September 4, 2010, 8:59 am
I'm 5'11" around 190 lbs and new to kayaking. I wasn't sure which water environment I would be spending the most time in. I live on the ocean but love rivers and fresh water lakes. I'm camper and a fisher. So far I have been paddling this boat in ocean bays and surfing at the beach. It is very stable, and easy to paddle. Seems lighter then what Liquid Logic says it weights, probably because it is so balanced.
I would and have recommended this boat and TAO to friends.
June 25, 2010, 12:01 pm
I've used my canoe cart several times so far. Although its not ideal for rough terrain it will take a gravel path with occasional roots and small rocks quite well. I had both my daughter's in the canoe, while on the cart, loaded with PFD's, paddles, and light gear. The cart took it all without trouble. I can easily walk the 1km to my closest put in rather than load the truck and waste gas driving it there. You also get all kinds of smiles and waves while walking a canoe on wheels down the road!
May 23, 2010, 3:08 am
This is great, works like a charm, especially in the face of an emergency! Very discrete and made of awesome material that repels liquid.
May 5, 2010, 10:07 am
We have used our Northstar 1 full season for probably 100 Kms or so. Before this we have used singles (Paluski) for about 4 years. Paddle lake and ocean.
Pro's
Very stable
Quite fast once moving. Paddled 11kph on GPS.
Carries a large load and the centre cargo bay can carry an animal such as our 80 lb hound or of course gear.
Unsychronized paddling will not cause a problem as paddlers are separated far enough from each other . This is great in rougher ocean conditions when power is needed rather than finesse.
Ample deck rigging.
Because the hull has a V shape it tracks well, and works very well with the rudder as needed. We had it in 4 foot swells and it was very managable even when the rudder came out of the water.
Great seats and thigh supports, get back ache in my single but no problem in Northstar.
Con's
HEAVY. Don't want to be carrying too far at 94 lbs. We have a trailer for moving to the water from home, and a sturdy dolly for moving local. Only short moves by hand.
Centre hatch is not watertight from rear paddler.
April 29, 2010, 4:38 pm
I TOOK IT ON A SURVIVAL TRIP TO ALBERTA, AND IT KEPT ME WARM AND DRY. ONE NIGHT I DIDN’T SLEEP WITH IT OVER MY MUMMY BAG AND I WAS HONESTLY PRETTY COLD…COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN THAT I FORGOT TO CHANGE MY SOCKS BUT WHATEVER. IT RAINED A LOT ON THAT TRIP, AND EVEN SNOWED, AND THE BAG DID IT’S JOB KEEPING ME DRY AND A FEW DEGREES WARMER. ONE THING I DON’T LIKE ABOUT IT IS THE AIR FLAPS. THEY DON’T ALLOW FOR MUCH BREATHABILITY.
February 6, 2010, 6:06 pm
This is one amazingly small stove that unfolds to twice it's size. It gets very very hot but doesn't take long to cool down once shut off. It's okay at simmering but won't match an alcohol stove in this respect. The three supports are very solid and the weight of your pot only further locks things into place. The piezo ignition works every single time. I have yet to see it fail to light on the first try. Very few moving parts. The only part I can see needing maintenance/replacement years from now is the rubber seal that seats on the fuel canister. All these canister stoves share this weakness though. I'm very happy with this stove. It fits my snowpeak 700 perfectly. If you have a narrow diameter mug that you want to use this with you may want to check out if it fits first on the pot supports.
January 24, 2010, 7:04 am
This is a very comfortable pack and the rain cover works extremely well. Lots of room for your gear but I don't think it's big enough for week long trips. Has a convenient pocket in the waist strap (nice spot for band aids and advil). Very adjustable. Glad I bought it.
Jared -
I'm 5'11" around 190 lbs and new to kayaking. I wasn't sure which water environment I would be spending the most time in. I live on the ocean but love rivers and fresh water lakes. I'm camper and a fisher. So far I have been paddling this boat in ocean bays and surfing at the beach. It is very stable, and easy to paddle. Seems lighter then what Liquid Logic says it weights, probably because it is so balanced.
I would and have recommended this boat and TAO to friends.
Brian C. -
I've used my canoe cart several times so far. Although its not ideal for rough terrain it will take a gravel path with occasional roots and small rocks quite well. I had both my daughter's in the canoe, while on the cart, loaded with PFD's, paddles, and light gear. The cart took it all without trouble. I can easily walk the 1km to my closest put in rather than load the truck and waste gas driving it there. You also get all kinds of smiles and waves while walking a canoe on wheels down the road!
Ann S. -
This is great, works like a charm, especially in the face of an emergency! Very discrete and made of awesome material that repels liquid.
Paul -
We have used our Northstar 1 full season for probably 100 Kms or so. Before this we have used singles (Paluski) for about 4 years. Paddle lake and ocean.
Pro's
Very stable
Quite fast once moving. Paddled 11kph on GPS.
Carries a large load and the centre cargo bay can carry an animal such as our 80 lb hound or of course gear.
Unsychronized paddling will not cause a problem as paddlers are separated far enough from each other . This is great in rougher ocean conditions when power is needed rather than finesse.
Ample deck rigging.
Because the hull has a V shape it tracks well, and works very well with the rudder as needed. We had it in 4 foot swells and it was very managable even when the rudder came out of the water.
Great seats and thigh supports, get back ache in my single but no problem in Northstar.
Con's
HEAVY. Don't want to be carrying too far at 94 lbs. We have a trailer for moving to the water from home, and a sturdy dolly for moving local. Only short moves by hand.
Centre hatch is not watertight from rear paddler.
8 out of 10
Elizabeth Robertson - TAO Staff -
I TOOK IT ON A SURVIVAL TRIP TO ALBERTA, AND IT KEPT ME WARM AND DRY. ONE NIGHT I DIDN’T SLEEP WITH IT OVER MY MUMMY BAG AND I WAS HONESTLY PRETTY COLD…COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN THAT I FORGOT TO CHANGE MY SOCKS BUT WHATEVER. IT RAINED A LOT ON THAT TRIP, AND EVEN SNOWED, AND THE BAG DID IT’S JOB KEEPING ME DRY AND A FEW DEGREES WARMER. ONE THING I DON’T LIKE ABOUT IT IS THE AIR FLAPS. THEY DON’T ALLOW FOR MUCH BREATHABILITY.
Trevor Bowes -
This is one amazingly small stove that unfolds to twice it's size. It gets very very hot but doesn't take long to cool down once shut off. It's okay at simmering but won't match an alcohol stove in this respect. The three supports are very solid and the weight of your pot only further locks things into place. The piezo ignition works every single time. I have yet to see it fail to light on the first try. Very few moving parts. The only part I can see needing maintenance/replacement years from now is the rubber seal that seats on the fuel canister. All these canister stoves share this weakness though. I'm very happy with this stove. It fits my snowpeak 700 perfectly. If you have a narrow diameter mug that you want to use this with you may want to check out if it fits first on the pot supports.
Trevor -
This is a very comfortable pack and the rain cover works extremely well. Lots of room for your gear but I don't think it's big enough for week long trips. Has a convenient pocket in the waist strap (nice spot for band aids and advil). Very adjustable. Glad I bought it.
Ryan Donkersgoed -
Most durable and field maintainable filter I have ever used.