I was looking for "before pictures" but I am striking out. Rest assured you weren't missing much. Last October my truck died on the side of 35 just north of the cities-en route to the BWCA. It was a '94 Teal Ranger and my Alumacraft Voyageur 17' was strapped on top. Fortunately my friends were following me and saw the cloud of smoke and heard the rev when my rear main seal blew and burned out the clutch. We loaded my canoe onto their car and had the truck towed back to town. We still had a great trip! We spent half the trip talking about what kind of vehicle I should get to replace the Ranger (knowing that the repair would run >$1K, more than the value of the vehicle). About two weeks later I found my new car a used Toyota Matrix.

I have been wanting to upgrade my boat for awhile now. I've always wanted to get something to paddle solo but at the same time I wanted to upgrade my tandem boat which is how I spend most of my paddling time. I picked up that old CJ solo but my girlfriend wasn't going to allow 2 new boats into the garage. Pretty sure another member here is gonna take it off my hands. Then I found my new ride...

Bell Northstar in Black Gold Layup and wood trim (from PortageKeeper who was wanting to upgrade to Kevlight)

I'm psyched!
tg

That is awsome. I love it when a plan comes together!

congrats tg!

thats a couple generation upgrade!! Nice ride!

Sweet.

It is awesome when it just falls into place.
Congratulations,
Boppa

Love the new setup!

YA!!!...sweet ride!

thanks guys! i'm super excited!

walk it off....

Congrats, tg

I just upgraded to the same make and model. It feels good to have a Bell Northstar in black gold and wood trim hanging in the garage. I can't wait to take her out next weekend.

C

jan-lol

looks like a matched set--wheels and keels..

That's one sweet canoe, congratulations! We also have something in common - we both own one of PortageKeeper's old canoes.

nice did you get his q17?

Beautimous!

Yep, the SR Q17.

NICE! NICE! NICE!

WAHOO!!!
Congrats. It's beautiful when things come together!
Enjoy!!

Good find, on both accounts.

Nice job!

Sweet!

Nice find Rich,

You'll have to let me know how it paddles.

tg-sorry if you smell me in your new canoe. This is the ride that Joe and I used last May going through the ice and PMA of Nibin, Bibon, Sterling etc. It is a really nice canoe and well cared for. You may feel or smell my presence along with Joe's. Enjoy your new canoe.

:-)

Congrats on the new ride Rich...I'm feeling some pangs of sorrow that the truck is gone though...I was just telling my dad after you called, that you were going to have a boat that cost more than your vehicle...I'm gonna miss the Ranger.

Bogs-i was wondering what that smell was:) Seriously though it is in very nice shape. Looking forward to paddling it!

Jamie-that was always my joke-that my last 2 vehicles (the '94 Ranger and the '91 Geo Prism) were worth less than my aluminum canoe:) I think that canoe has appreciated in value actually! The Ranger served me well and I already miss aspects of it. But the Matrix is pretty comfy and fun and I think it will be plenty versatile and work well for my BWCA demands (you would know since you have a Vibe right?

tg

beautiful!!!!

beautiful!!!! I think I just shed a tear!

They are a thing af beauty.

Nice boat.

Magic-is that your ride? Curious what yours weighs.

Thanks again TG, and thanks again to Uncle Moose!
Yesterday, I drove away from Spring Creek with my Jeep wearing a new Northstar, Kev-lite (blem) for a bonnet. I now mostly have what I originally wanted and am satisfied. I'll try it out on the portage clearing trip, if I 'tandem up' with somebody. I have to admitt though, that if they'd had a Northwind in stock, I would likely have bought that instead. They don't get new blems in 'til fall again. Can't wait that long.
Oh, and that smell of wet Bog's... you won't get rid of it! Sorry! Keep the canoe close enough to the fire when in camp and the smoke spirits might carry some of it away :) See you on the trip TG!

thank you PK! that was a good deal on the kevlight blem! curious to see what the "blemish" is.

rich

Tg
That is my tandem. I bought it used but it was like new. Those pictures were taken on the day I picked it up. I don’t use those paddles. I don’t know the exact weight but it is a black and gold so it is not the lightest and I have added a fish detector with batteries so that adds a couple of pounds. It has been on a Quetico trip so it has some scratches now nothing deep. It is still a beautiful boat.
MagicPaddler