Northstar NW Solo IXP vs BlackLite

Over the last many years, I have used a variety of Northstar NW Solos in my personal fleet. The NW solo is such a versatile model in their fleet and usually one that I always keep in the “pole position” in my garage so it is fast to the water for me. It’s usually my go-to sooo for what I like to do locally.
When most think about Northstar Canoes, they picture the BlackLite lamination. The win-win of having lightweight and greater durability makes it probably the most popular lay-up in the Western states. However, often Western paddlers want to play on some of our great rivers and the ability to take a THUD in stride is needed. That’s where IXP is such a great option. 20-30% heavier but way better at handling loaded impacts/thuds.
In this video, I describe how these two laminations might feel and perform differently. It’s a lot of me talking, but hopefully you’ll get some good nuggets of insight to add to your considerations.

[@Mark_L40]

While I’m on the other side of the country, I greatly appreciate your videos. They’re a great help in my research for a solo canoe!

[@HappyPaddlin]

Appreciate the support. Wanted to just off gas some thoughts and don’t know how that always comes across! Hopefully it is helpful to those on the solo canoe hunt.

[@benjaminallen2370]

Love my NW Solo in BlackLite. Does scratch on rocks in river pretty easy though. But after the first one you don't care much, and I love the light weight for truck topping (got really tired of heavy plastic kayaks). Do wish I got the wood trim (vs aluminum) but couldn't find one in stock in New England. Thanks for all your videos that helped in making my choice a year ago.

[@jimfromoregonusa9899]

Very well explained! And as you said toward the end ..."what if I want to do it all"...then IXP for sure...Love my IXP Phoenix thanks to you and your recommendations for my needs.!

[@HappyPaddlin]

Jim, you are the true example for how an IXP canoe can be so versatile!

[@bluesideup007]

Excellent video with good explanation of the differences and advantages of the various layups. I got a NW Solo last summer and love the size and paddling efficiency. I wound up with the Blacklight for the significant weight savings of around 10#. (mine in came in several pounds lighter than the catalog weight 😀) I live in southcental Wisconsin and mostly paddle tamer rivers, lakes, and Canadian open dake country. I have a few other solos: Sawyer Summersong and Autumn Mist, and a freestyle Pat Moore design). The NW Solo will be my new favorite, hands down. This will also round out my fleet of two other tandems.

[@T3PinR]

I don't know if it does this with IXP, but I've had people tell me how cool BL looks when the sun shines through it. You caught a small glimpse of it at one point. Happy New Year !

[@HappyPaddlin]

Good call out!!

[@TheWhiskeyCowboyLife]

As I mentioned in another video, I wanted my Phoenix in IXP but none were available in my market. But there WAS a Blacklite. The Blacklite is their BEST looking layup. It is super sexy and gets compliments all the time. And for my use, it has been more than durable. This is not saying IXP isn't the right choice for people or to not consider. It is to say that depending on your ACTUAL needs (not what you THINK you may need), the Blacklite may be a great choice. I would take an IXP any day... I am a big guy so the added 10lbs isn't a problem. But the Blacklite is like tossing around a feather. LOL And did I say how sexy it is? ;) So how do I use MY canoe? I am a small to mid size river and small to mid size pond/lake and backwater paddler. I don't go through much white water or rocky stuff. Some rocks, sure, it's going to happen, and my Blacklite has never let me down even over rocks or into them. But I have not run into rocks in a FAST flowing river. So it really depends on (as I stated) what you REALLY need the canoe to do for you and the type of canoeing you ACTUALLY do, not fantasize about doing. And you covered that in your video pretty well. Hey, did I mention how much attention the Blacklite gets? It's sexy. ;)

[@plmn93]

Yeah, I mean it seems to me Starlite would be essentially the same with more layers and the same epoxy. Aramid is cloth too after all. I've seen these get scratched through right to the fabric just like an Aramid/Kevlar canoe and they require the same repairs when damaged. T-Formex is the Royalex replacement if you need some flexibility, though it is a little heavier than Royalex used to be. Still, this has advantages too, like he mentioned. A key one is that it's easy to repair. The two main downsides are more maintenance and high cost.

[@HappyPaddlin]

I’ve seen T-formex and Royalex split open at the ends from hard hits. It’s a heat formed ABS/Foam material which is drawn thinner in some areas when formed. Add cold cracking potential plus the weight jump of 10-20 lbs with flexy feel and rounded lines and IXP seems to be a no brainer for not that much more of a jump in spend. For me, Royalex and T-Formex just won’t be going in my shed any longer.

[@ianbruce6515]

I love my Northwind Northstar solo--but I find myself using a double paddle. It dances and turns and slides and does tricks with a single paddle--but doesnt travel in a straight line as well as a loaded tandem paddled from the bow seat. At first, I thought I'd lost my mojo-- but I see that even pros like yourself need to use a lot of correction and often switch sides. I love a single paddle (I just made myself a lovely ash beavertail--but a double paddle seems a total natural for this boat. I'll use my single paddle as a backup paddle and for manoevering while fishing

[@HappyPaddlin]

Definitely don’t need to switch sides if I don’t want to! More time in boat! Keep refining. The c stroke is the way as well. You are more in the middle of the canoe than the described position in your tandem. Takes adjustment and time.

[@KamberKahu]

Happy New Year 🎆

[@gregorymaloy7197]

Curious why you’re moving away from the E6 carbon gunwales?

[@HappyPaddlin]

No reason in particular at all. I just kind of shift around, depending on what’s available. I actually also have a Northwind stealth in the bag and might end up taking that one! I just kind of like changing it up, but I also have a Trillium with E6 that might slide into my demo fleet.

[@vicselixir]

I own and love the blacklight. Would love to see how much abuse it could tolerate without scratching my own up finding out.

[@HappyPaddlin]

I’ve got stories!

[@backinthewoods2022]

I have taken my B17 blacklight on the Namakogan River in WI in low water levels, when I was not a good paddler, with my wife on a three day trip. We hit many rocks and some pretty hard hits as well and scraped bottom many times. That was the second time I had it out and I wanted to puke afterward but after the initial sting don't worry about keeping it nice anymore and it functions perfectly. I don't have to baby it in the BWCA when I go now. There are two large scratches where you can actually see on the inside but like I say no issues. You can check out that trip and the effects Back In The Woods #143 Canoe Camping with 2 People and 3 Dogs/ Northstar b17 blacklite. Hope that helps

[@tkinsey472]

OK, now for the elephant in the room. What are the price differences between the materials ------- $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ???????????????

[@HappyPaddlin]

Pricing here: happypaddlin.com/northstar-canoes/ ~$400 more for BlackLite depending on model. Second “elephant in the room “ phrase used in comments in 24 hrs...must explore why/when a question elevates to elephant level for my own curiosity 🤪🛶