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Northstar or Bell Seliga- Does anyone have experience with one?

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I'm in the market for a new light weight tandem. I was looking at the Nova Craft P16 or Pal but am also interested in the Seliga. I haven't heard much about them. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.
 
Don't know about the Bell or Northstar canoes, but Joe Seliga (1911-2005) was a famous canoe builder in Ely, Minnesota, between 1938 until his death at age 94. He was inspired by his family's two B.N. Morris canoes. Here is an article about him:

 
Thanks for posting that Glenn, I had forgotten about his connection to the Morris canoe.

Besides liking the specs and lines of the boat I also place value on its' history being connected to Joe and his reputation.
 
Al, what are you looking for in a canoe? I have about a jillion miles of tripping in my old Kev Spec Nova Craft Pal. If you have any questions about how it paddles in different conditions let me know.

Bob.
 
Thanks Bob, I'm looking for something big enough for tandem tripping with up to about 500 lbs. capacity. I also want to use it for solo use, but don't mind a large boat, just a heavy one.

I'm pretty familiar with the Pals capabilities and Nova Craft in general from watching U tube videos, It is the Seliga and Northstar boats that I am unfamiliar with.

I had always been intrigued by the Seliga but recently have been thinking about the Nova Craft boats. Now that I am getting closer to making a purchase I'm leaning more towards the Seliga again.
 
We are considering a Northstar Polaris, it is a little trimmer/faster, and slightly less rocker which should allow it to track better in windy conditions when crossing open water.
I purchased a NS Trillium pack this spring and it is a very nice canoe.
 
Gotcha Al.

I have never paddled a Seliga but have never heard a disparaging word. If you ever have any questions about the Pal, just email me. Best of luck, it is always fun finding the next boat to take you to those magical places we dream of. 👍

Bob.
 
A large volume hull … I would say no. It is 16 foot for one. Most serious tandem trippers are 17 or a little better. I think the capacity is listed around 800 pounds, maybe a bit more. For most folks that is a good amount, BUT most folks like a little more and want more Space to put their gear. I think the Pal is a terrific canoe … but I am 6 ‘2 and 225 to 230. With myself, my dog and my kit I have 400 pounds give or take. The canoe at that weight is still pretty lively. It paddles well and maneuvers SO easily. I think if I had another adult and gear the canoe might start to feel a little loggy with a multi day tripping load…and likely feel a bit cramped for pack space. The Seliga is longer and wider, likely a better tandem tripper, but not as nifty as a tandem/solo back country explorer ( my opinion only ).

I used my Pal as a day paddler for my wife and I, a back water explorer for my dogs and I on the often flooded Wisconsin River bottoms, and like mentioned previously a dedicated solo for multi day trips in the boreal. My longest trip was in this boat, 32 days in WCPP.

If your primary mission is for tandem explorations the Seliga sounds like it may be a better option for you.
 
Maybe to put it another way, I wonder how the NC Pal compares to the NC Prospector 16 for hull displacement. How much of the 200lb of extra capacity of the Prospector is due to it having a fuller hull, rather than just having a higher capacity rating because of the 2 inches of added depth.

Nova Craft says the Pal is 34 inches wide. I assume that's gunnel width, so the maximum width might be wider. I like the stability and seaworthyness of larger hulls. I just want to reduce the depth to save weight and lower wind resistance.

I am leaning more towards the Seliga. Partly because of that extra foot of length, even though the Pal has a lower sheer line. The Seliga is also lighter, and that is a higher priority than a low sheer line.
 
There are so many different canoes that have adopted the "Pal" and "Prospector" names that it's almost meaningless. Originally, the Chestnut Pal was a pleasure canoe mainly for lakes, whereas the Prospector was more of a rockered gear load canoe for rivers and lakes and which became the more favored choice among whitewater play paddlers. Today, you really have to study the specs or personally try canoes that bear these names because there are so many differences. Northstar has Prospector-like canoes but calls them its "B" series.

At the risk of adding unnecessary alternatives to your decision, Al, you may want to look at H2O and Savage River if you are interested in lightweight tandem canoes. Mark Z, a member here with many wood canoes, has an H2O tandem he likes but I don't recall which model.
 
Thanks Glenn, there's some nice boats offered by those companies that could fit the bill. The Savage River boats have impressive specs but don't have recurved stems. Not that it is a big deal, but for me when spending big bucks on something I want to really like the look. H2O offers boats that could be perfect but there are no dealers in my area.

I did find an unused Bell Seliga built in 2012. The owner bought it as a spare when Bell went under, but now that they are available again they don't need to keep it. It's 800.00 less than a new one and only a few hour drive away and they will hold it for me, so I think my decision has been made.
 
Al,

i have owned a Royalex Nova Craft Prospector 16. It had a much flatter bottom than a true Prospector, maybe because of the material, perhaps modern composites are shaped better? I thought it was steady but real slow. Larger paddling stations, significantly more volume than the Pal. I believe my Kev Spec Pal is much nicer to paddle … especially solo. If you are serious about soloing that Prospector, you need to have a serious paddling skill set if you want to trip with her.

Sounds like the Seliga is nearly a done deal, good volume, lighter weight, excellent shape and available. I hope if you pull the pin and get the canoe, you have many awesome trips with it. 🛶

Bob.
 
Thanks Bob, those Nova Craft boats sure look nice, and if the Pal had a similar displacement as my 16'6" Malicite it would have worked for me. The Seliga is a safer bet, among other things.
 
I did find an unused Bell Seliga built in 2012. The owner bought it as a spare when Bell went under, but now that they are available again they don't need to keep it. It's 800.00 less than a new one and only a few hour drive away and they will hold it for me, so I think my decision has been made.

Sounds like a good choice. Lots of various Pals out there. A composite Seliga, based on the original, is a rarer jewel. Posts on the BWCA forum say it's very stable and good for fishing.
 
Congratulations, it looks great! My wife and I are thinking about replacing our old Bell Northwind with a Northstar Seliga. My only concern has been my wish to occasionally use it solo for day trips. I'd love to hear how it works for you when you use it solo.
 
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