Bell Starfire

[Tsuga8]

The lack of moderation on paddling.com, formerly paddling.net, is very sad. But among the ads for who-knows-what nonsense, there are still some good boats to be spotted.

I'm very tempted by this one due to its rarity, but I think it's too duplicative of what I already have (Phoenix, Morningstar, Souhegan). Hopefully it finds a good home! (Obviously, not my listing. )

Bell Canoe Works Black Starfire 15’

Very good condition Bell Star Fire black kevlar canoe. Original owner. Purchased new in approx 1994. Gunnels need refinishing, one cane seat has some damage to the cane.

paddling.com

 

[gumpus]

You should be tempted by the way it paddles. Don't worry, it's not too duplicative.

 

[tketcham]

The Starfire is a popular tandem Freestyle canoe for a reason.

 

[Tsuga8]

Y'all are terrible enablers.

Despite my attendance at a freestyle workshop or two, I don't actually aspire to freestyle paddling, beyond 'functional freestyle' ie useful strokes in real-world applications. And, it seems like the Starfire's acolytes are mostly freestylers.

 

[stevet]

It’s just a great compact tandem. Comfortable yet playful if you want to be.

 

[ABT]

Y'all are terrible enablers.

Despite my attendance at a freestyle workshop or two, I don't actually aspire to freestyle paddling, beyond 'functional freestyle' ie useful strokes in real-world applications. And, it seems like the Starfire's acolytes are mostly freestylers.

I may take freestyle class or two with it, but the one I recently got will primarily be a river runner and should be great for it. Super fun boat. There’s a Swift video on YouTube about one they built for a guy that puts float bags in his and uses it for everything from white water to salt water if I recall, and he had just worn his previous one out.

Oh, I found it:

As far as enabling, I would think it would fit nicely between your Phoenix and Morningstar…

 

[eckilson]

A buddy of mine has a Starfire (at least I think it is a Starfire), but it is a solo and royalex - good tripping or "big-boy" boat.

https://flic.kr/p/2qNpis8

 

[Tsuga8]

As far as enabling, I would think it would fit nicely between your Phoenix and Morningstar…

@eckilson I'm sure it'd be a great river boat too with that rocker. I'd eyed one up as a solo pole-and-paddle boat at one point.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

A buddy of mine has a Starfire (at least I think it is a Starfire), but it is a solo and royalex - good tripping or "big-boy" boat.

I've never heard of a Royalex Starfire, which isn't gospel. They were made by Bell, Placid, Colden and now Swift, but all I ever encountered were composite builds.

I can't download to upload your photos, Erik, but (linking) notice how much more freeboard the Hemlock SRT has than the maybe-Starfire. An actual Starfire would probably be more turnable than an SRT, but it would be wetter and slower.

https://flic.kr/p/2qNpiuh

 

[eckilson]

notice how much more freeboard the Hemlock SRT has than the maybe-Starfire. An actual Starfire would probably be more turnable than an SRT, but it would be wetter and slower.

It’s tough to find anything on a Bell Starfire – at least as a solo. When you do find something, it is usually about the Starfire as a short tandem freestyle boat. Don’t know where my buddy found this boat, and I’ll have to take a closer look next time he takes it out. From what I could find, here are the spec’s:

	SRT​	Starfire​
Length	15'​	15"​
Width	26"​	30"​
Depth	14.5"​	13.5​
Rocker	2.5/"1.5"​	3"​

The SRT is deeper, and it is a lot narrower than the Starfire. In the picture above, the guy in the Starfire is a lot heavier that the guy in the SRT – that may exaggerate the difference in freeboard. The Starfire does have more rocker – especially in the stern, which should make it more maneuverable. That would make sense if it was being used as a freestyle boat.

As a solo, the Starfire does look like a longer, wider Yellowstone Solo.

 

[ABT]

It’s tough to find anything on a Bell Starfire – at least as a solo. When you do find something, it is usually about the Starfire as a short tandem freestyle boat. Don’t know where my buddy found this boat, and I’ll have to take a closer look next time he takes it out. From what I could find, here are the spec’s:

	SRT​	Starfire​
Length	15'​	15"​
Width	26"​	30"​
Depth	14.5"​	13.5​
Rocker	2.5/"1.5"​	3"​

The SRT is deeper, and it is a lot narrower than the Starfire. In the picture above, the guy in the Starfire is a lot heavier that the guy in the SRT – that may exaggerate the difference in freeboard. The Starfire does have more rocker – especially in the stern, which should make it more maneuverable. That would make sense if it was being used as a freestyle boat.

As a solo, the Starfire does look like a longer, wider Yellowstone Solo.

I could be wrong but the photo looks more like a Morningstar set up solo or a Rockstar. The other “head on” pic looks narrow so leaning more Rockstar. The stems also look more angled, and it looks a touch longer than the Star to my eye as well.

I think the attached Starfire info is from when Placid made the Starfire although it might be from Colden. Also included the Rockstar specs for comparison.

 

[eckilson]

I could be wrong but the photo looks more like a Morningstar set up solo or a Rockstar. The other “head on” pic looks narrow so leaning more Rockstar. The stems also look more angled, and it looks a touch longer than the Star to my eye as well.

I think the attached Starfire info is from when Placid made the Starfire although it might be from Colden. Also included the Rockstar specs for comparison.

You're right - it must be a Rockstar. I'll ask him.