The family has been looking for a solo canoe. With one child starting college this year and the other a senior in high school, it has been tough finding time that we all have off, with summer jobs/internships and the like. But with a solo, we can still go with an odd number (the days of putting the kids in the middle are long gone). Anyway, that is how I am going to justify the purchase.

My daughter, who loves to canoe, has been leading the charge on this and in July and August (just last night), we made it out to Midwest Mountaineering's monthly Paddle Demo.

Reading reviews here and being a "Wenonah guy" (we have two Spirit IIs), I figured I would like the Prism or Wilderness the best or perhaps the Northwind Solo. I was concerned with stability ("safety" being a dad).

Midwest Mt never did bring a Wilderness out, which was a bummer, but it has similar specs to the Solo. We found out, like everyone here always says, it pays to test paddle. You can narrow the field with on-line reviews, but "different strokes for different folks."

My daughter and I were blown away by our top pick and I thought going in, it would come in last. For us, it seemed to track best and yet respond to corrective strokes better too. Stability seemed similar as well (granted Nokomis was placid both nights and we have quite a bit of paddling experience). The NW Solo was close 2nd, but didn't track quite as well and wasn't quite as comfy. I think the seat is a bit lower (can get different seat drops, I know) and in the boat we choose, the narrower width seemed to make paddling easier - less reach.

Long story short, the Northstar Magic was.... well... magic!

Nicely done. Sounds like you made the perfect choice.

Yup. There are a lot of reasons why so many folks like the Magic.
You will have years of fun with the boat!!

Nice!

Driftless: "...
... The NW Solo was close 2nd, but didn't track quite as well and wasn't quite as comfy. I think the seat is a bit lower (can get different seat drops, I know) and in the boat we choose, the narrower width seemed to make paddling easier - less reach.

Long story short, the Northstar Magic was.... well... magic! "

I have a NW Solo. I love my canoe, it is fantastic. The ONLY time I regret buying it is when that guy with the Magic flys by me.

Enjoy your Magic.

OC Dave, my daughter and I switched back and forth at least 5 times when demo-ing the Solo and Magic - they were so close.

If I ever am crazy enough to try to take out one of our hyperactive 75 lb labs, I am going to regret not getting the Solo! :)

The Solo did have a slight edge in primary stability.

And as always, different strokes for different folks, otherwise there would only be one canoe and how boring would that be.

We purchased PuffinGin's Magic last night! It was great to meet Ginny (she is so nice) and we promised to give her Magic a great home and a lot of paddling!