Pack Canoe On-Water Paddle and Review: Northstar Canoe ADK and Trillium

[@HeadwatersKayak]

100% with you on the hoodie. My new favorite piece of clothing for on and off the water.

[@mmmbass6068]

Long time canoe and kayak fisher here, with sea-kayaking experience also. I have just changed my fishing rig - a fun 12’ sit-in kayak - to a pack canoe. I fish estuaries and freshwater, and I can tell you, you do not need a deck on your boat! Very happy with the switch on numerous fronts, so much more user friendly. Go get a pack boat for fishing! Cheers.

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

Really enjoy this video! Love this area and picked up good usable info i.e. (o-rings).thanks!

[@HappyPaddlin]

For a man that knows his gear, I’m glad I could add to your knowledge!

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

@@HappyPaddlin YOU always bring something to the table....and I am never to old to learn...so thanks!

[@normascott3613]

Cool I didn't know much about pack canoe other than were suggested in kayak threads. You can edge a canoe!? And have cooler in reach and you were moving on that stream, not canoe slow. Hmm maybe need check those out. Thanks.

[@HappyPaddlin]

I hang out with a lot of shop employees, owners and managers. The longer they’ve been at it, the more likely they will tell you that a canoe (a nice one) is their favorite craft. And I’m in total “kayak country”!

[@ArisaemaDracontium]

I currently have a ADK and am thinking of trading it in for a Trillium. I love how maneuverable the ADK is and how easy it is to take from place to place. I love padding small waters, but I live a few blocks from a 3,300 acre lake and do 80% of my paddling there or the 9,800 acre neighboring lake. It sounds like the Trillium would be faster and track better. But I'm wondering if the Trillium would also be more 'seaworthy' for handling waves and boat wakes. What do you think?

[@HappyPaddlin]

I should take both to a wavy lake and do a vid. But, I do think the trillium would handle bigger waters with a bit more tracking, speed and drier.

[@deepmarsh]

I’m in Alabama and I’m curious how hot the aluminum gunnels will be in the summer time ?

[@HappyPaddlin]

Huge sun where I live and 100 degree days mid summer. Never been bad for me. I wear sunshirts all the time so I’m protected. Can alway splash water on it too. Feel like a carbon paddle has the potential to get hotter.

[@robertagans4234]

Great content, thx!

[@normascott3613]

So how does pack canoe do in large lakes with powerboats and windy day?

[@HappyPaddlin]

A lot of this type of question is a “paddler question”. I would take an ADK in most all inland applications…grew up along the Mississippi and would go there too. If more depth/tracking/glide (for big open water) is desired, you can do the Trillium in a pack set up or even the NW Solo. NW Solos have gone the length of the Mississippi River by many. A canoe deck cover is also an awesome option and Red Leaf and Cooke Custom Sewing both have designs for all Northstar solos. These basically create the “kayak deck” so steep waves shed. You’ll see them on FB groups for Solo Canoes and folks love them. (On my shopping list). I have also seen home versions and even made an improvised deck cover out of poly wrap from a shipped kayak to race once! A typical lake with some motor boat wake and afternoon wind would not turn me away in a pack canoe bc they have low windage and plenty of stability.