Currently own a mid-90s Bell Northwoods. We love the canoe and use it for trips anytime we're bringing the dog as it gives us plenty of room for gear and the pup. When not bringing the dog, we use a Bell Northstar.

I love the size, stability and efficiency of that boat. We've had the boat for over 20 years. As I've aged, I've been looking at newer models. Canoe construction and materials have evolved in the last years and shaving 15+ pounds off the weight of the canoe, sounds pretty nice.

I'm currently trying to decide between the following:

Redfeather Ursa Major - this is the old Northwoods hull.
Redfeather Mystic - This hull has always intrigued me, never had the opportunity to paddle.
Greyduck Vision 18 - Aesthetically love these canoes, have never paddled one.
Northstar Northwind 18 - I've paddled the boat. It feels basic to me.

I'm leaning towards the Greyduck Vision 18. Thoughts on the models or any other model not mentioned that I should consider?

p.s. Not a Wenonah guy - I've been in a handful of them and never liked the feel or comfort.

Speck, have you looked at the Souris River Quetico 18.5? I have owned a Mad River Lamoille 184 for 20 years and have always thought that if I ever get a new canoe, perhaps that would be the one to replace it. It has the length, the glide, the room (especially for the bow paddler) and the dog would have a spot to hang out while traveling. And at 49#, it's tolerable on the portages. For reference, my Lamoille weighs 50#.

Good luck in your decision-making.

I'll just mention that I doubt the Mystic is a good choice. It's been a long time since I've paddled one and the boat also intrigued me. My impression was that it was effortless getting up to speed but the boat was always moving underneath you...maybe not quite twitching but never calm and stable, although it might be better with a load. Big stability give-up vs Northwoods.

I think there are tradeoffs with some of the lighter lay-ups that may be fine for you but worth consideration. My black/gold Merlin II has a thick gelcoat and no foam core and was rated for light whitewater and I sometimes ram trees to get over them. Grey Duck told me they could use a high durability core (in an Orion) but to be honest I would assume a decrease of durability vs a black/gold Bell and the "high durability" Orion would only save 3-4 pounds over the likely sturdier Metlin II. I think the RF Merlin III could be 8 pounds lighter than my Merlin II but I could not use it the same way...I'd treat it like my 30 pound Osprey and avoid ramming trees, dragging over obstacles, breaking ice. I think the skincoat (on Northstars) may require periodic epoxy coating if you sratch/scuff it up which isn't a big deal but I do appreciate the protection and peace of mind of a gelcoat.

That big Grey Duck does look very nice. Swift made a Quetico 18'4" that I absolutely loved...similar to Northwoods for speed, handling, comfort.

The layup and associated trade-offs is something to maybe explore further.

GreyDuck and Northstar both offer a Carbon Innegra Layup and an Arimid Layup.

Red Feather offers a Carbon Layup and Aero, which is a mix of Arimid and Innegra Blend

I'm leaning towards a carbon based layup regardless of the canoe, for mainly aesthetic reasons...The Aramid blends do weigh a couple lbs less though.

Jackfish: "I have owned a Mad River Lamoille 184 for 20 years."

Such a nice hull. Stable, seaworthy and pretty quick. Don't think the SR could keep up to it. Many of the Mad River fiber boats were close to bomb proof.

I had a beautiful red Bell Northwoods in black gold layup. It was stable, fast, and a serious load hauler. Not terrible to portage, but not lightweight, by any means, either. I, too, wanted to shave a few pounds off and sold it a couple years ago. I've regretted it since. The Northwind 18 is similar in design, but it's not as fast as the Northwoods.

I'm still deciding on the replacement, but might end up going back to a kevlar Northwoods or Northwind 18. I have a NW solo in Blacklite with the full E6 trim and parts. I absolutely love it and would probably enjoy the same setup in a NW18.

KanMopaddler: "The Northwind 18 is similar in design, but its not as fast as the Northwoods. "

Will chime in to add that as much as I like my NW17, the NW 18 has, time and time again, behaved like a slug (with 3 guys in it) for us. It's as slow as a Souris River...the Souris River however is not remotely pretending to be quick - it's a stable load-hauler. Northstar positions their Northwinds as being in the middle, a good balance of attributes...I think that is accurate for the 17 but not the 18. YMMV.

Interesting to hear the feedback about the Northwinds. I love Bell/Northstar canoes, but the Northwind, which I do have one (Not the 18), has never been my favorite hull. Yet it's their most popular. They've had a number of other now retired hulls that I've felt were better.

I'm leaning towards the Grey Duck Vision 18, but am nervous about having buyers regret. I really like the Northwoods... but am unsure about Redfeather.

If you like the the Northwoods, you'll love the Vision 18.
There are a couple at the Hornbeck store right now on sale. I don't know how much "off" it is. I don't know if I trust Redfeather either.

I don’t know what your budget is but have ya looked at Savage River? The poster Bamthor got a sweet ride from them a few years back.


Post about Savage RIver

Savage River Voyaguer

Some great discussion on here.

I'm with folks, I'm unsure about RedFeather BUT word on the streets of Ely is that they are moving here. Peaked in the window of the old Bike and Kicksled building the other day (it's been getting remodeled) and, sure enough, RedFeather hulls all over the place. I'm intrigued to see where that goes.

I'd love to get my hands on a Lamoille (or a TW special) someday. I've become a bit of a sucker for the old MR hulls...

Does swift still make an 18 ft (or 18.5) version of the Cirrus or is that model long gone?

I really like Nova Craft canoes' direction, but they don't make longer/faster hulls. Their only 18 is the Prospector 18 which, I imagine, can haul like a big rig but slowly.

I've been following this interesting discussion since the start but hesitated to chime in because I am not a big-boat aficionado. Have you looked at the Souris River Wilderness? It is narrower than either the Quetico 18.5 or the Northwind 18, but a bit shorter than either. SR notes that it has a shallow arch bottom so that it will feel less stable initially. The Wilderness weighs a few pounds less than the Q18.5.

Also looks like Swift is releasing a new boat called the Wabakimi 18. Might be a player.

Wabakimi 18

The wilderness is interesting. I have not seriously looked at Souris River. My general opinion has always been they're slow. Stable, comfortable, great carrying capacity, but slow.

Not that I need to be fastest one out there, but it's nice to have a boat that moves pretty efficiently. At age 50, wife and I need every advantage we can get to keep with my college athlete son and his girlfriend. They are in a Bell Northstar.

Swift: I wonder when that Wabakimi will be available. Looks like a great boat.

Redfeather: I talked to them extensively a couple months ago. They mentioned they were building a retail shop. That was not their original plan, original plan was to try and create a dealer network...but they were just striking out. They couldn't get anyone to carry their canoes.

What's the groups thoughts on the aramid layups vs carbon blends?

Aramid is the lighter of the two, but comes across a little "flimsy" to me. I'm undecided if it's a real thing or just my preconceived perception of it.

Speckled: "Swift: I wonder when that Wabakimi will be available. Looks like a great boat."

Bill indicated that they are planning to bring multiple Wabakimis to Canoecopia. I assume that means they will be for sale. But who knows…

Appreciate everyones discussion on the boats. Just ordered the below: Grey Duck Vision 18, Carbon Innegra and wood trim. Can't wait!!!



So - i'll have a Bell Northwoods for sale. White Gold Layup. Need to take some pictures this spring.

You'll have no regrets!! Congrats!

Very nice

Speckled: "Appreciate everyones discussion on the boats. Just ordered the below: Grey Duck Vision 18, Carbon Innegra and wood trim. Can't wait!!!

Speckled, if you remember reply with a review when you've gotten it out a couple times. I'm interested in Grey Duck canoes but there's not a lot of info out there yet. Will have to test paddle a couple eventually.

portagerunner: "

Speckled: "Appreciate everyones discussion on the boats. Just ordered the below: Grey Duck Vision 18, Carbon Innegra and wood trim. Can't wait!!!

Speckled, if you remember reply with a review when you've gotten it out a couple times. I'm interested in Grey Duck canoes but there's not a lot of info out there yet. Will have to test paddle a couple eventually."

Will do