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.

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.

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

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.

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 to view media files and links)