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New (for me) Bell Northwoods...

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amhacker22@hotmail.com

03/12/2010 02:53PM

I'm psyched.

I checked Craigslist early this morning and someone had just posted a Bell Northwoods for $399. He posted it at 5:00am, I saw it at 6:00am. I violated basic phone ettiquette and called him right away. I figured he must be up b/c he had just posted this an hour ago. I feel bad about my poor ettiquette, but I'm glad I did it! I'm the proud new owner of a blue Bell Northwoods! I had to match another guys offer of $450, but I still think I got a great deal.

I'm not sure of the materials. He listed it as "White Gold" with mahogany trim. I'm assuming he meant "Black Gold," but I think it looks more like KevLight based on experience and the images on Bell's website. I'll post some photos when I get home and see what you all think. Its 11 years old, so it kind of depends on how Bell's use of materials has evolved. I'm also not sure of the trim material. It looks like the walnut you frequenty see on Bells, but I'm certainly not an expert.

Overall its in great shape. I'd give it an 7.5 out of 10. There are some surface scratches on the hull, but I've seen a whole lot worse. There is one decent chip out of the gelcoat on the stem, but I plan on putting skidplates on anyway. There are also a few spots where he made some repairs, but he did a pretty good job.

I'll post some photos when I get home, but I felt like I had to share. Craigslist is awesome.

-Nick

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mwd1976

03/12/2010 03:28PM

Congrats!

No matter the layup, it's a steal. It could be a whitegold layup, Bell did that layup for awhile around 2000. I have a 2000 whitegold yellowstone. It's a combo of kevlar and glass. If you weigh it it'll probably be about 60 lbs in whitegold, or about 50lb if it's one of the other layups.

Nice work!

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children -Chief Seattle

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kanoes

03/12/2010 03:33PM

congrats! looking forward to seeing some pics.

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg)

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snakecharmer

03/12/2010 04:15PM

Sounds like a great deal. I agree...Craigslist is awesome! You just gotta be ready to pounce.

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after"
~ Henry David Thoreau

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tbeste

Guest Paddler

03/12/2010 04:22PM

I saw it at 5:45 and was going to call but decided it was too early, even though he posted it at 5. That and the fact I my order of Kevlar, s-glass, and epoxy to go on the form I am currently building showed up via UPS this morning...

Awesome Score to say the least! I was also thinking that he meant to type $1399 as the priced seemed a little low.

I wish I would have called when I first saw it!!!

Have fun with it and good paddling.

Travis

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moose plums

03/12/2010 04:46PM

Congrats! That sounds like a great deal, can't wait to see the photos.
I have a Northwoods, and like it. I thought I got a good deal, but I may be beat.

"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"

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amhacker22@hotmail.com

03/12/2010 07:40PM

Photos: There will be a few repairs to make. Some gelcoat chips that have been kind of repaired. There are plenty of scratches, but none are very deep. The stem damage is the worst, but I'm going to get skid plates which will cover it up as well as the majority of the gelcoat chips/repairs. I'm anxious to get started!

Hull Scratches: they show up well, but they're not too deep.

Old Repairs:

Stem Damage:

Side View:

Interior:

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ozarkpaddler

03/12/2010 07:41PM

WOW, what a deal. Whitegold was one of Bell's layups when they were still in MN. As I recall, it was a combination of 'glass and kevlar with a gelcoat. It was a bit heavier than Blackgold, I believe a bit stronger. Almost bought an almond colored whitegold Northwoods from Carl & John's a couple years ago. I still kick myself for passing up that deal. Congrats on your new ride! TW

"Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." Mark Twain

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kanoes

03/12/2010 07:48PM

you got a great deal. the interior "hex" looks new...whats the story on that?

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg)

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Cedarboy

03/12/2010 07:49PM

Congrats, I saw the add and was sure I had missed it, now I know I had. Yes it is a White Gold Bell Northwoods. These were a combination of gel coat, then glass, then kevlar and foam core on the inside. that is why you see the kevlar with the painted foam core. Looks like it will need some skid plates from the pics,greta shape otherwise.
CB

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cowdoc

03/12/2010 08:03PM

SWEET! That will clean up nice.

"What could happen?"

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