Would anyone happen to know the specs for the old Starfire, I hav'nt had much luck researching it.
was it a bit wider then a merlinII,did it have simular rocker,length,etc. Thanks ..Ed
It’s not remotely
related to the Merlin. The Starfire is a 15’ tandem with a width of about 32-33. It’s the sportiest tandem freestyle canoe on the market. I believe it was 3 or 3.5 inches of rocker. It’s symmetrical, and has fantastic secondary stability.
I can get you the exact measurements from a catalog this evening.
PK
Does Bell Still Make That Hull?
I know they still make the OT Canadienne as a special order, do they do the same with the Starfire? WW
Her she is!!!
L- 15’
Max W - 34"
W @ rails - 30"
3" WL - 30.5"
WL L - 14’9"
L/W - 6.0
Bow - 19"
Miid - 13.5"
Stern - 18
Rocker - 3
Load Range - 250 to 450
Disp 2" 160#
Disp 3" 260#
Disp 4" 370#
PK
Thanks pknoerr!
Hey That looks like a very Interesting hull
I would love to paddle one sometime.but I guess thats not likely to happen, dagnabbit, Ed
Starfire
Paul - thanks for the specs…I don’t have any old catalogs anymore - or can’t find them.
Ed - the Starfire is a really cool boat and I know of two people in the Ann Arbor area that have them and yes Bell will still make one for you; I think they charge an extra $100 to prep the mold. Come on up and I’ll get you into one.
It’s more of a tandem that works well solo in most situations (downriver or calm water, not upriver or super windy days) yet it’s still quite an efficient tandem that will carry quite a big load. And it’s stable and turns on a dime no matter what.
And as Paul mentioned it’s probaby the top boat for tandem freestyle. It’s a fabulous boat for just playing around solo on a calm pond.
But for cruising solo it won’t touch a hot solo like a Merlin II.
Get both and you’ll be ready no matter what.
No longer
As I understand it, Bell no longer makes the Starfire even as a special order. You might ask Bell, but I believe they no longer have the moulds. It is a really sweet boat.