Magic

Purchased a Northstar Magic last month and its was delivered 6 weeks later. I come from a kayak background and have had multiple knee surgeries. I wanted to switch to a canoe foe the ease of entering and exiting compared to a kayak. In my research, I narrowed my choices down to a Northstar Solo and Magic. I live in Kentucky and the availability to test paddle those 2 canoes can be a difficult task. I drove to a retailer 2 hours away to discuss those specific boats. Still undecided, the owner suggested that I call Bear at Northstar. I called Bear and had a great conversation with him. A week later I ordered the Magic in Blacklite with carbon footbrace and gunnels. I had read where the Magic lacked initial stability until you get used to it. The day I brought in home, I went for a 2 mile paddle. The following days I went for a 4 mile and 6 mile paddle. I can tell you that I never felt unstable while paddling the Magic. The ease of getting in and out of the Magic compared to a sit in kayak is awesome. I love the way it tracks and turns. I use a double paddle. However, I have been researching buying a ZRE or a BB paddle. I hope this review helps someone.

I recently purchased the Magic Solo canoe in the Starlight/aluminum layup. It is a 16 footer, very very light. I paddle it with a kayak paddle as I have recently switched from several 17 foot kayaks to the canoe. Years ago I was a hit and switch marathon canoe racer. Single blade canoe blades just don't do it for me anymore. Kayak paddles are faster and track better. So this boat is quite fast. With a kayak paddle I accomplished a 95 minute 9 miler on an Ohio River race with kayak paddle. Tracking was great. Despite its ultralight layup there was no oil canning of the hull. The boat easily went through the tumultuous wake at the start with the wake of all the boats taking off, and later a speeding police boat racing upriver for a rescue. My butt was fine the first 45 minutes on the cane seat but became uncomfortable the last 45 minutes such that I was squirming to keep comfortable but I had this same problem in my different kayaks as I paddle about an hour a day 4 days a week. But in the canoe there was more space to allow for more leg positions. I'm thinking about trying to briefly intermittently kneel to get off my butt at times. The salesman said this boat could easily handle a dog which is another reason I switched from kayak to canoe. That's my next test for this boat. So I'm quite happy with the Magic. Why? It is very light, fast, a good tracker with a kayak paddle and narrow enough with tumblehome so that the kayak paddle is very efficient, and stable through motorboat wake.