Northstar Firebird vs Bell Flashfire Solo Canoe

[@HeadwatersKayak]

Yes! You’ve talk about this one for years.

[@rickquist3992]

Your humility is an admirable trait. That was a respectable display of paddling prowess man.

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

Love the awesome video Ethan....and of course the "Bell" hat looks great on you!!! Happy Paddling!

[@martincuff154]

I have a Phoenix in Starlite and an '05 Wildfire in aramid with a foam core. You would probably draw the same conclusions - the Phoenix definitely runs drier and tracks a bit straighter but the Wildfire is more fun and responsive. To get the same responsiveness in the Phoenix I moved the seat forward a bit over an inch to free the stern more. Both are great boats.

[@robertlee6949]

So all that graceful maneuvering did eventually turn into "Swan Lake"...

[@LustigWoodworks]

The mid-winter paddling videos are great. Getting excited for Spring. I picked up sit on top kayaking and fishing the last 2 yrs.! Your videos are getting me to wonder whether I need to add a canoe to the mix. :)

[@Fishaholicboy]

Really love seeing what you can do with a canoe

[@NikonF5user]

I have a project FlashFire, curious what you think about a taller, heavier paddler in the boat? I'm 6'1, 220ish, will it be safe to paddle?

[@HappyPaddlin]

It will float you and might be a fun skills builder. Not optimal w a load but could be a fun poke about canoe. I can definitely take my 100 LB golden retriever in my Flashfire/Firebird for fun (270 lbs). But, not the best performance at that point.

[@davidboedy9622]

Ni e demo job, and please, no apologies to freestyle rodeo cowboys. Your technique and commentary showed us what we need to know.

[@brianmulherin4535]

I wanted to love the Firebird because I love my RX Wildfire. But being a smaller-framed paddler, the Northstar boats feel like mittens to me, where Bells and my Curtis Dragonfly feel like gloves.

[@HappyPaddlin]

Interesting, sold my wildfire the second I got into the Phoenix. Flashfire for sale as well which I thought I would never sell. For Western Waters, the extra depth and slightly fuller feel just makes way more practical for actual river trips. The Wildfire/Flashfire just feel like pond freestylers now and not as useful for multi-day and river trips in the waters we have here. But, I could see where you are coming from bc the flashfire did feel "tighter" and in other areas of the country might be a nice option. Thanks for sharing your input here as many might be in your situations/size.

[@jean-marcchabot5428]

Great paddling beautiful to watch can't wait till snow melts up here in canada

[@bradburden8915]

Love that Firebird!

[@courtlandbates2683]

Squad of dudes partaking of your camera??

[@HappyPaddlin]

Just some young guys getting in the way of my shot partaking in the “Oregon Safety Huddle”!

[@davidstill1256]

Hi I'm looking for a solo canoe here in the UK folks generally paddle tandem boats solo but I'd love to have a dedicated solo boat. My problem is I'm a heavy paddler and concerned about the low freeboard as I paddle sheltered estuaries with wind and waves could you give me some pointers of boats to look at please? I do like northstar canoes they do look a little shallow though.

[@HappyPaddlin]

In big wind and waves, a large tandem scares me in how I would control all that “sail” in the wind with minimal traction bc I wouldn’t sink much into the water. Solo’ing tandems in big wind is tough! So, I’d go w an appropriate sized solo and consider a cover/skirt/flotation.