Bell Wildfire Information

[CaptainOllieWest]

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I have a couple of questions about this canoe.

Do the air chambers look original?
Does the aluminum gunwales look original?
Is this Bell's Fiberlar lay-up?

I am kind of interested, but it would be a 4-5 hour drive each way.

Any other information or opinions welcome.

 

[Alan Gage]

I can't say for sure about air chambers but I had an old Wildfire and as I remember it was just a block of black foam glued to each stem. These look like they might be version 2.0 of that.

That boat had wood gunwales so I can't say about these aluminum gunwales being original or not.

Alan

 

[dutchlennart]

I have no fb so can not comment.
Bell has done some iterations in their airtanks . As far i know they always did a 2 piece gunnel . Either zilver or bronze anodized . Same as te current northstar ones

 

[sailsman63]

Can't speak to Bell history or practices, but:

1. That flotation does look like closed-cell foam block
2. Whether the gunwales are original or not, they appear solid and fair. (Used canoe. Unless it's a rare collector's item, "usable" trumps "original" any day.)

What I'm concerned about is that discoloration on the inside starboard side. It might be just some staining from high-tanin leaves rotting in there, but it also appears that it could be some of the layup de-laminating and flaking. The later would be a structural issue that would require intervention if you want that canoe to remain safe and floating. Maybe request the seller to explain/send some more detailed pictures of the area?

 

[Steve in Idaho]

When I zoom in, that does look like closed cell foam in the stem. I don't see anything that looks like a deal killer, except possibly the staining that @sailsman63 mentioned. My bet is that the boat was left sitting or hanging on edge with water and debris collecting there, but I'd want to clear that up before taking a long drive for it.

Otherwise, if it really weighs no more than about 35 lbs and the hull is essentially intact (I would want to see pics of the bottom), it looks like a good deal if you don't mind the drive.

 

[Alan Gage]

Not that I think it necessarily matters one way or the other but I can't imagine the seat and thwarts are original based on the age of the canoe. They look quite new and I would be surprised if it originally came outfitted with a bolted in yoke that far aft.

Alan

 

[gumpus]

Carry handles not original. No original seat drops. Gunwales look like Wenonah. I'd bet a dollar that it weighs more than 35 pounds.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I would be surprised if it originally came outfitted with a bolted in yoke that far aft.

Woah - how did I not notice that?

Definitely looks like it's been cobbed together some. Still not a deal breaker, but points for negotiation for sure.

BTW, I now consider all aged cane seats to be suspect and expect to replace them immediately.