For those that have paddled both Northwind 17 (17'6") and SR17
How do they compare? tracking/handling, build quality, etc...
I've paddled a SR quetico (18'),but not the SR17 so that's my only point of reference.

zski,
Can't comment on any of that, but while your in Atikokan, you should take a tour of the SR plant and check them out.

Won't answer the track/handling, but the build quality is something you can see firsthand.
I've abused that Q 16 I rent thru Dave not intentionally but due to conditions.
IF there's a tougher canoe out in the same price range, I'd like to hear about it.

I have not paddled the Bell but I own 3 Souris Rivers a Q16 setup for solo,Q17 and a Wilderness 18. The Q17 it is the canoe the wife and I paddle. She has a arm the size of a broom handle so it is more like I am paddling solo with my sweety up front.  The Q17 is a very manageable canoe and it will haul everything you need for 7-10 on the water.

I am picking up a Bell Northwind 17'6" from Seagull Outfitters for a friend this friday and taking it up to Kawnipi for eight nights. I'll give you a report on it's handling.  I have a Mad River Northwoods also 17'6" in a kevlar layup that I have had for 21 years.  This will be my immediate comparison.  I have paddled the Souris river 18'6" with three in the canoe and a labrador.  It handled quite well. I've had my eye on the Bell Northwoods for a few years now.
Marc

Thanks for the helpful inputs on this guys. Fallguy that's quite a collection. Will the next one be a Q15 or Q19?  :)

I am looking for a Wenonah Advantage for a work out canoe and to do some citizen class racing. ;)

I don't have much experience with SR canoes except for one trip where I rented one.  I was pleased - tracked well with good speed. Harlan at Red Lake Outfitters has alway featured them and that says something to me as well.  I haven't paddled a Northwind.  I have, however, been paddling a Bell Northstar, the Northwind's slightly smaller (16-8) sister, for many years.  It is probably the best flat water tandem that I've personally ever paddled.  I like David Yost's distinctive tumblehome designs, they make it easier to get your paddle over the gunnel without having to reach quite so much (although in rough water they will ship more than conventional designs like the Swift Kipawa.)  You may find them tippy when you first get in but the secondary stability is second to none especially when loaded,  they track beautifully and are fast.  I've had mine out in some pretty hairy wind and surf and felt secure - very, what Yost calls,  "sea kindly."  In a group, paddling skills being equal, the Northstar/Northwind won't be left behind by any canoe out there.  By the way, are you looking at a used Bell canoe or Ted's latest incarnation - Northstar Canoes?  I'm not sure if the The Northwinds in his new line are identical to the original Bells because the ads say they are "based on" the old designs.  That's probably because he sold the rights to the original moulds and had to make slight modifications for legal reasons. And by the way, the Swift Keewaydin, also a Yost design, is almost identical to the old Bell Northwind and might be considered as a reasonable alternative to the Northwind if it is more available.

Kerry,
secondary stability and 'sea kindly' trumps primary stability any day so that's good to know. I've been eying the used northwinds from the piragis site for a couple years now. it seems they cycle them pretty frequently so shouldn't take long before the new northstars start showing up on the list. maybe worth the wait. Didn't know the Swift Kipawa Keewaydin 17 was similar and a DY design. There's a nice little video on their site with DY talking about the boat and the rational for how he set up the rocker, etc. good stuff.

Actually the Kipawa is a John Winter not a DY design and though they are similar in terms of design purpose they are, nonetheless, distinctly different.  Some say the Northstar was designed with the Boundary Waters in mind while the Kipawa was designed for Algonquin Park.  I don't know if that's really true but you do see a lot of Kipawas in Algonquin and a lot of Northstars in Boudary Waters.  However DY did design the Keewaydin 17 for Swift and it is very similar to the Northstar/Northwind in all respects.
  (You need to Login or Register

I said Kipawa when was thinking Keewayden. Multi-multi-tasking...
even watched the keewayden vid. not sure how that happened. thanks for the correction

In terms of the design, the Yost drawn Bells/northStars will exhibit more speed, better tracking and more sea kindlyness.   He's simply the very best designer of recreational boats.  Differential and stepped rocker and subtle chine shaping yield a more nuanced hull.

Build quality needs more consideration.  NorthStars are infused with VE resin, using two to three layers with multiple partials and foam cores to minimize weight.  SR's seem are hand laid with epoxy resin and are four layer hulls. 

The Bell/NS is the more sophisticated build, but the heavier SR will take more beating.      

Thanks for the extra detail and insight Charlie. From the description, Bell(NS) is the boat. I've tried the SR18 and SR17 now. At 6'4" my son much prefers the extra bow space the SR18 provides. We'll now have to see how the 18'9" and 17'6" Northwinds compare in that regard. Hope the 17 is sufficient.