QuietJourney Forums - 18.6 vs 17.4

Apr 18^th, 2026 at 6:06am (UTC)

QuietJourney Forums › Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums › General Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion › 18.6 vs 17.4

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18.6 vs 17.4 (Read 2229 times)

Puckster Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1208 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Joined: Feb 10^th, 2009	18.6 vs 17.4 Mar 25^th, 2011 at 5:59pm	Quote Print Post
	I just bought a Bell Northwoods, 18'6". Until now, I've always paddled 17' canoes. Are longer canoes inherently more stable? prouboy


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Kerry Inukshuk Offline Posts: 427 Location: Toronto Joined: May 13^th, 2010	Re: 18.6 vs 17.4 Reply #1 - Mar 25^th, 2011 at 7:26pm	Quote Print Post
	All the canoes in the Bell Northstar-Northwind-Northwoods line have tremendous secondary stability (stability when the canoe is in motion) so, comparing apples to apples, that is the Northstar (16-6) to the Northwoods (18-6), I don't think you'd find much difference in stability. The bigger canoe will undoubtedly be a hair slower due to the load you'll be carrying (although the hull speed is actually higher) but, given its added length, should track a little better. Congratulations on your new canoe. If you haven't paddled a Bell before, you're going to love it. Hang on to it, those Bells are getting rarer as we speak!
	« Last Edit: Mar 25^th, 2011 at 9:02pm by Kerry »

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Solus Inukshuk Offline Posts: 967 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Oct 6^th, 2006	Re: 18.6 vs 17.4 Reply #2 - Mar 26^th, 2011 at 1:01am	Quote Print Post
	If you have two hulls of similar design/shape the longer hull will generally be faster and track straighter. The Northwoods is a sweet tripping hull - moves well, can carry a load and handle difficult conditions. Nice find!


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Puckster Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1208 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota Joined: Feb 10^th, 2009	Re: 18.6 vs 17.4 Reply #3 - Mar 27^th, 2011 at 2:52am	Quote Print Post
	Thanks Solus. Years ago I sold a Northwind black gold as it weighed 59 pounds. But I've missed the Bell. Now I'm back in the fold!


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