Northstar Firebird vs Bell Flashfire Solo Canoe

Рет қаралды 6,330

Күн бұрын

Solo canoe playoff of the Northstar Firebird vs Bell Canoe Works Flashfire. Really just been wanting to paddle these two side by side in the same day. I was a Bell Canoe Rep from 2000 to a year after they were sold to ORC Industries. This Flashfire is from the original ownership crew.
This water was cold! So, I’m geared up under the street outer layers for immersion.
#canoe #solocanoe #canoeing #paddle #oregon
Gear List:
Bending Branches Sunburst ST 58”
Stohlquist 2022 Rocker PFD L/XL
Northstar Kneeling Pad (older version)
Cooke Custom Sewing Padded seat w Saddlebags:
happypaddlin.square.site/prod...
CG Habitats Pants
Stohlquist Rapid John 3mm suit
Stohlquist Coreheater 2mm Shirt
Happy Paddlin 20L Drybag:
happypaddlin.square.site/prod...
HP 12’ Pro Straps
happypaddlin.square.site/prod...

Пікірлер: 18

@HeadwatersKayak 2 жыл бұрын

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

@rickquist3992 2 жыл бұрын

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

@martincuff154 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@ToolEnvy 2 жыл бұрын

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. :)

@jimfromoregonusa9899 2 жыл бұрын

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

@Fishaholicboy 2 жыл бұрын

Really love seeing what you can do with a canoe

@robertlee6949 Ай бұрын

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

@jean-marcchabot5428 2 жыл бұрын

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

@davidboedy9622 Жыл бұрын

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

@bradburden8915 2 жыл бұрын

Love that Firebird!

@brianmulherin4535 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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.

@NikonF5user Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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.

@davidstill1256 2 жыл бұрын

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 2 жыл бұрын

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.