As my kids are older and getting bigger to assist in paddling / portaging now I am looking to purchase another canoe but do not want to break the bank as funds are tight right now.

I recently found a used 16 Bell Morningstar Canoe at a outfitter for sale for roughly $600 and a Bell Northwind 17ft Kevlar for 1500.

Any experience with either of these canoes? Hoe does it handle? Good canoe to take to the Q or BWCA? Would you avoid or recommend this canoe?

Structurally both canoes are in great shape, just a few scratches cosmetically. Looking for insight before I pull the trigger on buying which boat?

I understand it is about 59 pds for the Morningstar which is 10 pds heaver the then canoe I have due to the Royalex just wondering how this would be in the BW and Q. Would you just spend the extra money and go with the Northwind? Will I be happier with this canoe?

Thanks so much for all your insight and help you can provide.

I replied on the the other forum you posted on, let's see if a copy & paste works?

Well....my everyday boat is a royalex Bell Morningstar. I paddle it solo, it is a fine tandem with small folks and small loads. I wouldn't paddle it in the BWCAW tandem with much more than a short trip unless both paddlers were very light. I've also owned the royalex Northwind and would say it's a much better tandem for the BWCAW. As for the 17' composite Northwind, it's a better paddling boat than both. I wouldn't think of spending much time paddling it solo, but tandem it will outshine the both. I've only paddled a Northwind 17 for one trip, but owning a Morningstar and royalex Northwind gives me a pretty good comparison.

Oh, and the Morningstar is actually 15'6" while the 17' Northwind is 17'6" giving you 2' difference. Here's me in the Morningstar with MY tandem partner:

Once I tried Kevlar, I don't think I could ever go back, at least not for BWCA style tripping.

I have a Northwind 17. It's a great all around canoe and very light. More room for the bow paddler than many other models

We tripped as a family for all the growing years of our family. We first started out in a 18' Alumimin and then 2 alumimin canoes. We finally moved up to a 18.5 Wennoah Odyssey and a Wennoah 18' Jensen. While long the Jensen had less depth and good for them to handle in the wind. We found it important to have 2 canoes of matching speed. Also wieght was a big consideration since I would have to portage both canoes until our kids were big enough to hand them.
The other thing we learned was to always be one bend ahead of the kids on a river. if you couldn't hear them the fighting was much less! We paddled with a daughter and son.

Blatz: "I have a Northwind 17. It's a great all around canoe and very light. More room for the bow paddler than many other models"

Plus 1 on the Northwind 17. In addition to great bow cockpit space, we don't get knee bruises from the high/smooth gunnel line...

Canoes are all about compromise. You didn't mention if this canoe will be in addition to the Quetico 18.5 you already have or a replacement for it. I wouldn't replace the Quetico, that's a great canoe unless you were looking for a more specialized hull shape say for speed, river trips, etc.

I personally don't mind Royalex or T-formex canoes as they are virtually indestructible and slide over rocks like nothing else in the industry. I'm in decent shape so carrying the extra weight isn't an issue - it's probably the last attribute I look for in a canoe. But, Kevlar canoes are so much nicer, lighter to carry and better for a growing family because you can get the kids involved in portaging the canoe. Make sure they practice at home in the yard first and drop the canoe on the soft grass instead of a rocky portage.

Between the two canoes you mentioned, I'd take the Kevlar Northwind. You'll need the longer boat for the extra packs. I know money is tight but if you can save up and get a Kevlar be you'll be glad you did. It's rare that I find someone who would buy Royalex over Kevlar (my Uncle is the exception). That being said, he runs shallow rivers all the time making Royalex the obvious choice.

If you can only afford Royalex, the kids can tandem carry the boat with two removable yokes...just an idea. Don't feel bad if all you want to spend only gets you a Royalex boat. It's a very respected hull material and there are pros and cons. If Royalex weighed the same as Kevlar...well, then we'd really have a debate on which is the better material.

Paddled my Bell Northwind 17 solo for the better part of September 2017. I took out the back thwart and used a drop-in seat. It worked well for me, (being on the heavier side). I also rented a Wenonah Encounter for a short trip to try it out. While lighter, still felt tippy to me. Years ago, I also paddled a Souris Quetico 16, from the bow seat turned around. That worked OK, though I'm not huge fan of Souris generally,