BWCA Northstar decks (plastic) - other options? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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06/26/2020 09:15PM  
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So I have been tweaking and modding and have my NS Magic about where I want it.

The one thing left - and this one is the only mod that's basically cosmetic - would be the plastic end 'decks'.

I believe the NS makes 'one size fits all' for their decks (for aluminum gunwales).

The problem is that their different models have a wide range of pointy-ness.

The magic is probably their most pointy, and this means the decks have gaps on the sides that look weird.

Furthermore, mine were installed somewhat lopsided. Photo here is of the front deck. The rear is maybe an eight of an inch more lopsided - on both, one gap is more than double the width of the other.

So the decks just do not look right, to my eye anyway. Even if they were not lopsided, on this model they look like a kid wearing an adult's shoes.

Anyone have ideas to remedy?
 
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PortageKeeper
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06/27/2020 05:44AM  
I have replaced those with decks that fit. Contact Northstar for the correct ones or make your own from Kydex that you can buy on Ebay.
 
06/27/2020 07:41AM  
Northstar appears to just sell one deck...from their site:

"Durable, thermoformed plastic end deck. One size fits all Northstar Canoes.
Our decks are made from a different mold than Bell Canoe decks, though they fit many Bell composite canoes. Adjustments will likely need to be made to grab handles for the deck to fit Bell boats.
These decks do NOT fit Bell Royalex canoes."

However I love the Kydex idea.

Will be tricky to form properly due to both side edges curving under greater than 90 degrees...but I think that's the way to go.

Thank you PK!
 
justpaddlin
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06/27/2020 07:34PM  
Just FYI edscanoe sells replacement decks for Bells including one specifically designed for the Magic if you check the drop down menu. You'd have to figure out a good way to attach/integrate it.

deck for Magic
 
06/29/2020 04:23PM  
Thanks for the idea - unfortunately those decks from ed's are for wood gunwales and would not cover the exposed ends of the aluminum gunwales if i take the plastic ones off.

Kydex ordered - looking forward to playing with it.
 
08/16/2020 08:53AM  
FYI - I got around to fabricating a Kydex deck, and have posted info on that in the DIY subforum for anyone interested.
 
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