You're welcome. Guess we missed an opportunity to break it in for you.

Was thinking of getting that combo myself. I used to have an early Black gold Bell Magic and loved that but moved to an area with lots of rivers with seasonal rapids that flow into large lakes. I lost the magic and a Necky Kayak in a tornado so been without a canoe for a few years recovering from that. Don't want to give up too much efficiency but need a tougher boat with more rocker, but not too much as I have the skills to turn and don't want give up too much tracking,, for river travel. Not an expert but experienced, maybe a little rusty. The magic really spoiled me Is your application similar? I tried a Merlin when I bought the magic but of course the magic won that time and I weigh a bit more than I did then, I'm 6'6", 240#

Virtual Canoecopia is this weekend if you need some motivation. ;-)

IXP is a co-weave of Innegra and Basalt. Innegra has the fascinating properties, so we've chosen not to highlight the Basalt. The fairy dust is added to the resin to give it the greater flex that IXP allows.

At least 15 layers. No flex in either foam cored or solid cored. We have a dealer near Savannah, so pretty close to FL.

Has the number of layers changed over time, I read in a 2014 blog that the solos had 9 layers of Innegra and one of aramid.. Of course this "info" didn't come directly from Northstar so it could be misinformation. Just wondering what the composition of used canoes might be if different from newer ones. Are the layers different depending on the model?

Missed your messages, sorry for the delay in responding. I'm afraid it' not possible to change a StarLite hull into an IXP. Best option is to sell the StarLite, if you're committed to running rivers, and buy an IXP.

IXP is the same price as StarLite. MSRPs are listed on the website here: northstarcanoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Compare-w-pricing-4-20-22-1.pdf Like everything in this wacky economic environment, subject to change without notice.

We can put a Ruby or Emerald outer layer on either an IXP or a StarLite (not a BlackLite). We don't promote it, because we feel like it's only a good choice for photographers. Ruby and Emerald are polyester cloth, which adds color, but doesn't add strength or abrasion resistance. Thus for a $150 upcharge you've essentially added 4-8lbs to the canoe for no functional benefit. It's just like gel coat, no good reason to add it. In short, we spend a ton of effort working to keep the weights low (even on IXP), and so adding a bunch of lbs back just to make a pretty color seems foolish. As to the gray of IXP - you'd be surprised, it does grow on you - the pattern is a more complex than you initially think. Internal skids are kevlar felt which has better abrasion resistance than woven kevlar.

@@northstarcanoes2404 makes sense, wouldn't want to sacrifice utility for cosmetics, like a relationship with a good woman it might look better over time because it just works better . I guess I was thinking it was more a matter of simply adding pigment to the resin Anyway I signed up on a waiting list for an IXP Phoenix, seems like I might have to take what I can get within those parameters though I would have liked to get some extras like skid plates, wood trim, etc but apparently there's a long waiting list Thanks for the input, heard you were a great guy from the people at Miami Outfitters

We wrapped one on Ledge Rapid on the San Juan in Utah. After replacing thwarts with sticks and lashing those in, it was paddled for another 5 days. We brought it home, put new rails on it, did a few patches for reinforcements, and sold it.

@@northstarcanoes2404 Epic story! Saw a Eoyalex with foot long gash in the center once. We cut a food barrel in half , and glued it over with 5 minute epoxy.( Always have some in my kit now) Sewed it with snare wire through holes punctured using a hot nail..I doubt the guy sold it afterwards.... 🤣 At that point the main thing is that it can still float you to safety...:-)