Hi Everyone,
I think this might be my first post on this site even though I have been reading and learning here for some time.

I see that Northstar has a new version of White Gold that is free of gelcoat and and I wondering what some other members who have experienced think of the durability of this newer layup.

I am looking at getting the Phoenix next season for solo river tripping and wonder if the new White Gold will hold up well enough. The sort of rivers I have in mind are the upper St. Croix, Kettle (well below Banning State Park,) The Snake (below Rush Lake), and the Rum.

I love the look of the new White Gold (especially in red), but might I just be better off to get the Phoenix in IXP and not worry?

As long as your not running Hell's Gate I would have total confidence in White Gold if you don't mind the weight.

I definitely won't be running Hell's Gate.

Thanks!

Someone is selling a Phoenix IXP in the for sale forum.

One of the Northstar guys has been running hell's gate - The IXP layup on an experimental whitewater design. After almost a full season, the boat is in remarkably good shape.

The new white gold layup looks really nice. I'd suggest calling the company to ask about repairability, experience with the new layup, and what would work best for your needs. They're all really nice and approachable.

Like others here, I keep drooling over the IXP Phoenix in the classifieds...

White/gold layup still has a foam core. The IXP has no foam core and gets its stiffness from many layers of fabric. Lighter foam core boat achieve stiffness by thickening the layup with a foam layer sandwiched between two very light layers of fabric. Foam core layups are ridgid, IPX is flexible. Much better for even moderate river touring.

I would recommend the IXP.

I would also imagine that the lack of a foam core would make the IXP boat more easy to repair?

I too have been looking at the IXP Phoenix for sale, but, unfortunately I am at least 7 or 8 months away from making a purchase.

Home repair much easier on the IXP, but Northstar can fix a hole in a foam core layup as well.