Bell is back! - Canoeing / Kayaking

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Bell is back!
Posted by: Canuka on Mar-12-13 9:44 PM (EST)

-- Last Updated: Mar-12-13 9:44 PM EST --

I opened my new Piragis catalog and there it was on p. 3. Ted Bell himself is building the North Wind in 17' and 18' as well as the Magic.

I had no idea. Maybe someone brought it up here and I missed it, but this is the first I have seen of this news.

Congratulations, Ted!

Table of Contents

Bell is back! - Canuka - Mar-12-13 9:44 PM
- Rumors... - PJC - Mar-18-13 7:47 AM
  - less tumblehome - jhb8426 - Mar-18-13 1:26 PM
    - Makes sense... - PJC - Mar-18-13 1:50 PM
  - Eds Canoe - nermal - Mar-19-13 10:27 PM
    - Thanks nermal, - Jsaults - Mar-20-13 6:59 PM
- Just like Canuka, - Jsaults - Mar-18-13 4:44 PM

Messages in this Topic

  Rumors...
  Posted by: PJC on Mar-18-13 7:47 AM (EST)

were floating around about that at Canoecopia and also from a fellow I know who used to be a dealer of Bell years ago. These rumors included that its now to be know as "Bell Composites." (Almost like that company that makes helmets, eh?) I also hear, perhaps accurately, that there are some changes... less tumblehome on the Magic, I hear, to keep them from being exactly as the old ones were.
Whether any of this will turn out to be true, I'm not sure. It would be nice to see them back in production. They were very fine canoes. Its just wrong to see all these brands of plastic canoes with plumbing pipe holding them together continuing happily along making sales while good canoes like Bell go under.
Besides, I'd like to buy some new gunnels for my Mystic and it would be nice (though not necessary) if they were "genuine Bell".

  less tumblehome
  Posted by: jhb8426 on Mar-18-13 1:26 PM (EST)

I saw on another forum that the reason for the reduced tumblehome was to get away from the two piece mold. This was from someone who had just picked up a new northwind from Ted Bell/Bell Composites. Basically the hull's the same below that.

  Makes sense...
  Posted by: PJC on Mar-18-13 1:50 PM (EST)

I don't know why the change was made, only heard a rumor that it was. If this person bought one one of the new Bells and talked to Ted Bell, that's what I'd be inclined to believe. I only heard scuttlebutt about a change in the Magic.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of tumblehome anyhow, but there certainly are many who like it. I'm sure the new boats will be great boats. I've never seen a Bell I didn't like.

  Eds Canoe
  Posted by: nermal on Mar-19-13 10:27 PM (EST)

Will mill you gunwales with the Bell profile. They were the OEM supplier for Bell for many years.

  Thanks nermal,
  Posted by: Jsaults on Mar-20-13 6:59 PM (EST)

I have dealt with Ed's many times in the past. But I see transportation cost as being the problem for me - New England to PGH PA via common carrier would be cost prohibitive. Easier for me to purchase from a Bell dealer who can piggy-back the rails with canoe deliveries.

Jim

  Just like Canuka,
  Posted by: Jsaults on Mar-18-13 4:44 PM (EST)

I finally got around to opening my Piragis catalog today. What a pleasant surprise! As an owner of a Magic in B/G my feelings are pretty much as Canukas. And now there is hope for me to obtain a new set of outwales from a Bell dealer!

Jim

	Rumors... Posted by: PJC on Mar-18-13 7:47 AM (EST)
	were floating around about that at Canoecopia and also from a fellow I know who used to be a dealer of Bell years ago. These rumors included that its now to be know as "Bell Composites." (Almost like that company that makes helmets, eh?) I also hear, perhaps accurately, that there are some changes... less tumblehome on the Magic, I hear, to keep them from being exactly as the old ones were. Whether any of this will turn out to be true, I'm not sure. It would be nice to see them back in production. They were very fine canoes. Its just wrong to see all these brands of plastic canoes with plumbing pipe holding them together continuing happily along making sales while good canoes like Bell go under. Besides, I'd like to buy some new gunnels for my Mystic and it would be nice (though not necessary) if they were "genuine Bell".

	less tumblehome Posted by: jhb8426 on Mar-18-13 1:26 PM (EST)
	I saw on another forum that the reason for the reduced tumblehome was to get away from the two piece mold. This was from someone who had just picked up a new northwind from Ted Bell/Bell Composites. Basically the hull's the same below that.

	Makes sense... Posted by: PJC on Mar-18-13 1:50 PM (EST)
	I don't know why the change was made, only heard a rumor that it was. If this person bought one one of the new Bells and talked to Ted Bell, that's what I'd be inclined to believe. I only heard scuttlebutt about a change in the Magic. Personally, I'm not a big fan of tumblehome anyhow, but there certainly are many who like it. I'm sure the new boats will be great boats. I've never seen a Bell I didn't like.

	Eds Canoe Posted by: nermal on Mar-19-13 10:27 PM (EST)
	Will mill you gunwales with the Bell profile. They were the OEM supplier for Bell for many years.

	Thanks nermal, Posted by: Jsaults on Mar-20-13 6:59 PM (EST)
	I have dealt with Ed's many times in the past. But I see transportation cost as being the problem for me - New England to PGH PA via common carrier would be cost prohibitive. Easier for me to purchase from a Bell dealer who can piggy-back the rails with canoe deliveries. Jim

	Just like Canuka, Posted by: Jsaults on Mar-18-13 4:44 PM (EST)
	I finally got around to opening my Piragis catalog today. What a pleasant surprise! As an owner of a Magic in B/G my feelings are pretty much as Canukas. And now there is hope for me to obtain a new set of outwales from a Bell dealer! Jim