BWCA FS: Blackhawk “Starship” solo canoe Boundary Waters Items For Sale or Wanted
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      FS: Blackhawk “Starship” solo canoe     
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12/18/2019 06:35PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
It’s a 1994 Starship in the Silver layup which is “a blend of E & S Glass cloths in four weights and weaves.” It has been kept upside down from the ceiling in my garage the whole time I’ve owned it.

Blackhawk Canoe was in Janesville Wisconsin and stopped production in 1995. This is a solid, well designed long range tripper perfect for the Boundary Waters or rivers with small rapids. I have a clamp on yoke with adjustable Bourquinn Boat pads. The yoke and pads are from 2001 but in good shape and come with the boat.

The boat handles rough water exceptionally well. It does not “weather vane” because of the low stern profile and shallow V hull design. It’s a high volume solo and was perfect for me and my 50 Lb. border collie, gear and food. A 3 week trip with no resupply is certainly doable with this boat.

The cane seat is both sliding and height adjustable. It’s “canted” or slightly tipped down to facilitate kneeling. The hull is in great shape with just cosmetic scratches. I managed to get 2 new Blackhawk decals to put on the sides for someone who wants to refinish the hull. The decals go with the boat.

I installed wide skid plates in 2007 to protect the hull. The main improvement I made was replacing the gunnels in 2011. These were custom built and installed by master canoe builder Ralph Freese of the Chicagoland Canoe Base. Ralph charged $1500 to do this because of the intricate cuts. Per Ralphs instructions I finished the wood with 6 thin coats (light sanding in between coats) of satin marine spar varnish. In 2016 I lightly sanded and put on another 4 thin coats.

So what I have here is a classic tripper that is not made anymore. It's heavy by today's standards but handles extremely well and looks way cool. $1,200 and it's yours to enjoy.

















 
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12/19/2019 11:37AM  
I own a Starship and love it. High volume tripper, very stable for fishing, fun on smaller rivers. Not a sprinter but quite efficient once you get it moving.

As stated it does very well in wind and chop, I've been out on Lake Michigan on days when I couldn't believe I wasn't taking on any water. Lower profile in the stern also helps with weathervaning.

Great lines on this hull.

 
04/07/2020 08:11PM  
Very nice, where is this canoe located? Chicago-land?
 
05/25/2020 07:57AM  
I'm in the far western suburbs of Chicago. Carol Stream to be exact.
 
jazzman1161
member (39)member
  
05/26/2020 04:17PM  
Tom, I am currently restoring a Starship and would like to purchase the Blackhawk decals from you and would like to take a look at the seat. Mine has the flat seat and I would like to replicate a canted seat like yours. I could tell you stories about Phil Siggelkow as I worked with him for some time. Your boat looks very good--you spent some time and energy keeping it looking that way. I'll send you a PM if I can.
 
12/17/2021 09:19AM  
Bump.

I will be at Canoecopia 2022 and can bring the canoe there for an easy pick up if the buyer is closer to Madison Wi. than the Chicago area.
 
12/19/2021 08:40PM  
In 2001 I submitted some slides of my solo trip to Quetico to the BWJ magazine. I was totally shocked when the magazine arrived and my canoe was on the cover. I have a mint copy of the Winter 2002 Boundary Waters Journal to give the new owner of this boat.

 
tomo
distinguished member (211)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/21/2021 12:10PM  
Cool canoe! What is the weight?
 
12/21/2021 12:14PM  
49lbs plus the skid plates I installed in 2007 so 51-52 probably.
 
MReid
distinguished member (443)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/21/2021 01:11PM  
TomT: "In 2001 I submitted some slides of my solo trip to Quetico to the BWJ magazine. I was totally shocked when the magazine arrived and my canoe was on the cover. I have a mint copy of the Winter 2002 Boundary Waters Journal to give the new owner of this boat."

They didn't contact you beforehand? Did you give them all the copyright permissions with your original submission? Did you receive any compensation?

I've had a number of film images published for publication BITD, and there was always ongoing discussion of publication dates, payment, etc. There shouldn't be any surprise to either party. In the digital era now, it seems neither the photographer nor the publisher cares about these things. Photos aren't even a dime a dozen now--they're free.
Nice cover, by the way--congrats.
 
tomo
distinguished member (211)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/21/2021 01:56PM  
TomT: "49lbs plus the skid plates I installed in 2007 so 51-52 probably. "


Thanks. I've long wanted an ariel, and this starship is just as lovely.

 
12/21/2021 09:37PM  
MReid: "
TomT: "In 2001 I submitted some slides of my solo trip to Quetico to the BWJ magazine. I was totally shocked when the magazine arrived and my canoe was on the cover. I have a mint copy of the Winter 2002 Boundary Waters Journal to give the new owner of this boat."

They didn't contact you beforehand? Did you give them all the copyright permissions with your original submission? Did you receive any compensation?


I've had a number of film images published for publication BITD, and there was always ongoing discussion of publication dates, payment, etc. There shouldn't be any surprise to either party. In the digital era now, it seems neither the photographer nor the publisher cares about these things. Photos aren't even a dime a dozen now--they're free.
Nice cover, by the way--congrats."


This was 2002 and no, it was a complete surprise as my wife got the mail and put the magazine on my desk. She had no clue it was my pic on the cover so I came home from work and think I yelled pretty loud when I saw it. It really made my day that's for sure. And yes, I got a check from BWJ for $150.
 
12/21/2021 09:40PM  
tomo: "
TomT: "49lbs plus the skid plates I installed in 2007 so 51-52 probably. "

Thanks. I've long wanted an ariel, and this starship is just as lovely. "

It's a really cool boat and I was saving it for my son so we could be in solo boats together on trips but he said he'd prefer to get his own boat instead. I've had it on 8 trips to the BW and Quetico so have some fine memories with it. The pic of my dog Luna out cold taking a nap is one of my favorites. We had just come from Louisa Lake through the chain of small lakes and entered the McEwen River system. It was there that she conked out and in the pic we entered McEwen and you see the "hilton" site in front of us where we laid over.



 
tomo
distinguished member (211)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/22/2021 08:06PM  
TomT: "
tomo: "
TomT: "49lbs plus the skid plates I installed in 2007 so 51-52 probably. "

Thanks. I've long wanted an ariel, and this starship is just as lovely. "

It's a really cool boat and I was saving it for my son so we could be in solo boats together on trips but he said he'd prefer to get his own boat instead. I've had it on 8 trips to the BW and Quetico so have some fine memories with it. The pic of my dog Luna out cold taking a nap is one of my favorites. We had just come from Louisa Lake through the chain of small lakes and entered the McEwen River system. It was there that she conked out and in the pic we entered McEwen and you see the "hilton" site in front of us where we laid over.



"


Love it. A great repository of memories. Hopefully it finds a new owner that uses and appreciates it as much as you do. What does your son have his eye on?
 
12/27/2021 11:13PM  
tomo: "
TomT: "
tomo: "
TomT: "49lbs plus the skid plates I installed in 2007 so 51-52 probably. "

Thanks. I've long wanted an ariel, and this starship is just as lovely. "

It's a really cool boat and I was saving it for my son so we could be in solo boats together on trips but he said he'd prefer to get his own boat instead. I've had it on 8 trips to the BW and Quetico so have some fine memories with it. The pic of my dog Luna out cold taking a nap is one of my favorites. We had just come from Louisa Lake through the chain of small lakes and entered the McEwen River system. It was there that she conked out and in the pic we entered McEwen and you see the "hilton" site in front of us where we laid over.




"



Love it. A great repository of memories. Hopefully it finds a new owner that uses and appreciates it as much as you do. What does your son have his eye on?"


Nothing yet. He’s still in the Army based in Germany for 2 more years. He’s one who likes the latest technology.
 
12/27/2021 11:15PM  
This sale is pending.

If interested just send me an email in case the sale doesn’t go through.
 
01/29/2022 10:24AM  
Love the story behind this listing, but would like a little clarity on the status of the boat. Is this Starship sold? Is the sale still pending? A meetup at Canoecopia might indicate prospective buyers might harbor some hope. And lastly, is this Starship canoe named Jefferson?

Thanks!
 
01/30/2022 09:13PM  
NMJim: "Love the story behind this listing, but would like a little clarity on the status of the boat. Is this Starship sold? Is the sale still pending? A meetup at Canoecopia might indicate prospective buyers might harbor some hope. And lastly, is this Starship canoe named Jefferson?


Thanks!"


Thanks! I've got a downpayment and will meet the prospective buyer at Canoecopia with the boat. If the deal doesn't happen you can email me your name and I'll contact you. Email is below my screen name.
 
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