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Love mine. I’ve found a lot of mixed reviews for the Rx hull, and testing some friends, I found differences in primary stability that probably can be attributed to thwart width. For safety and structural integrity you might consider a new thwart rather than trying to rehab that rot.

I keep royalex for the shallow days and anticipated rocky stuff. My ‘89 dagger reflection 15 is redundant to the Morningstar in ballpark hull specs but it weighs 65+lbs and oil cans a bit. but nothing like the handful of wenonah royalex boats I’ve paddled.

IIRC, somewhere it’s been written something like this: Bell northwoods > cut down to make Northwind mold > cut down to make Morningstar mold > stretched out to make royalex northwind mold. I’ve seen white gold layups be pretty durable to non abuse regular type uses. my Morningstar is set up to...

I added one to my Spanish fly, after holding out for a few years. With thr LiFePo battery that lasts a weekend, it’s only 3lb for the whole kit. It’s great for play boating. It also allows me to be safer in situations like you just described. I don’t love the aesthetic of the pump. I am...

More Cannon River. Hemlock cruiser paddle by Cricket Designs.

Got out yesterday on the Cannon River in southeastern Minnesota

I got on his list the last time it was open, which was a short window. If I remember correctly, the wait was more than two but less than three years.

Yes it is, good eye.

An early ice out in southern Minnesota

I always prefer the wildfire after swapping from the YS. That said, I haven’t found a general purpose royalex solo with symmetrical rocker and hull design that I prefer over the YS. Been wanting to try the Mohawk Odyssey 14. And the Esquif Echo.

More than I need but I have space and have worked hard to try many and to find good examples of the boats I love… Three solos for whitewater, all in the hard chine Frankie Hubbard design/tradition: a blackfly octane 85 that I’m excited to get to know, in PE; a mohawk viper 12 in royalex, which...

Are paco pads comfortable? How comfortable? I’m intrigued for camping on rivers and in my van, with uneven/lumpy surfaces. I have used a thermarest guidelite for ever. In summer if conditions are no issue, I’ll put a thermareat ridge rest underneath. After a very cold October bwca trip a few...

my white gold Morningstar with wood trim and a third seat (no carry thwart) is 53# on my scale.

For cruising I have moved to a pretty short paddle. 32” shaft length is perfect for most cruising cases of mine. I like to keep the grip hand at about shoulder height. It just feels good. For ww I’ve moved to shorter too, though a little longer than for cruising. My preference varies with the...

MS mud that sounds great. In my late night reading I missed your original post about wood preference for shaft and grip. I have two friends with echo paddles. One is their creek stick and I have no idea how it has endured the steep creeking hardcore ww torture he puts it through. Another...

Good stroke this is awesome to hear. Werner’s composites and their dynel edge tech has come a long way. I think I’ve been reluctant to beat on mine since it wasn’t cheap and I have other paddles to beat on. I really love the journey paddle. It’s a smaller blade so an overall length that one...

If you were in minnesota you could try a pile of different ww paddles I own. my top suggestion is for you to grab a Werner bandit or bandito as they’re relatively affordable, widely available, and checks your boxes. I don’t think you’d regret having one. The spoon blade of a bandit paddle will...

Not my photos so not sure. I have some a friend built for me. 24” long feet, center posts are about 30” apart, inner to inner (not sure that width is needed and maybe overkill) they work great with all my boats, including a 18.5’ bell Northwoods. Does that answer your question?

Of course, done, thank you. Matt, I apologize for my unhelpful comments and sh*tty attitude here and there. It’s not my style and I regret. You have a great boat at a steal of a price. Someone will be lucky.