New Northstar solo coming soon

[RogerMac]

Northstar Ober

Listed in price list, but not shown on the website as of 9/24.
Looks to be the rumored update of the Bell Rockstar.
The spec that surprises me is that they are showing the rocker reduced by .5" vs the Phoenix and Firebird.

Specs:
Length 15'6"
Width 28.0"/31.5"/28.0"
Depth 18.5"/13.5"/15.5"
Rocker 2.0"/2.0"
Optimal load range 225-425 lb.

https://www.northstarcanoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-Catalog-Specs.pdf

 

[Alan Gage]

Sounds like a good hull for big boys and big trips.

@Tryin' are you still looking for a boat? How does this one fit the bill?

Alan

 

[New England Waterman]

Hopefully we’ll see some video from Ethan at Happy Paddlin’ in a couple weeks.

I for one, even as I start a bit of weight loss, am excited for this. Not that the boat or antique gun fund has any money in it at present!

 

[gumpus]

Sounds like a good hull for big boys and big trips.

@Tryin' are you still looking for a boat? How does this one fit the bill?

Alan

There seems to be a recent trend in this type of boat. Northstar also offers the Pearl and Opal as very large solos and they call one of them a pleasure canoe. Wenonah has their new Basswood Solo and I think they call it the ideal fishing machine. The specs of the newest Northstar are very close to the new Swift Prospector 15. I paddled a Prospector 15 solo and loved it and I'm not big or in need of the capacity.

While they are all probably great for big guys or big trips I think the main use is pure pleasure when you don't need to cover distance. Given that small tandems can be soooo sweet for puttering around it seems logical that some paddlers may like something bigger than traditional solos but a bit smaller than small tandems. I love to solo the 15' Starfire and the Swift P15 solo is the first boat I've come across that might make an even better "luxury solo" for me.

Prospector 15 Solo | Multi Purpose Solo | Expedition Tripper

A high-volume solo expedition canoe with the stability, speed, and maneuverability to handle any water you point it at.

swiftcanoe.com

 

[clemency]

There seems to be a recent trend in this type of boat. Northstar also offers the Pearl and Opal as very large solos and they call one of them a pleasure canoe.

Both of those are "K9 friendly" and have the seat somewhat astern of where it would ordinarily be for a solo. I guess the Souris River Quetico 16 can be set up similarly. In both instances it is splitting the difference between the bow seat backwards and a solo seat towards the center. Whether for a large dog or gear, moving the seat back a touch makes some sense if you're hauling things. Also gives you a narrower paddling station.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Northstar Ober

Listed in price list, but not shown on the website as of 9/24.
Looks to be the rumored update of the Bell Rockstar.
The spec that surprises me is that they are showing the rocker reduced by .5" vs the Phoenix and Firebird.

Specs:
Length 15'6"
Width 28.0"/31.5"/28.0"
Depth 18.5"/13.5"/15.5"
Rocker 2.0"/2.0"
Optimal load range 225-425 lb.

https://www.northstarcanoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2027-Catalog-Specs.pdf

Sorta like the Clipper Caribou S.

 

[Tryin']

Sounds like a good hull for big boys and big trips.

@Tryin' are you still looking for a boat? How does this one fit the bill?

Alan

Yeah, these specs look great! If the shear is as spec'd, and not off by 2" like a certain Canadian company, it will hopefully be a great northern river tripper. Thanks for tagging me!

 

[ABT]

Sorta like the Clipper Caribou S.

Very similar specs, except the Caribou is deeper. Almost 5 inches shallower stern sheer is interesting. The waterline width is also a fair bit narrower than the Caribou even though max width is the same, so Ober is possibly faster with less initial stability (rounder bottom). I also know from some discussions with Charlie at Canoecopia last year that the rocker may not be truly symmetrical on the Ober even though it is 2” bow and stern. Basically rocker that is the same at the ends, but starts in different places bow and stern (at least that’s how he spoke of the prototypes). I’m curious to see if he stuck with that design element or if it didn’t make the Final Cut).

If the shear is as spec'd, and not off by 2" like a certain Canadian company, it will hopefully be a great northern river tripper.

This will be interesting to see for sure. The same price list shows the Phoenix as 13.5” center depth as well, but the main site shows 13”, and my actual Phoenix is a little less than 13”, but pretty close. My Bell Starfire is supposed to be 13.5” deep too, but is almost an inch shallower.

I saw that Happy Paddlin’ (Ethan Ebersold) got his delivery in with a couple of Ober’s in different layups, so we may see something on this hull soon.