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justpaddlin	10/05/2019 06:29PM   My black/gold Merlin II with wood trim was just under $2000 in 1999. Now it looks like a similar BlackLite Northwind Solo would be about $3200 with wood trim so I think my Merlin would be a pretty good deal at $1500 used. It's not just a lack of depreciation but also the much increased price of new state of the art boats. Plus I have my wife's permission to buy a new canoe if I wanted but spending $3-4K (or more) on a new bike might not be a good move in my house.
nctry	10/03/2019 05:09AM   Not sure I’d bring it back to Mars... but here on earth it’ll serve you well. Welcome to the board and to earth Martian. MO is a good place to call home. We just lost a very good friend from MO... so you have shoes to fill. Keep us informed how it works for you.
mjmkjun	10/03/2019 02:45PM   purchase not illogical
martian	10/02/2019 07:35PM   In an effort to paddle a little more than pedal, I placed an order for a Northstar Northwind 16 in Blacklite. Hoping it will make a great tandem and solo BWCA canoe that will last us a lifetime. The dangers of being in traffic every afternoon on a bike is getting really old. My friends think I'm nuts at the expense. What is the life expectation on a Kevlar canoe that should be well maintained? Ultimately, would Spock approve?
Blatz	10/02/2019 07:56PM   The life of a Kevlar canoe is way longer than a carbon frame on a bike. Your friends should know that the cost of NW Northstar in Blacklite is comparable to a bike with Mid Range components.
bhouse46	10/02/2019 07:58PM   I suspect the blacklite layup includes some carbon fiber in addition to the kevlar. With proper care the hull is pretty much indestructible. But like a really nice bike, run it into a rock and you have problems. Most folks with kevlar and carbon boats wet foot, do not run the boat up on shore preferring to get out a little off shore to avoid any scrapes or puncture events to the hull. Eventually enough scratches occur to require some repair, but even pretty serious damage can be repaired. I have paddled the 16 foot carbon/kevlar Magic for eight years and while it shows wear it is in great shape and heading back north tomorrow for another trip. I paddle nearly every week although I have slacked off over the last year.
MReid	10/02/2019 08:54PM   I bike and paddle. Canoeing is cheaper! I have three bikes (2 mt., one carbon/Ultegra road), and 4 canoes (2 glass, 1 Royalex, 1 Kevlar). One of my glass boats I bought new in 1983, the other used in 1993--both are very functional still. I don't have bikes of that vintage, as technology changes so much. I've spent way more money on bikes than canoes, and I'm cheap.
egknuti	10/02/2019 09:45PM   I’ve had my Kevlar for over 25 years and still going strong. Over the years I’ve had minor repairs and maintenance.
muddyfeet	10/26/2019 10:06PM   All the logic you need in this situation. Enjoy the Canoe- it will open up new worlds for you!
justpaddlin	10/03/2019 02:10PM   martian: "In an effort to paddle a little more than pedal, I placed an order for a Northstar Northwind 16 in Blacklite. Hoping it will make a great tandem and solo BWCA canoe that will last us a lifetime. The dangers of being in traffic every afternoon on a bike is getting really old. My friends think I'm nuts at the expense. What is the life expectation on a Kevlar canoe that should be well maintained? Ultimately, would Spock approve? " This carbon/Kevlar canoe is 20 years old and has been taken out well over 1000 times and I could sell it for 75% of what I paid for it because there is nothing wrong with it. Over the years I may have spent over $50 on maintenance. How does that compare to bikes? You should try to avoid sinking the boat in fast current and letting it slam into rocks, just as you might avoid riding a nice bike off a tall building.
martian	10/03/2019 07:42PM   Thanks everyone for your responses. Clearly found an awesome community to be a part of. There is so much information here to take in and so many characters. Did a bunch of research on this purchase here and everyplace I could find. It should be good one. I'll collect it in the spring maybe on the way up North to make some more favorite memories. It's pretty cool that these boats last so long and hold their value so well. That I didn't realize. It's been said,bikes don't and if you raced it even less. So what a great logical investment.
jillpine	10/05/2019 08:53PM   "nuts at the expense"? As in: "How on earth does Northstar produce this wonder-to-behold at this price point?" Because that's what I ask when I load, portage and paddle my Northstar.
jillpine	10/05/2019 08:59PM   justpaddlin: "I think my Merlin would be a pretty good deal at $1500 used. " Me too. When you're ready, my email is awaiting! :)
martian	10/05/2019 11:42PM   So impressive guys.... stoked to pick mine up in months. The wait is a killer. I was awed when I saw NW 17's this spring in Ely. Then the research began. Of course, KC has no paddling stores with anything of this quality. Sadly, I haven't even paddled one. Just drooled over them. Car topping the old 61lbs aluminum canoe got old as have I so we traded up for the Porsche of canoes.
airmorse	10/28/2019 03:06PM   muddyfeet: "All the logic you need in this situation. Enjoy the Canoe- it will open up new worlds for you! " This is how all of life's decisions should be made.
bwcadan	10/14/2019 09:57AM   One of the reasons the kevlar canoes keep their value is the price for new ones go up most years. it reasonable to expect to sell for around 75% to near 100% of your purchase price. Reasonable care is expected for that happens including inside storage.
bwcasolo	10/03/2019 06:31AM   congrats on the new boat, recently retired, and an active, 100 + miles a week biker, i too just purchased a different canoe with no regrets. it's quite logical what you did. enjoy it to the max! oh, i am looking at a full carbon, fuJi, next :)
martian	10/27/2019 07:48PM   That chart is great! It's offical. Once I received pictures that it was in early I had to make a road trip and bring it home. It's simply gorgeous! Everyone's reviews I read were spot on. Wow! Holy cow car topping this puppy is amazingly easy. Now I need to get to the lake. Thanks for all the encouragement. So far no divorce, bonus.
mjmkjun	10/06/2019 09:15AM   jhb8426: "justpaddlin: "...This carbon/Kevlar canoe is 20 years old and has been taken out well over 1000 times... " I've got one just like that, including the cart. The cart makes life a lot easier these days." Forget the canoe. I want a dog like that! :)
justpaddlin	10/06/2019 09:22AM   jillpine: "justpaddlin: "I think my Merlin would be a pretty good deal at $1500 used. " Me too. When you're ready, my email is awaiting! :)" I'd like to help you out but my paddling partner seems pretty comfy in the boat. Besides it's around 40 pounds so it would feel like a brick compared to your Trillium. I think the black walnut seat from edscanoe added about 2 pounds but I don't care. I thoroughly sanded and reoiled the wood this past summer since it seemed appropriate after 20 years of service and the boat still cleans up nicely!
justpaddlin	10/06/2019 09:47AM   mjmkjun: "jhb8426: "justpaddlin: "...This carbon/Kevlar canoe is 20 years old and has been taken out well over 1000 times... " I've got one just like that, including the cart. The cart makes life a lot easier these days." Forget the canoe. I want a dog like that! :)" Zoey is a mostly-coonhound mutt that my wife got for free at "the longest yard sale" in Kentucky while I was out of town working. According to her DNA summary coonhounds are meant to hunt raccoons, bear and cougar and so far she has protected us from all 3. Her greeting can be a bit intense since she charges at light speed while barking and growling in the hope that you will climb a tree out of fear and respect but she also gets along just fine with the neighbor's kitten and 2 year old.
martian	10/02/2019 09:59PM   So true. The carbon bike setups are easily equal or more money. I'm liking the sound of 25 years. That should keep us on the water a good long time.
jhb8426	10/05/2019 01:25AM   justpaddlin: "...This carbon/Kevlar canoe is 20 years old and has been taken out well over 1000 times... " I've got one just like that, including the cart. The cart makes life a lot easier these days.
jillpine	10/07/2019 05:38AM   justpaddlin: "jillpine: "justpaddlin: "I think my Merlin would be a pretty good deal at $1500 used. " Me too. When you're ready, my email is awaiting! :)" I'd like to help you out but my paddling partner seems pretty comfy in the boat. Besides it's around 40 pounds so it would feel like a brick compared to your Trillium. I think the black walnut seat from edscanoe added about 2 pounds but I don't care. I thoroughly sanded and reoiled the wood this past summer since it seemed appropriate after 20 years of service and the boat still cleans up nicely! " It's a beautiful boat and a beautiful dog. Hounds are full of feelings. She'd be crushed if you parted with the Merlin! :)
mjmkjun	10/07/2019 07:18AM   xtraSweet! Justpaddlin, thanks for Zoey's short character descript & pics. Just what I woulda expected of the soulful breed (including mixed). Sometimes the pure hound bloodlines are so stubborn they are difficult to school in commands. Like to see tags on collars, too! Proper shots/vaccinations mean that someone gives a damn. Martian, am sorry for going off-topic but couldn't hold back my affections for dogs. ...and Martian: "Northstar Northwind 16 in Blacklite" sounds like a neat little bookshelf item. ;) Please show-off your new canoe with a picture! Most anxious to see.
Captn Tony	10/06/2019 06:51AM   I have yet to have change the bearings, have the derailer adjusted, replace the gears, or change the tires on my canoe. Also have never almost got hit by a car while paddling! Nuff said!