I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a one-season livery boat from an outfitter this year. I think I got a good deal and after previously paddling a rented magic, I am exited now for the real freedom of padding anytime both locally and on trips. I drove to pick it up in Ely this past weekend and as long as I was there I had to take it for an inaugural spin on Hegeman entry.

I also for the first time brought our oldest son with(4). He'd 'camped' in the backyard, but Friday night at 34 degrees with snow hitting the tent was a real experience for him. The rain really saturates all the fall colors in a beautiful way. It was just an overnight before driving back home the next day, but he did great and we had a blast. He'll tell you about seeing the 'moose, cat, and silly man' pictographs ....but my history lesson might not have sank in completely, because if you ask him who painted them he may or may not say 'aliens'.





The boat is up in the garage and I have already done the "sticker mod" of the outfitter logo to preserve the loon. Besides mild single-season scratching, the stem and stern have some kevlar fuzzies showing so I plan to add skid plates this winter. Also have to put together a yoke for it, but for a 28lb solo (most of the time) boat I couldn't be happier!

nice, i was up there the same weekend picking up my bwaters canoe from canadian waters.

Solo trips are fun, taking your 4 year old son, MAGIC!

butthead

I took a trip on the Isabella river in a rented Prism with my daughter in front of me like you did with your son. Glad you two got out that's what life is about.

Enjoy the Magic and welcome to the informal Magic club. :-)

Congrats, and welcome to the club. I purchased a used Bell Magic this year as well. If you get a chance to weigh yours that would be awesome. Mine was 37 pounds, I'm curious what the new version actually weighs.

quote gymcoachdon: "Congrats, and welcome to the club. I purchased a used Bell Magic this year as well. If you get a chance to weigh yours that would be awesome. Mine was 37 pounds, I'm curious what the new version actually weighs."

There was a guy at the recent wing night that picked up his brand new one on the way there. Without the portage yoke he said it was 29lbs when he weighed it. I looked at one at a dealer in Osseo and he said he weighed it at 29lbs also.

quote butthead: "Solo trips are fun, taking your 4 year old son, MAGIC!


butthead"

I couldn't agree more!!! even though I bring my daughters :)

Mine has a hung seat, and wood thwarts, with aluminum gunwales. I was expecting it to be a bit heavier with the wood, but not 5 or 6 lbs heavier. It is still light, fast, and a great paddling boat!

Nice find. I still have to dream about getting my Magic. My 1994 fiberglass solo goes 47lbs. empty. I need an upgrade cause I'm not getting any younger and still want to get way in the back country. Happy soloing.