Now here's a boat no one seems to be talking much about and I'm not sure why. It's the smaller sibling to the Northwind Solo. It's supposed to be a versatile hull for lakes or rivers. So why don't I see any of these around or hear a buzz about it? I'm interested in a new hull, something different, a new direction if you will and I think this boat might work. I want to hear what people think about this one. I'd like a much smaller day boat with the option of tripping if I ever needed to.

I'm 6'0", 205 lbs and want a versatile day boat for exploring, small lakes, creeks, backwaters, freestyle paddling, fishing, maybe a light weekend tripper at best. I'm going for a small pack style boat for a guy my size. Most of the true pack boats are going to be too small and sluggish with me in it. I like to kneel and sit depending on what I'm doing. I've owned 4 solos - Merlin II, Magic and two Wilderness canoes. Overall, that Merlin II had the best "feel" or "response" on the water for a versatile type of boat. I want that back in a smaller package. I always regretted selling that Merlin II. It was more loose in the seat to me but I could feel it respond to the paddle. It's the DY design lineage that I prefer. So, is the Trillium a good option for my size? I think it is but I don't know much about the attributes of the new Trillium.

Based on your description of what you want (a smaller Merlin II) I think it may be a bullseye for you. I have not paddled one but the guy on the link below sure seems to like his. I hope the link works.

I have a Merlin II. At one time I owned a Hemlock Kestrel which is a bit smaller than the Merlin II and a bit faster and turns similarly but maybe not quite as well but it's also a bit shallower. I prefer a bit more depth than the Kestrel or Trillium which are both 11.5 inches deep at center versus 12 for the Merlin II and 12.5 in my Swift Osprey. In my view the Merlin II and Kestrel are lake boats that happen to work nicely on rivers if the rivers do not have swift current. I'm your height and 25 pounds lighter except I usually carry a 60 pound dog.

If you are looking for a new direction and a boat that responds to your paddle then I recommend that you also test paddle a Firebird at your friendly Northstar dealer if you get a chance. I recently tried one and I like that boat a lot and would definitely use it when I can sneak out without the dog even though I generally prefer something around 15 feet. It's 12.5 inches deep and will maneuver on rivers in a way that lake boats can't and it's extremely well suited to freestyle. The Swift Osprey is now a special order boat but it would also be a candidate for you since it's a relatively low volume boat (I think Trillium, Firebird and Osprey all have a 260 pound max happy zone) and the Osprey turns on a dime and is way more playful and responsive than a Merlin II. But it's not a DY design and it can be a little tail happy in a strong quartering tailwind. I think the Osprey is my all time favorite solo.

I think that if you can test paddle a Trillium and a Firebird you'd go home with one of them.

Ole496: "Now here's a boat no one seems to be talking much about and I'm not sure why. ... "

Sometimes, a name can kill a product. I don't know where the Trillium name came from but, it doesn't exactly move me. "Magic", "Phoenix", "Firebird" will certainly inspire more attention.

I'd also suggest that characterizing the boat as the "lesser" comparator to the Northwind Solo begs the question, shouldn't I just get the Northwind Solo?

My son paddled the Voyageurs Highway last fall in a Trillium. He's 6'2" 180lbs. 40lb dog and 50lb pack. He never had an issue or was concerned for his safety in all possible conditions.

OCDave: "

Ole496: "Now here's a boat no one seems to be talking much about and I'm not sure why. ... "

Sometimes, a name can kill a product. I don't know where the Trillium name came from but, it doesn't exactly move me. "Magic", "Phoenix", "Firebird" will certainly inspire more attention.


I'd also suggest that characterizing the boat as the "lesser" comparator to the Northwind Solo begs the question, shouldn't I just get the Northwind Solo?


"

That's funny because it's true. Now I understand why there was never a Bell Buttercup. It would be fun to ask Dave Curtis how may Lady Bugs were sold to men.

All very good points. I know spec wise most would put me in the Northwind based on my size and that makes sense.

Somewhere someone said canoes are a compromise. You should pick one suitable for what your intended use will be for at least 80% of the time. The rest is a compromise and you'll make do.

I think the Firebird would be perfect for messing about on the water and paddling down the shoreline. It certainly would float me just fine. I think of that hull as more of a play boat. That boat would probably be too small with a pack in it and I'd plow water across the lake if I attempted to trip in it. Also, might be a wet ride with less freeboard available across a windy lake.

The Trillium would probably be the smallest craft with enough reserve buoyancy to haul me plus a large pack followed by the Northwind as being ideal.

Arcola, I was one that contacted you about your trillium when you had it for sale but someone else bought it.

I also agree with that a name can make or break it. I think trillium is a cool name though. Tri means three so my guess would be that this hull is the third ideation from the Merlin DNA? Maybe the third lake touring solo (Magic, Northwind, Trillium). I guess it's also a flower too so I'm not sure if there's a connection there to canoeing. I think I'll start renting a few boats for a day and go from there.

justpaddlin: "

OCDave: "

Ole496: "Now here's a boat no one seems to be talking much about and I'm not sure why. ... "

Sometimes, a name can kill a product. I don't know where the Trillium name came from but, it doesn't exactly move me. "Magic", "Phoenix", "Firebird" will certainly inspire more attention.



I'd also suggest that characterizing the boat as the "lesser" comparator to the Northwind Solo begs the question, shouldn't I just get the Northwind Solo?



"

That's funny because it's true. Now I understand why there was never a Bell Buttercup. It would be fun to ask Dave Curtis how may Lady Bugs were sold to men."

No man would admit to being upside down.. Too small for most all men.. LB will kick your butt if you are big.

I am 5' 11" & 170ish, and really like my (formerly Arcola's) Trillium. I like it best with some weight in it.

Fun, responsive hull, and I am surprisingly enjoying a single blade as much as a double.

I switched the drops to sitting and it's an excellent fit for me and the 40 lb dog.

Ole496: "Now here's a boat no one seems to be talking much about and I'm not sure why. It's the smaller sibling to the Northwind Solo. It's supposed to be a versatile hull for lakes or rivers. So why don't I see any of these around or hear a buzz about it? I'm interested in a new hull, something different, a new direction if you will and I think this boat might work. I want to hear what people think about this one. I'd like a much smaller day boat with the option of tripping if I ever needed to.

I'm 6'0", 205 lbs and want a versatile day boat for exploring, small lakes, creeks, backwaters, freestyle paddling, fishing, maybe a light weekend tripper at best. I'm going for a small pack style boat for a guy my size. Most of the true pack boats are going to be too small and sluggish with me in it. I like to kneel and sit depending on what I'm doing. I've owned 4 solos - Merlin II, Magic and two Wilderness canoes. Overall, that Merlin II had the best "feel" or "response" on the water for a versatile type of boat. I want that back in a smaller package. I always regretted selling that Merlin II. It was more loose in the seat to me but I could feel it respond to the paddle. It's the DY design lineage that I prefer. So, is the Trillium a good option for my size? I think it is but I don't know much about the attributes of the new Trillium.




"

I asked nearly the exact same question (I'm a lil shorter than you) to Bear at Canoecopia. He put me in a Northwind Solo.

Still waiting for it so I can't comment on how it paddles yet.

Just FYI to ole496 there is a Trillium on Madison craigslist and looks like you could get it for $2k. I had a NW solo and based on your description of what you are looking for I think the Trillium sounds like a better fit FOR YOU. If you trip across a Northstar dealer (there are 2 in the Madison area) I still think you might also want to try the Firebird too since both Trillium and Firebird have a 260 pound capacity (Firebird is deeper than Trillium). I prefer longer boats but I really liked that damn Firebird. I recently paddled all the new Swifts and fortunately for me I didn't love any of them.

I'm at Paddlefest in Old Forge and test paddled a Prism, Echo, Phoenix, Prospector 14, and Keywadin 15. They don't have a Trillium to try but, while not for me,b
it seems like a better Merlin. Sounds like what you are looking for. I do suggest you look at the Keywadin line. Far too twitchy for me but might fit you.

I have not paddled a swift mostly because the lack of availability around the Twin Cities and the new cost is just far more then I'd like to spend. I also like to support local companies whenever I can and I love both Wenonah and NorthStar (Bell) and have owned several boats from each company. I'd like to see them both continue to survive and settle into a comfortable, sustainable economic position.

I talked to the reps about a trillium at the Outdoor Expo and two of them thought it was too small for me for anything other than day paddling. They both said the Northwind would be the most suitable for my size especially if I tried to take a trip in one. It is the closest in size to the Merlin II I had for specs, buoyancy, capacity and response. They agreed that the Trillium would work for a trip but in the end they were sure I'd be happier in the Northwind. I know that on a trip I'd like the Northwind but where I'm going with this is that I'd most likely use the Trillium to explore local backwaters and streams with some lake paddling. I'm afraid I'll drop some money on the Trillium and then in a year wish I bought the Northwind. Of course there is always a chance I'll feel that way if I buy the Northwind.

It's all about compromises right?

I'm going to a test paddle next week and hoping to try out one of both of these canoes. I'll keep my fingers crossed I find one I really like.

No trillium at today's paddle demo but I did get to spend some time in the Northwind Solo. It's a great boat and I loved it....very much like my Merlin II only more initially stable. Otherwise, all things equal on how it handled.

One of the guys at the demo said he thinks of the Trillium as a "mini magic". Which confused me a little because I thought the Trillium is a smaller NW Solo by design and spec. He thought the stems were a little sticky and the boat didn't turn as well as the NW Solo but did say he thought it was almost as fast as the Magic. He also thought it was less stable than the NW Solo which would make sense being that it's more narrow at the waterline.

My guess would be, he would be pushing the smaller hull deeper into the water making the stems stickier. The boat is smaller and would require less initial push to get it and keep it moving.

Overall the NW Solo might be better for me...keep thinking about how nice that paddled.

Ole496: "No trillium at today's paddle demo but I did get to spend some time in the Northwind Solo. It's a great boat and I loved it....
...
...

Overall the NW Solo might be better for me...keep thinking about how nice that paddled."

Ole496,

I bought a Northwind Solo as a birthday present to myself two years ago. Since then I have paddled it nearly every day the Minneapolis lakes have not been frozen. While I loved the boat from the first day I paddled it, I grow to love it more as my paddling skills improve. The Solo may have initially felt a bit large but, after a few weeks of practice it became a much more nimble boat. I like to challenge myself and the canoe on windy days or rough water days, the Solo performs spectacularly.

I am confident that with more time in the NW Solo, your attraction to the Trillium will fade and your appreciation for the Solo will grow.

Good Luck

I'd encourage you to take your time and maybe paddle the NW Solo again and maybe wait until you can also try a Trillium if for no other reason than making sure you don't always wonder if the Trillium was the better choice for you. I'd ignore the input from the demo day reps only because you have enough experience to judge for yourself. I've also found that I tend to be a bit euphoric when test paddling and maybe even a bit stronger than usual perhaps due to adrenaline. You might also bring a pack with you since a load might help you converge on the boat for you.

The NW Solo is no doubt a very fine boat. I also think you have characterized it just about perfectly. It has more initial stability than a Merlin II (and who doesn't like more initial stability?). It handles about exactly same (I think the rocker specs on both are a bit deceiving). It takes more effort to get it moving and keep it moving which isn't necessarily bad since Merlin II is exceptionally effortless. I don't consider either one "playful"...I see them more like broadly capable cruisers. But we're all different in our perceptions and preferences.

I just keep looking at your original post that talks about creeking, freestyle, pack boat, new direction. Hmmm. NW Solo is certainly light enough to compete with pack boats.

Just as an FYI ... Trillium is a low height (below knee level) three leaved plant (leaves grow at symmetric 120 degree angles from each other) that grows in deep woods and has a very pretty three petal white flower.

kennk: "Just as an FYI ... Trillium is a low height (below knee level) three leaved plant (leaves grow at symmetric 120 degree angles from each other) that grows in deep woods and has a very pretty three petal white flower."

Yes but, that does create inspiring imagery.

What if Northstar marketed a new canoe?
>> The Northwind Solo UL (Ultra-light)! For the light, athletic paddler who adheres an Ultra-light camping/ tripping style. This canoe offers the same asymmetrical bow 2.5"/stern 1.5" rockers of the entire Northwind line but, sheds all excess. A full foot shorter, 1.5" narrower and 2 lbs lighter than the standard NW Solo. If you travel fast and light the Solo UL might be to right canoe for you. <<<

I'm probably too big for the Solo UL but, I'd see myself paddling that boat.