Bell Traveler III

[mitscan1]

My in-laws left us this solo canoe. We don't do solo trips. Trying to pin down exactly what this canoe is, a price range, and find someone interested in buying and using it.

I can take any photos that would help ID the canoe.

Thank you.

 

[gumpus]

I'm not familiar with the exact history of the boat. You might shoot an email to northstarcanoes since Ted Bell is there and he knows the history. The last 3 digits of the serial number indicate it was built in Feb 1990. It appears to be kevlar based on the color. I suggest you weigh it since any buyer will want to know the weight. Buyers usually like to see pics of the bottom to look for damage and pics of the interior to see how much work it needs, if any. If the weight is below 40 pounds it also suggests kevlar. A kevlar solo touring canoe in excellent shape should be worth around $1200-$1500 depending on where you live since that's about half (or a bit less) than anything comparable would cost new.

 

[mitscan1]

Thank you.

 

[Tryin']

.

 

[Alan Gage]

A kevlar solo touring canoe in excellent shape should be worth around $1200-$1500 depending on where you live since that's about half (or a bit less) than anything comparable would cost new.

I haven't really kept up on the used canoe market lately but one caveat to this might me that a 35 year old hull that virtually no one is familiar with is likely to bring less than a slightly newer hull that people are familiar with and desire. Unless I had fond memories of a Bell Traveler III I'd be looking to spend my $1200 on something different.

Alan

 

[Alan Gage]

I asked Chat GPT to scour the web and compile a history of the Traveler series canoes. Doesn't seem to be much out there.

The Bell Traveler series of canoes, designed by Bob Brown, was a notable line of solo canoes produced by Bell Canoe Works. The series included the original Mississippi River Traveler and subsequent iterations: Traveler, Traveler II, and Traveler III. These canoes were recognized for their balance between speed and maneuverability, making them suitable for paddlers weighing between 135–175 pounds. solocanoes.comPaddling.com+1Paddling.com+1

Hull Dimensions​

The Traveler was a 15.5-foot solo canoe. While specific dimensions for width and depth are not readily available, the design emphasized a balance between speed and turning capability, positioning it between the performance of the original Merlin and more maneuverable solo canoes. Paddling.com

Series Evolution​

The Traveler series evolved through three versions:

• Traveler: The original model, offering a blend of speed and maneuverability.
• Traveler II: Details on specific changes are limited, but it likely included refinements based on user feedback and performance enhancements.
• Traveler III: The final iteration, potentially featuring further design optimizations.

Exact specifications and changes between these versions are scarce, but the progression suggests continuous improvement in design and performance.

Production Years​

The Traveler series was discontinued by Bell Canoe Works by 2003. However, it was still available for special order that year, subject to an additional discontinued mold fee. The availability beyond 2003 is uncertain, and it's likely that production ceased shortly thereafter.Paddling.com+3oakorchardcanoe.com+3Paddling.com+3Paddling.com

Current Used Prices​

Used Bell Traveler canoes are rare in the market. However, similar Bell models from the mid-2000s, such as a 15'7" black Kevlar and wood canoe, have been listed for around $1,000. Prices for used Bell canoes vary based on model, condition, and materials, with listings ranging from $700 to $2,500. Given the rarity of the Traveler series, a well-maintained example could command a premium within this range.reddit.comPaddling.com+1Shoppok+1


If you're interested in acquiring a Bell Traveler, monitoring canoe forums, classified listings, and reaching out to canoeing communities may increase your chances of finding one.

 

[gumpus]

I haven't really kept up on the used canoe market lately but one caveat to this might me that a 35 year old hull that virtually no one is familiar with is likely to bring less than a slightly newer hull that people are familiar with and desire. Unless I had fond memories of a Bell Traveler III I'd be looking to spend my $1200 on something different.

Alan

Yes. On one hand if it's light and perfect you may have a hard time finding other good choices for $1200 but on the other hand I agree that most buyers assume that "newer is better" which is not true in many cases. I'd expect the construction quality to be better than a new Northstar.

But unfortunately I agree that it's probably worth more than it's worth.

At least newer paddlers can be happy that you don't need to spend $3000-$5000 to get a high quality canoe.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Mitscan1, welcome to site membership! Feel free to ask any questions and to post messages, photos and videos, and to start threads, in our many forums. Please read Welcome to CanoeTripping and Site Rules! Also, because canoeing is a geographic sport, please add your location to the Account Details page in your profile, which will cause it to show under your avatar as a clickable map link. Many of the site's technical features are explained in Features: Help and How-To Running Thread. We look forward to your participation in our canoe community.

From the one picture shown of the bow, the hull and wood look pretty good. But more pictures would be helpful in evaluating the condition and pricing.

The hull could be some combination of gel coat, fiberglass and a Kevlar interior, so weighing the hull would also be informative. The snap heads below the gunwale indicate it might have had some sort of fabric canoe deck, perhaps partial or full.

I never heard of the Bell Traveler and hence doubt it was a popular canoe. That would deflate its price at any age, especially if it's 35 years old, made for a small person, and/or tippy. I'd guess $850 tops in decent condition, unless you luck into some sort of really motivated buyer or collector; less, if it needs significant work.