Etienne,
in your review you comment that the Shooting Star is a totally different concept intended for a different function. What do you mean by that? I was under the impression that the Shooting Star was just for the smaller paddlers (I weigh between 140 and 145 lbs). I looked at the North Star and the Fire Star but they seem to me that they would both be a bit large for me.

Thanks,

David S.

: Hi Bill

: I only have good things to say about the NS. It also responds
: predictably to load shifting, so loading gear could be used with
: intent for the expected conditions. Better than the drag from
: rudders or skegs.

: As designed it also has plenty of freeboard and is a dry boat. Nice
: for touring, especially river touring where one would want to
: explore ashore from time to time, if you want to get in dry and
: get out dry, without the hastle of wet-gear. I mostly go out in
: whatever I am wearing, spend a couple of hours on the
: water, and then go home perfectly dry and carry on with the day.

: The boat is also extremely forgiving in rough conditions, although
: I am not sure that is an issue here.

: I wrote a performance review a year or so ago on the NS which may
: give some insight. Only my opinions though.

: http://etiennemuller.com/northstar/NSperformancereview.html

: Final note, I reduced the cockpit size from that on the plans (see
: picture). My cockpit is 15.5 inches wide by 22 inches long and
: egg shaped. This cockpit size is, in my opinion, perfect for
: this boat. Note though that in the plans there is space between
: the seat back and the coaming, which I eliminated. No layback
: rolls fort my boat.

: In the second picture you can see the fulness in the bow.

: It is a fun boat to build.

: All the best

: Etienne