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- calendar_today October 21, 2026
Northstar Canoes Listed for Sale by Founder Ted Bell
After more than four decades shaping the canoe industry, Ted Bell, founder of Northstar Canoes, has announced he is selling the respected Minnesota-based company. Bell, who is turning 70, listed the business for sale at $2.69 million, signaling a new phase for both the company and its long-time leader.
Bell's Four-Decade Legacy in Canoe Manufacturing
Bell’s personal journey in canoeing began as a marathon racer in Indiana. In the early 1980s, he bought and operated Wabash Valley Canoes. His path brought him to Minnesota in 1985, following his then-wife’s job as an air traffic controller. Quickly becoming a fixture in the local outdoors industry, Bell joined Midwest Mountaineering as a part-time salesperson, rising to assistant manager in under a year.
Encouraged by outdoors writer Cliff Jacobson, Bell re-entered manufacturing by acquiring the CJ Solo mold from Old Town Canoes and starting Bell Canoe Works. This venture quickly became a major player in the market, known for its stability and seaworthiness—especially important for trips in the Boundary Waters, a region core to Bell's designs and philosophy.
Competitors and Industry Innovations
Throughout his career, Bell positioned his companies in friendly competition with longtime manufacturers such as Wenonah Canoes, founded by Mike Cichanowski, who built a reputation for fast and lightweight canoes. Bell distinguished his offerings by focusing on stability for challenging conditions, carving out a dedicated customer base in Minnesota and beyond.
Bell’s approach became a trademark of Northstar Canoes, the third canoe business he's led, which he co-founded in 2013 with Bear Paulsen. The company has gained recognition for innovative approaches to canoe design innovation and high-end production methods, including carbon fiber molded gunnels replacing more traditional materials. Notably, Northstar emphasizes composite canoes to balance performance and durability.
Resilience and Growth in a Shifting Outdoor Recreation Market
Northstar Canoes has grown rapidly, filling the niche vacated by Bell Canoe Works after it was sold to ORC Industries in 2006. Although ORC eventually shuttered Bell Canoe Works production following the 2008 recession, Bell wasted no time after his non-compete expired, starting Northstar with a renewed emphasis on material innovation. The company’s products are now a fixture in the Boundary Waters region and outfitters like Piragis Northwoods Company in Ely report strong and growing demand, especially among younger outdoor enthusiasts and families.
Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison, Wisconsin, praised Northstar for staying on the leading edge of technology and continually responding to customer needs, highlighting the brand's commitment to quality and experimentation in canoe manufacturing.
Looking for the Right Successor
As he prepares to step back from the canoe business, Bell is clear about his hopes for Northstar’s future. He wants a buyer who will keep production in Minnesota and retain the skilled workforce, emphasizing continuity and stewardship over a quick sale. He has engaged a business broker to ensure any new owner aligns with these goals.
"Don’t just look at their money," Bell advises, reflecting on lessons learned from his previous company sale. Industry observers note that the sale of a company with Northstar’s heritage is about more than financials—it's about upholding a culture and tradition of outdoor recreation.
The Enduring Appeal of Canoes and Community
Despite industry fluctuations following the COVID-19 boom and bust, the canoe industry appears steady. Steve Piragis of Piragis Northwoods Company notes a shift toward younger customers, but emphasizes the enduring appeal of paddling the Boundary Waters. “I don’t think anybody’s going to get rich selling canoes,” Piragis says, “But they’ll do okay, and it’s a fun business to be in. I don’t think they’ll wear out on canoes. I’ve been at it for 50 years, and I still love it.”
As Northstar Canoes moves toward a new chapter, its founder looks forward to spending more time paddling the very waters his canoes were designed to traverse.
Source: startribune.com.
