A Bell Northstar by DL Design just came up on Craigslist in the next town over from me. I live in Ohio and have never seen one on CL around here.

What is DL design?? Is the Northstar 17 feet long? Any other info, it is priced at $2100, is that a good deal? Any help is appreciated. From the photo the hull looks to be in really good shape, it is red so I assume it is a jellcoat.

Not sure of the layup, I emailed the seller.

Probably a DY design. Ted and David Yost did some design work earlier on. Northstar comes in different lengths, lots of variables in layup, etc. If in good shape the price is about right because of demand, but I would be ready to negotiate down. Some of the older boats can be had for $1500 and even less and have lots of use left. Check closely for aging and possible damage due to use or poor maintenance/care.
Others can give much better input, but a start.
Nice boats.

Some have called it the finest touring tandem ever made. I'm one of them but I'm biased - I also own one. Certainly it is the finest touring tandem I've ever paddled and I've paddled a few. It is 16'-8" by the way and yes, DY stands for David Yost who along with John Winters is probably the most highly regarded canoe designer over the last 50 years. As for the value, it kind of depends on the lay up, when it was built and its condition. I paid a little over 3 thousand for mine (black gold lay up) back in 2010, which was the last year of production before Ted Bell started up again more recently (the specs on the more recent incarnation are slightly different than the original.) I doubt you'll find many of these up for sale but I could be wrong. $2100.00 seems a bit pricey but would still be a good deal if it is in very fine condition, which is to say surface scratches but otherwise undamaged and having been stored indoors etc. The canoe itself is a real gem in its balance between speed, tracking and manoeuvrability. If the condition is there, grab it.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/5628071904.html

Here is the ad. The hull looks practially unused. It is a kevlar layup, I missed that in the post initially. Other thoughts?

quote Koz: "http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/5628071904.html

Here is the ad. The hull looks practially unused. It is a kevlar layup, I missed that in the post initially. Other thoughts?"

Link
The ad says DL - not DY? What is with that?

Do all Northstars have that seam running down the center of the hull? Or am I seeing an optical illusion?

quote Grandma L: "

quote Koz: "http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/5628071904.html


Here is the ad. The hull looks practially unused. It is a kevlar layup, I missed that in the post initially. Other thoughts?"

Link
The ad says DL - not DY? What is with that? "

I know it, probably a typo.

quote mirth: "Do all Northstars have that seam running down the center of the hull? Or am I seeing an optical illusion?"

Any hull with moderate tumblehome is going to have a seam somewhere, 2 part molds are a must. The tumblehome creates an undercut. I know for an added fee Bell would grind the seam down and polish it in making it almost invisible, but most did not have this option.

quote mirth: "Do all Northstars have that seam running down the center of the hull? Or am I seeing an optical illusion?"

Yes they do.

I wasn't aware that Northstars came in red. Has this canoe been refinished?

I've seen a couple of other red Northstars sold on here by members of the forum.

quote KerryG: "I wasn't aware that Northstars came in red. Has this canoe been refinished?"

You could order a number of gel coat colors, one of which was red.

quote jhb8426: "

quote KerryG: "I wasn't aware that Northstars came in red. Has this canoe been refinished?"

You could order a number of gel coat colors, one of which was red."

Live and learn.

I have this solo canoe and I have been trying to figure out the make and model. Your post about the Bell Northstar and the picture in the ad got me thinking. The foam reinforcement in the bottom is similar. I wonder if it is an old Bell design. (The inside is still pretty dirty)

quote Ragged: "

quote mirth: "Do all Northstars have that seam running down the center of the hull? Or am I seeing an optical illusion?"

Any hull with moderate tumblehome is going to have a seam somewhere, 2 part molds are a must. The tumblehome creates an undercut. I know for an added fee Bell would grind the seam down and polish it in making it almost invisible, but most did not have this option."

I hadn't thought about the tumblehome. Makes perfect sense. Thanks!