Time in my Northstar Canoes "Northwind Solo" l My Thoughts l Best Solo Canoe

[@BackcountryPaddler]

Can't wait to paddle with you guys next year. Let's get to planning something solid over winter. That scene at 3:25 was beautiful man. Your videos make me miss the Dacks so much!

[@mrgjoe]

Sounds like a plan to me! Thanks for the kudos and for watching.

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

Being there is a year long wait on Placid Boat Works, I have been looking at NorthStar. I can't seem to make up my mind, Northwind or Trillium....decisions decisions. How do you like your Northwind now that you have some miles on her?

[@mrgjoe]

NW can handle a bit more weight than the Trillium. I really like my NW Solo a lot and honestly there is nothing bad I can say about it, ok maybe one thing. I have the aluminum gunnels and the plastic end caps/decks are cheap. I opted for the starlite layup with aluminum for the lightest weight.

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

@@mrgjoe Thanks Joe. I appreciate the response. Here are my thoughts...... I have a Wenonah Wilderness UL so after much thought I am leaning towards the Trillium. I want a smaller UL pack boat for the trips where weight matters. so I think the Trillium wins. I have been dorking out on the models and information for 3 days now trying to make my mind. Lots of web searching and some lengthly phone calls. My conclusion is, Trillium in the Carbon stealth package. 21lbs That is 11lbs lighter than my Wilderness. Don't get me wrong, the Wilderness is an incredible canoe but.....11lbs!!!! I am not a very large person. 5'7" @ 170 lbs so I believe the canoe won't be too small at 14'6" And the best news of all, there is a Northstar dealer 32 minutes from my door step!!! If I place my order within the next week the canoe should be in by February!!!! Pretty sure that order is going to happen within the next few hours 🤣

[@mrgjoe]

@@ItsGoodintheWoods excellent choice in the Trillium which is basically the smaller version of the NW Solo. And yeah 11#'s makes a huge difference. I went with the Rapidfire because it really checked a lot of boxes for me. 15' @22# is insane.. So did you place an order yet?

[@ItsGoodintheWoods]

@@mrgjoe I did place my order. Trillium carbon stealth package. 14'6" @ 21 lbs! The trillium and the Rapid fire are extremely close when comparing specs. The Northwind was a bit larger. I am a smaller paddler so I think it will be a good fit. The canoe is a custom order, and should be in Feb/March! I am excited. And the best news is, the shop I ordered it from is about 30 minutes from my doorstep!!

[@mrgjoe]

@@ItsGoodintheWoods congrats man! The Trillium is a sweet boat and even better that it is close to home! I'm looking forward to getting my Rapidfire sometime next year. Toying with the idea of selling the NW Solo next year as I'm downsizing the fleet.

[@jonasf4065]

Why two similar solo boats? Sounds like you prefer the Northwind solo over the Hemlock Peregrine. How come?

[@mrgjoe]

I have several similar boats because I like canoes to be honest. The Peregrine is an awesome canoe as is the NW Solo. The only real difference between the two is the NW Solo has a little bit better glide to it. Hemlock Canoe recently bought back my Peregrine and is building me an Eaglet for spring time. I've also recently (June) picked up aa Wenonah Prism in Graphite.

[@jonasf4065]

@@mrgjoe Thank you. I was looking at both the Peregrine & NW solo but good to know the Solo has that slightly better attribute. It would be a tough decision as I do like the Peregrine lines a bit better as well as its wood gunnels. Funny, I am considering the Eaglet as well (the Eaglet III version). Wow, so spring! When did you order yours? I thought to possibly order during winter but am not so sure now. Thinking would not get it until next fall in this case. Congrats on the new Prism! Another great boat to add to the canoe quiver!

[@mrgjoe]

@@jonasf4065 I ordered the Eaglet lll this summer and told Dave to take his time as I did need or want it to spring. If you order now or over winter I'd easily say spring. I'm having mine built as the combi and then having Dave pull the seats and put thwarts in so it will essentially be a solo. This way when my niece's visit once or twice a year I can just pop in the seats. As for the NW Solo it is a great boat as is the Peregrine. I picked up a Curtis Nomad this year as well which is basically the Peregrine.

[@TR_Swan]

I don't understand the jab on Backcountry Paddler. Love the video. Breathtaking scenery. What a stable of boats you have. So is this the new favorite?

[@mrgjoe]

We like to bust each others chops. This boat in my opinion is pretty much a do it all boat.

[@BackcountryPaddler]

Hahaha all in fun. 😂 He mentions me in every video because he loves me so much!

[@mrgjoe]

Let’s not get too carried away😆

[@jimwortham8634]

Notice all the kayak videos no one shows getting in or getting out

[@robertbeirman107]

Gary rockin" the Kenny Rogers DOO!! ❤ 👊😃 lovely boat Joe...

[@mrgjoe]

Haha, thank you!

[@nunyabidness3075]

I’m really trying to be a one boat at a time guy. You are not helping. 😂🤣 Do you ever have a hard time finding a spot to camp? Seemed pretty busy in parts of St Regis this year. We have only been day trippers so far.

[@mrgjoe]

I have not had a difficult time finding a place to camp. To be honest I really have no interest in camping during the summer months when all the crowds are around. I usually like to go before school gets out for the summer or after school does back 1st week in September.

[@bradvoogel]

I have 2 Northstar boats. Great team of people to work with too.

[@mrgjoe]

I ordered through a local outfitter but I did speak with Bear briefly about it, I love the boat.

[@TheOutdoorSeeker]

Looks nice. Canoe and scenery. Would you consider adding a foot-brace or is that just something you don't like?

[@mrgjoe]

Absolutely plan on adding a foot bar come spring. Thank you for taking the time to watch, I greatly appreciate it.

[@gasharp162]

This video came out great it was a fun time

[@mrgjoe]

Yeah I could not agree more on the fun times and thank you so much for watching Gary Sharp!

[@vicselixir]

Is your seat mounted in the combi or seated height? I have a NW solo with the kneeling height and love it.

[@mrgjoe]

My seat is set up for sitting. I have some knee issues so kneeling right now is painful. Most likely will have to have surgery in the near future but hoping I can kneel again at some point.

[@vicselixir]

@@mrgjoe Northstar sells an awesome kneeling cushion I love, but sitting is good too. I have to switch back an forth. You look comfortable in the sitting position which made me wonder if I should try it.

[@mrgjoe]

@@vicselixir I have a really nice pad and I love kneeling especially in my Hemlock Peregrine. But for right now it just really bothers me.

[@ianbruce6515]

Hmm. I love my Northwind Northstar solo--but I don't like paddling on both sides of the canoe like you do. I'm accustomed to going straight when soloing a tandem canoe-- and turning right when paddling on the right. The Northstar makes me feel like a beginer all over again. I like to correct with subtle twists of the paddle. I don't like using my paddle as a rudder. I don't like using an obvious J-stroke--never mind a Gooney stroke! I don't like prying off my gunnel either. Right now, I'm mostly using a double bladed paddle--until such time as I get the hang of this boat with a single bladed paddle. On KZbin--everyone is switch paddling with this boat. This Is not to my taste! Perhaps when the water warms I will master leaning this boat radically. Maybe that will make the difference. I'm beginning to get an inkling of how this boat should be paddled. A long way to go yet!

[@VK-vm4xe]

Great footage! Which camera you are using?

[@mrgjoe]

Thank you for watching! I use a DJI Osmo Action. It is very comparable to the GoPro and costs a lot less. I'm referencing the GoPro Hero 8 &9 as I never have used the new 10 model.

[@TheMadIndian]

So do you like it better than either of the Boreas?

[@mrgjoe]

Right now it is my go to boat I just love everything about it.

[@AnimusZen]

So... WHY was this the "best solo canoe"? Where do you discuss your "thoughts"? This was just you and Hippie Santa paddling around.

[@patnichols6411]

Just subscribed!! Do not get left behind - Promo'SM !!

[@martycuff257]

I thought I recognized that beaver dam...

[@mrgjoe]

I knew you would!

[@cdesfusa]

HOW anyone could permanently decimate their skin with vulgar tattoos is beyond me

[@mrgjoe]

I appreciate the comment, thank you.