Looking to buy a Bell Merlin II. Open to either Kevlight or Blackgold. I know this is probably a long shot but hey you never know! If you've got one you want to sell, give me a shout. Thanks and happy paddlin'.

One just popped up cl in mpls at 8pm wed

Thanks! I appreciate the heads up. I have an alert set for Bell canoes and they come up from time to time but this is the first Merlin I've seen. Sounds a little rough but it's kind of hard for me to judge the value - there just don't seem to be many around. Seems like a decent asking price for Black Gold in fair condition. Anyone out there have an opinion on 'fair market value'?

quote mama2moose: "Thanks! I appreciate the heads up. I have an alert set for Bell canoes and they come up from time to time but this is the first Merlin I've seen. Sounds a little rough but it's kind of hard for me to judge the value - there just don't seem to be many around. Seems like a decent asking price for Black Gold in fair condition. Anyone out there have an opinion on 'fair market value'?"

I think that is a fair price, but considering there is 'rot' in the wood trim I would think that would bring down the value a bit, just depends how bad it is.

Sorry I can't be of any help here. I was just curious as to why you are focusing on the Merlin. I happen to own a 98 Merlin II in white gold and really like it but I don't know jack about canoes. So is the Merlin II a special sort of boat or is it a model that you are fond of?

I'll say this about mine, it's light, looks good, is stable and goes where I point it.
~JOE~

Well, they don't make them anymore, "technically." But it is essentially the same specs as a Northwind Solo. I have one, and I like it. I bought it used last year - scratches and the like, but no "damage." I think I paid slightly less for a KevLite, but got a custom cover and an extra drop to switch from sitting to kneeling. Aluminum, not wood. FYI.

Well joetrain, I've been paddling tandem for decades but this is my first solo purchase. I've done a lot of research over the last couple years. I started with the Magic and Prism because they seem to be the most popular and I liked both. Then I tried the Northwind Solo at a demo and it felt a little more responsive on turns; easier for me to maneuver. I have a one boat budget so I want something that is nimble enough to explore smaller rivers but still efficient for long trips and tracks well on big lakes. Simple, right? I know many people suffer from the same condition that I do: I am determined to find exactly what I want and stubborn until I get it just right. (I call it Goldilocks Syndrome). I am 5'3" and my tripping load is 200 lbs give or take 10 depending on the trip. The Merlin II is a slightly smaller Northwind Solo - David Yost's original design - so it seems perfect. I admit as of yet I haven't even paddled one! But I'm confident enough that I want to spend a season with a Merlin II and get to know it. If it's not "just right" my search will continue...

Checked out that Merlin 11 on Craigslist, i think its totally overpriced in my opinion. I picked up a Merlin from Ted Bell about 4yrs ago, total refurbished and in Mint condition for a lot less than what this guy is asking.

I really appreciate the info KT. I hope to check it out this weekend. Really have to see it in person to get an idea of the condition. Do you mind if I ask how much you purchased yours for? I'm hoping the asking price is a starting point... it's always nice to have some bargaining tools. Feel free to shoot me an email if you don't want it posted here for some reason. If you don't want to divulge that's fine of course. Thanks!

I dont know where you are located but I live in Chicago. You are more than welcome to test paddle mine if you are in the area.

I bought mine for $500 at a garage sale. There was a small amount of wood rot on the stem and one gunnel but it was an easy fix. Mine is a bit more scratched up now than when I originally bought it but I decided that if I wanted to get to some better fishing I would have to bush wack it more . Now I dont shy away from dropping her down a 20 foot 70 degree incline to get to some good spots. I by no means abuse it , and I still wet foot it all the time when possible.
~JOE~

Here she is.

Thanks for the details and the offer Joe. I'd love to take you up on it but I am east of the Twin Cities on the St. Croix river and don't have any plans to be in the Chicago area any time soon. Sweet garage sale find! Great picture - one of the best parts about a solo trip is I can fish where I want for however long I want without testing the patience of my paddling partner. :)

$900, he replaced all the wood trim and seat. Its also a gel coat and was built in 1998...the boat was next to new when i picked it up.

I just looked through the pictures of that Merlin II, and I'd say the seller is overpriced. $1500-$1600 seems to be a pretty common price for a Bell in kevlite or blackgold in good condition, but I wouldn't expect much damage to the gunnels or anything more than surface scratches on the bottom of the boat at that price. But you may wait quite a while for that type of a boat to pop up as well, so you're timeline is going to influence the price as well.

This boat reminds me of a Bell Magic that sold a year ago in Denver, one of the members here bought it and had a couple threads about the purchase and repair process. Search the username "Tariacuri". Looks like this Merlin II could be a similar project.

I appreciate all the input and I agree 100% on the condition of this one after seeing the pictures. I'm glad I was close on the value. I was thinking if I found a nice one it would be around $1500. I'm still going to take a look at this canoe. I'm not afraid of a project but I'm in the middle of a house remodel and I'm itching to paddle soon! I'll have to check out those Tariacuri threads...Thanks for all the great advice everyone!

Hey mama, can I call you mama? A beautiful cedar strip canoe just popped up on cl. It is a Merlin design!! Real pretty!!

Sure you can. Amy also works :). That is a magnificent canoe! Rather an ironic recommendation from someone who lists their favorite canoe as "the lighter the better"! It is a real work of art but it would kill my dream of single portaging.

quote mama2moose: "Sure you can. Amy also works :). That is a magnificent canoe! Rather an ironic recommendation from someone who lists their favorite canoe as "the lighter the better"! It is a real work of art but it would kill my dream of single portaging."

The man who is selling this canoe is beyond wonderful. It is worth going to look at it just to hear him tell stories and reflect on his years paddling.

quote Frenchy19: The man who is selling this canoe is beyond wonderful...

Yes, I've seen some of his work. A true craftsman and more.

I would be interested in selling mine. Think its an 07. Just don't have the time anymore. Collects dust in garage. Been on 2 trips. Kevlight aluminum gunwales. Miner scratching and removable yolk. Unfortunately...., I'm in north central Illinois south of I80 and would want $1700

Keep looking! I looked a long time for mine! IMO people our size do well in a canoe the size of a Merlin. GOOD LUCK in your search!

Thanks Kendra! I took a look at the Merlin II on Craigslist in person last night. She is a little rough, and a blem model, but she had a good soul and it's nothing that can't be fixed. Actually looks very similar to the Magic that Tariacuri bought last year. (By the way a big shout out to Tariacuri and all those who share their repair stories! For a DIY person like me those posts are invaluable.) Still looking around but that one has potential for the right price.

otter1 thanks for the reply! The distance isn't a problem for me - I'm always up for a road trip. Yours sounds great and I was prepared to spend $1500 for one in nice condition so we're not far apart. I'm going to keep looking for now... I want to stay patient for the next few weeks and see what comes up on the auction block at Midwest Mountaineering's Outdoor Expo. You never know! If I'm still searching at the end of the month I'll shoot you an email and see if we can come up with a time that I could take a little trip down south to check it out.

10-4, mama. I will try to get her down Saturday and snap some photos for u. It doesn't have wood trim if that is important to u, just the seat and hangers. Its bronzed aluminum I believe.

I sold a Merlin II last summer for $1,600 in the Twin Cities. It was the most beautiful red kevlar I have ever seen, with nearly new wood trim and only minor scratches. A true work of art! I was tempted to keep it just to look at it, but with kids canoeing age, a solo was not practical for me. It sold in about three days. There are only a few a year in that condition that show up on Craigslist in our neck of the woods, but they are worth the wait. Good luck with the hunt!

hidden river yoke. Mama

Vin # ends in K809

quote Capsize: "I sold a Merlin II last summer for $1,600 in the Twin Cities. It was the most beautiful red kevlar I have ever seen, with nearly new wood trim and only minor scratches. A true work of art! I was tempted to keep it just to look at it, but with kids canoeing age, a solo was not practical for me. It sold in about three days. There are only a few a year in that condition that show up on Craigslist in our neck of the woods, but they are worth the wait. Good luck with the hunt!
"

I wonder if my dad bought that canoe. Not often 2 red Merlin II are sold in the area. If it was yours I paddled it last fall and it was indeed a beautiful boat.

Thanks so much otter1 for taking the time to post those pictures. It really is in very nice condition. I'll see what happens over the next few weeks... I will get back to you!

BigCurrent, I hope your dad enjoys the boat. By far the most beautiful canoe ever made!

Mama2moose,

Check out the white-gold Merlin II on this site at http://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=1006190&forumID=133&confID=1

At $1,200, it's a great deal and won't last long.

quote Capsize: "BigCurrent, I hope your dad enjoys the boat. By far the most beautiful canoe ever made!"

He loves it and so do I, any time we have an odd number in our group I'll be borrowing it. Had so much fun last fall I've been shopping for a solo of my own. Beautiful boat indeed.

Mama, another Merlin on mpls cl 995, looks good. Even has a cover. Looks like a good price for a good boat. Let me know if you get it so i can say "I wish I would have"

Thats a sweet boat and will be sold by 8 i bet.

quote pswith5: "Mama, another Merlin on mpls cl 995, looks good. Even has a cover. Looks like a good price for a good boat. Let me know if you get it so i can say "I wish I would have""

That's a Merlin , not a Merlin II. Big difference.

Thanks for the heads up pswith5. That is a nice looking canoe but as mr.barley pointed out it is a Merlin, and I am definitely interested in the smaller Merlin II. Appreciate all the help everyone!

One right here...
Merlin II

I have a Merlin II you can test paddle if you'd like before the Outdoor Expo. At least you'd know if it's the right one for you. I'm located in Lino Lakes, MN