bell wildfire

[Glenn MacGrady]

I've never paddled a Phoenix, so I can't compare it to anything.

I have a 2001 Bell black-gold Bell Wildfire that I'm willing to sell to members here for $1200. I'd say it weighs 35 lbs. and is a very tough laminate: clear gel coat over carbon over a Kevlar interior with a Conk seat. I've day tripped, week tripped and done Freestyle in the Wildfire—on lakes, rivers and twisty creeks all over the eastern U.S. from the Adirondacks to Florida. I'm 5-9 and my weight ranges from 170 to 200 depending on whether my diet is working or not, and if I am advancing or retreating in age.

Age is the only reason I'm selling the Wildfire, one of my very favorite boats of the 22 I've owned. I bought last spring a 21.8 lb Savage River Illusion, which serves similar maneuverability purposes for me now as the Wildfire while being much lighter (and astronomically more expensive). I haven't yet put my Wildfire up on the Classifieds here for sale because I'm too lazy and also still too emotionally attached to the canoe. Anyone can contact me via PM about it until I put it up for formal sale, probably next month.

Here it is on top of my car in mid-July and on the banks of the St. Regis River in the Adirondacks a few days later.

 

[gumpus]

For me the Phoenix compares most closely to a Hemlock SRT. They are high volume solid that will keep you dry on serious rivers. I could take my wife in a Phoenix but not a chance in a WF; Phoenix does not accelerate in one stroke like a Wildfire. Phoenix has far more primary stability...maybe too much for me. Most solos I've owned feel great when you add a dog (including WF) where the trim improves and the weight helped glide. For me Phoenix handled the weight effortlessly but didn't feel nearly as good as I'd expect. I'm a perfect fit to the capacity of a WF...Phoenix is too big for me.

 

[Alan Gage]

I'm a perfect fit to the capacity of a WF...Phoenix is too big for me.

I have a little experience with the wildfire and none with the Phoenix. Looking at the specs i always assumed they were very similar in volume and handling. Other than the Phoenix being 6" longer what is there in the hull shape that makes it much different than the wildfire?

Alan

 

[dutchlennart]

Own a bell wildfire, owned a phoenix . To me they come close to each other. The phoenix in ipx seems more rugged, and a bit more carrieng capacity, but I did not have it long enough to bang it down (shllow) rivers. I sold it because a loonworks aria turned up for sale. Those are so rare and beuatuifull , and paddling those are even nicer. Only so scary to take it to other then flatwater. The aria has the least primary and secondary stability of the 3. or should I say is the most lively responsive. hope fully one day i can make a vid starring all 3.