Recent content by kona

A Lutra Pro 2.5S blade paddle, number 145 with a 31” shaft, essentially new old stock. This one is 22oz, sold and shipped last week to a gentleman in New York. I love how well balanced these paddles are, with the blade giving up some ruggedness to weight. I have two lutras left now, consecutive...

Love mine. I’ve found a lot of mixed reviews for the Rx hull, and testing some friends, I found differences in primary stability that probably can be attributed to thwart width. For safety and structural integrity you might consider a new thwart rather than trying to rehab that rot.

I keep royalex for the shallow days and anticipated rocky stuff. My ‘89 dagger reflection 15 is redundant to the Morningstar in ballpark hull specs but it weighs 65+lbs and oil cans a bit. but nothing like the handful of wenonah royalex boats I’ve paddled.

IIRC, somewhere it’s been written something like this: Bell northwoods > cut down to make Northwind mold > cut down to make Morningstar mold > stretched out to make royalex northwind mold. I’ve seen white gold layups be pretty durable to non abuse regular type uses. my Morningstar is set up to...

I added one to my Spanish fly, after holding out for a few years. With thr LiFePo battery that lasts a weekend, it’s only 3lb for the whole kit. It’s great for play boating. It also allows me to be safer in situations like you just described. I don’t love the aesthetic of the pump. I am...

More Cannon River. Hemlock cruiser paddle by Cricket Designs.

Got out yesterday on the Cannon River in southeastern Minnesota

I got on his list the last time it was open, which was a short window. If I remember correctly, the wait was more than two but less than three years.

Yes it is, good eye.

An early ice out in southern Minnesota

I always prefer the wildfire after swapping from the YS. That said, I haven’t found a general purpose royalex solo with symmetrical rocker and hull design that I prefer over the YS. Been wanting to try the Mohawk Odyssey 14. And the Esquif Echo.

More than I need but I have space and have worked hard to try many and to find good examples of the boats I love… Three solos for whitewater, all in the hard chine Frankie Hubbard design/tradition: a blackfly octane 85 that I’m excited to get to know, in PE; a mohawk viper 12 in royalex, which...

Are paco pads comfortable? How comfortable? I’m intrigued for camping on rivers and in my van, with uneven/lumpy surfaces. I have used a thermarest guidelite for ever. In summer if conditions are no issue, I’ll put a thermareat ridge rest underneath. After a very cold October bwca trip a few...

my white gold Morningstar with wood trim and a third seat (no carry thwart) is 53# on my scale.