Someone near me is selling a Bell Morningstar canoe in carbon fiber--I think it's the "black and gold" version. It's in fair condition: the hull looks okay, but one of the seats are missing. The guy is asking $500 for it. I can't find much information about the Morningstar--especially the weight and dimensions--but I imagine these are very good canoes. Any advice? Can I paddle it solo as well as tandem? I would keep it down here at my parents' place in Florida, which I'm working now to repair from flooding. It would be used mainly for day tripping, maybe fishing.
I'll be grateful for any advice.

It's a fine boat. It's a bit on the wide side for solo use but I've paddled one solo and it's a pleasure. It's a fine, versatile, efficient, stable hull. The black/gold lay-up is desirable for sure. Seats are not expensive and they are easy to install. Ed's canoe (edscanoe.com) sells Bell replacement parts. If the link doesn't work let me know.
Morningstar specs

The boat is a little worse off than I thought. It has a small hole in it (easy to fix, I'm guessing), but also some "cracks." Here's what the seller says:

"There is one hole L shaped about 3 inches long. The cracks are randomly over the canoe from age."

I'm not sure what this means. Cracks in the epoxy?
Morningstar canoe Morningstar canoe Morningstar canoe

That is not "carbon Fiber." It is either Kev-Krystal, or Kev Lite. An excellent solo canoe, but this one looks like a well beat on rental canoe by the riveted seats and condition. What is it worth? That's up to you but it's a hard pass for me at $550 in that condition.
My 2004 Morningstar in Kev Lite

Yes it's not black/gold it's lightweight Kevlar which is still a very nice construction.

That boat has a story to tell and I can't figure it out from the pics. From what I can see the hull appears to be in pretty good shape. But I'd want to understand the discoloration. Doesn't seem to be dirt since it's somehow under the decals. Just looking at the light color on the bottom of the hull it looks like it may have been left sitting in the water for years and maybe water has penetrated the fabric and created mold (in which case it's a throw-away). I just can't tell from the pics but it sure seems like the seller is hiding the boat's history.

Thanks to all. I talked to Dan at Northstar canoes yesterday who discussed how to evaluate the seriousness of the cracking. He agreed that the boat had been abused. The possibility of mold inside the layup introduces a whole new possibility I hadn't thought of. I'm going to look at it later today; if anyone has any more advice, please let me know, including price--and whether it's worth getting at all. It would be for flatwater use in south florida when I come down to visit my parents-including reconstruction trips this winter. The light weight is very attractive.

I would calculate the price of new seats, thwarts, yoke and resin. If you have the time and inclination it would be worth $250-300 to have a good solo/light tandem.

Photos in ad look like canoe has been left in the sun for years. I would guess that the bond between kevlar and resin has been compromised to a degree that is irreversible. Wouldn't touch it.

I can't comment on this particular canoe you're considering, but will offer that my 2008 Bell Morningstar (royalex) was my first solo canoe. I really enjoyed its stability and it paddled well for me solo from the bow. My longer legs comfortably fit over the bow thwart sitting reversed. Definitely not the swiftest of boats, solo or tandem, but a really good and reliable first solo canoe for me.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I did end up buying the canoe--for $300. The folks at Northstar have suggested reinforcing areas that are soft from cracking (there are a couple), but otherwise the canoe is useable. (The cracking itself doesn't need repair unless the hull is soft at any particular point to require reinforcement.) The boats original reinforcing--at the seats and two ribs in the middle--have kept the boat stiff over much of it's length. It's a very light canoe, that's for sure, and beautiful despite it's distressed condition. I'm excited to get it out. Maybe later today.

Hard to go wrong for $300. Hope she serves you well!

Just a quick update on my canoe--and to thank all who offered advice and suggestions. I did the repairs and reinforcement work that were suggested by the folks at Northstar canoes. There wasn't actually a lot to do; most of the hull was still pretty stiff. I also installed drop seats and a kneeling thwart toward the middle. And I took it out for the first time today, paddling solo. It's a great canoe. Certainly the best canoe I've ever paddled.

Well, congratulations. It sounds like you did very well considering the excellent price you paid. Enjoy your canoe.

overland: "And I took it out for the first time today, paddling solo. It's a great canoe. Certainly the best canoe I've ever paddled. "

Thanks for the update and congratulations on the purchase and successful repairs. May you enjoy many fine paddles in your new boat.

And I just have to add…..I’m more than a little jealous you were able to paddle today. Open water season here in the land of 10k frozen lakes seems a lifetime away at the moment! :)

overland: " And I took it out for the first time today, paddling solo. It's a great canoe. Certainly the best canoe I've ever paddled. "

That's great to hear! I love narrow tandem canoes as wilderness tripping solo canoes. Hope you have many great adventures with it.

One thing I noticed: I've tried it with both a single blade paddle and a double blade paddle. The double blade is noticeably faster. The boat tracks pretty well, too. I've never used a double blade before, but I'm close to being sold on it. The only problem is water dripping into the boat. But I guess I can live with that.

I'm a huge fan of 270cm double blades. Unlike a vertical kayak stroke I don't get any water in the canoe at all. I crossed Horse lake in 30 plus mile per hour winds (Not recommending doing that) with a 270 Accent Air and stayed dry. One of my tripping partners prefers the shorter length and vertical stroke. You'll just have to experiment and find what works best for you.

Will a longer paddle give me less dripping? What length should I shoot for?

overland: "Will a longer paddle give me less dripping? What length should I shoot for?"

That's a full width (36") tandem canoe - if you are paddling solo from the middle, even 240 might not be wide enough. Thinking 260 or even 280, though others may chime in with better intel.

Yes to the less dripping question...longer paddle, lower angle, less dripping.

I'm 6'2" and originally bought the Air Accent double at 270 cm. It worked to solo in my Wenonah Boundary Waters canoe which is 36" wide. Last year I purchased a dedicated solo canoe and find the same paddle to be a little too long. It isn't overly long for me so I'm not planning to replace it. I do fully acknowledge I'm probably missing out on some efficiency or speed but I'm comfortable and competent with it so it stays. Hope that helps.

overland: "Will a longer paddle give me less dripping? What length should I shoot for?"

Yes, the longer double blade the more horizontal stroke you can use. What length are you using now? 260-70 works for me , but it's best to try different lengths till you find one that suits you.

sns: "

overland: "Will a longer paddle give me less dripping? What length should I shoot for?"

That's a full width (36") tandem canoe - if you are paddling solo from the middle, even 240 might not be wide enough. Thinking 260 or even 280, though others may chime in with better intel.


Yes to the less dripping question...longer paddle, lower angle, less dripping."

The Morningstar has a gunwale width of 32 inches, that's what makes it such a great solo canoe.