Hello!

I am looking for a good canoe that will work for me to start taking trips with my family. I’m 6’3” 220lbs, my wife is 5’4” 120. Daughter 8 and son 5

I know this really isn’t a canoe for a family of 4 especially once the kids get older, but I also think it’s mostly going to just be me and the kids on trips, so I won’t want to be stuck with a mn3 or 4 when I don’t need that much canoe.

I grew up tripping with cedar canvas tandems with 3 paddlers, the middle man would sit on a pack, and that seemed to work well.

My questions are this:
Is this the right canoe for what I am thinking?
What’s a good price for this canoe? I know it’s older but it looks like it really hasn’t been used

Thanks in advance
-Egon

I have a black gold Northwoods that is perfect for a family canoe. It is big, stable, seaworthy, reasonably fast, reasonably maneuverable, and not heavy, even with the gel coat, which adds a lot of durability and protection. I love the old black gold bells with the clear gel coat.

In terms of price: Condition, year, location, and trim will all impact pricing, but if it is in good or decent condition, I think you'd be looking at $2k minimum, or considerably more. There isn't really anything like it on the market of which I'm aware. Good luck with the hunt.

We have a Bell Northwoods - love the canoe. We use it when we take the dog. You could very easily drop two or three packs in there and still have a "bay" for the kids.

It's stable and fairly fast as far as canoes go. Agree on the price, black gold - 1800-2000

Thank you both for your response! Sounds like it would be a perfect canoe for us, and I can add a third seat. Appreciate your experience!

Emoldenhauer90: "Hello!

I am looking for a good canoe that will work for me to start taking trips with my family. I’m 6’3” 220lbs, my wife is 5’4” 120. Daughter 8 and son 5

I know this really isn’t a canoe for a family of 4 especially once the kids get older, but I also think it’s mostly going to just be me and the kids on trips, so I won’t want to be stuck with a mn3 or 4 when I don’t need that much canoe.

I grew up tripping with cedar canvas tandems with 3 paddlers, the middle man would sit on a pack, and that seemed to work well.

My questions are this:
Is this the right canoe for what I am thinking?
What’s a good price for this canoe? I know it’s older but it looks like it really hasn’t been used

Thanks in advance
-Egon"

I have a Northwoods 17 in the lite version. The black/gold is a tougher laminate and does weigh a bit more. But, if you are reasonably careful the lite laminate does fine. I think their 20 foot Northwind would be something to consider for a family.

I have a Northwoods 17 in the lite version. The black/gold is a tougher laminate and does weigh a bit more. But, if you are reasonably careful the lite laminate does fine. I think their 20 foot Northwind would be something to consider for a family. "


Do you think the northwoods 18 would not be a suitable canoe for a father and 2 children as they grow up into teenagers?

I’m hesitant to get a much longer canoe as I can’t imagine portaging a 19-20’ canoe through the woods.

Although the Northstar B19 and Wenonah MN3 both peak my interest

I was in your spot a few years back trying to find the right model that works for a family of 4 (and occasionally a 40 lb dog) balancing enough capacity against too much boat. I ended up getting an outfitter Wenonah Seneca which is a lot of boat. My kids are now 10 and 11 and can still sit side by side in the center seat with my wife in the bow. Sometimes we'll drop a fourth seat (or use a pack) in for fishing and daytrips. If I am taking just my kids, I prefer using my Northwind 17 (dropping in a 3rd seat) over the family boat as the Seneca is difficult to control with their current paddling abilities.

Comparing against your listed options, this is slightly larger in capacity than the B19. Looking towards the future as my boys become teenagers, I may look to downsize to a NorthWind 18 for a 3-person canoe or let them paddle their own tandem. Either way, something with less capacity and less than 20ft long to fit in the garage. How many days you trip and how much gear you bring is something to consider.

Northwoods is a special boat that will suit your needs well. It's actually 18.5 feet. It paddles well lightly loaded (better than the smaller 17) and can handle up to 650/700 pounds efficiently. It cruises very well (low effort) and also handles/turns very easily. It's exceptionally seaworthy so very safe and comforting in rough conditions. Seems ideal for you.

Thank you both for your insight. Yes I think the northwoods will be better than a b19, because it can fit the 4 of us while the kids are little, and I realistically don’t know how often my wife will be joining us, especially during blackfly season.

18’6” is a ton of boat, I’ve never had a boat that big, and I’ve always tripped with 3 paddlers and full gear. I think it will be fine and I won’t feel like it’s completely overkill, especially as the kids age.

Thank you all, I’m going to pick it up this weekend. I’ll share pictures, it’s a beaut

Emoldenhauer90: "

I have a Northwoods 17 in the lite version. The black/gold is a tougher laminate and does weigh a bit more. But, if you are reasonably careful the lite laminate does fine. I think their 20 foot Northwind would be something to consider for a family. "



Do you think the northwoods 18 would not be a suitable canoe for a father and 2 children as they grow up into teenagers?


I’m hesitant to get a much longer canoe as I can’t imagine portaging a 19-20’ canoe through the woods.


Although the Northstar B19 and Wenonah MN3 both peak my interest "
I think the Northwoods 18 would be fine for 3 persons for tripping. Especially if you add a 3rd seat. It can handle a big load. It would not work well for 4 people. I am not familiar with the B19. Northstar canoes are very well built. But, so are wenonahs and SR. SR canoes will become more expensive with the Trump tariffs, I suppose. That should make US made canoes more financially attractive and affordable. In essence, all these canoes could work. A word of advice. The best thing if possible is to test paddle a new canoe. That is about the only way you can be sure it feels comfortable and fits your needs.

Thank you. I bought the Northwoods as it was a great deal, and will work great for me and the kids. I don’t think mom will be joining us all too often. I’ve paddled enough canoes that I could tell by the lines that it will be a joy to paddle. It’s got more rocker than a MN3 would have, and it’s not going to track a straight line as well. It’s going to really test my J stroke until the kids get older and can pull their own.
I’m looking forward to getting it out this spring.

I think you're going to love it. MN 3 has 1.5" rocker both Bow and Stern.
Northwoods has 1.5" Stern and 2.5" Bow.

Loaded and properly trimmed - I would say any difference wouldn't even be noticeable. I've always felt the Northwoods tracked as well as any canoe i've been in.

I’ve had several Bell Northwoods over the years, and I think they are hands down the best tripping canoe for 2+ provided the extra people aren’t full sized. I used it exactly how you are planning to use it. Always super stable, roomy, it was easy to add extra seats, and the blackgold with gelcoat is a stunning layup. It was also rock solid when it got kind of rough.

I’m not sure what price you paid, but I sold a gel-coat black gold Northwoods a couple of years ago in pretty nice shape for $2200. It definitely held its value, as did several others I bought and sold over the years.

Congrats! It’s a great purchase.