Even experienced paddlers need some adjustment time when switching from one boat to another. I go from racing to whitewater solos and can be very comfortable in each. But it always seems to feel funny for awhile, and I've owned these boats of years.

Goldilocks should sit down for a beer and get to know the bears boats.

I was about to thank another for their private thoughts tonight but I expect I can do it well enough here and the thought occurred to me that private AND public exchanges deserve the same respect so - thanks all. I do appreciate all the different perspectives offered.

At this point I'm thinking that my tandem boat and I have built a relationship of trust over the years. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of switching boats for shorter trips or testing and I find myself wishing I could just shrink the devil I know proportionately over the next few years....

I really liked the Prism in some respects but now that my shoulder seems happy again ... I really expected the difference between a true solo and a tandem being as instantly obvious as the aluminum to glass transition most of us have made. Perhaps experience is underrated. I get what people are saying and they all make sense but nothing has totally clicked home in my brain so far.

~Goldilocks 

JJS--yeah, I don't think I'd want the Argosy as a lake boat, it doesn't track well enough.  Great for little rivers and creeks, though.  The Rockstar is pretty fun, I've only paddled it briefly, though, so I can't really review it.  My preference for the Merlin is based mainly on the fact that it's what I paddle and I have got to know it's quirks.  I find it has great secondary stability, and pretty good primary with the foot brace.  It's a brave little boat.
Cheers,
gp

GP, I've got an Argosy for the small creeks at home. Bit small for lake tripping IMHO, but could work if you had too. Fun to paddle the tight stuff though. Along with the Wilderness from Wenonah, Bell's got a new Rockstar. I think that in plastic might make a nice river tripper. Need to paddle it too.

The Prism is a nice boat, but I have only paddled it with a light load.  I agree with the other solo paddlers, frequent trim adjustments based on the wind and yes, tailwinds are much more challenging.
I paddle a Merlin.  For a number of reasons, not choice, I had to remove the seat.  I had a sliding bench seat glassed in.  I love it.  With the footbrace in she generally handles beautifully.  I have often been the only paddler on the water, with glum paddlers campsite bound, staring at the waves. 
So far as paddling a straight line or being able to stay on one side:  I hit and switch, how often depends on which quarter the wind is coming from.  If the wind and trim are right, I can paddle on one side for a very long time.  I'm used to traveling in a sinuous line. 
One of the reasons I like the Merlin is that, unlike it's slightly longer cousin, the Magic, I can lay my packs down flat (unless I seriously over pack).  So far as capacity goes, I'm a big guy (230#) and I have (over)packed it for a 20 day solo and been perfectly happy with the results.
I love a dedicated solo boat.  Someone else mentioned the Wilderness, which I like, too.  If you want something with a little more rocker (cuz, you might need a dedicated river boat, as well as one for the lake country...) check out the Argosy.  Fun boat. 
Nuff said.  Good luck and have fun.

Another comment I'd like to add about the Prism is that it "Feels Safe"  With the majority of my later year trips being paddled solo, "Safe" is good.  I have had the opportunity to paddle a couple other solo boats and for me I'm pleased with the Prism.

I got a chance to take a short paddle in Wenonah's Wilderness Sat.

It takes to leaning OK,,,nice mix of initial and final stability,,,a bit wide paddling for me, but not bad from a kneeling position. I used a straight blade. I'm guessing a bent shaft and sitting with feet on the foot brace it might not track real well and you'd be busy switching sides. Better with a j-stroke and straight blade IMHO.

Would have like to jump into a Merlin II, but a demo wasn't available to compare.

db,

The reviews stated seem to be on the mark imho.  For me, the more of a load I carry the better I've found the prism tracks (Probably true with all boats?).  She holds a good load for a solo....for those of us that like to take a lot of stuff on occasion. Also concerning the comments about how the load is placed prevail.  I've also shifted the load concerning if going into the wind or with it.  A bit of a pain...but... at least in my imagination...it's helped.

Glad you took your trip.  I opted out this year to see my brother in Seattle as we were way over due on catching up.

Waving at you from Seattle and congradts on making the trip.

k

Well let me add my $.02. 
Tracking
I think your sawyer is a little longer making it track straighter. But I do not understand why it should take more correction in the prism than the sawyer. On second thought If the sawyer is wider do you tip it  toward the side you paddle on? Some boats turn a little when tipped.
Wind
Every solo except my robroy (almost a kayak) has been sensitive to where the weight is in wind.  Before I had a sliding seat I kept a pack in front of the canoe that I could move with the paddle.  Head into the wind and push it forward.  Get a tail wind and hook the pack with the paddle and pull it all the way back between my feet.
Seat position
With a slider seat I get to try a lot of positions.  It may not be the fastest position but on calm water I like the way the canoe handles with the stern a little heavy. 
Tripping solo boat size
The robroy is a little small and sometimes a hassle to get every thing in and out of. I am some times cramped with a pack between my legs.
The magic is probably a little to big.  It would be easier on the portages and probably faster on the water if there was not so much of it.  NO I will not sell either one.

db you're showing the first signs. You need to test paddle lots of solos,,,then get a different one for all the different water you paddle, creeks, lakes, whitewater,,,,,it only gets worse from here

All kidding aside. I test paddled a Prism. Thought it was a neat idea, got me looking around for a tripping solo. But a prism wasn't really the answer for me. I also found it too wide at the paddling position.

Shorter solos can have a fixed bench and do fine. Longer solos seem to have a sliding seat, and may need them more. You might have had some answers to you're handling if you could have easily adjusted your trim on the fly.

Let me now when you need two hands to count your boats,,,at times I've had to take my shoes off too