Hello neighbor, I live in Cambridge. I think you can't go wrong with either choice. I like Bell canoes. I've paddled a prism, and I liked it . It was fast , And it tracked straight. To straight in my  opinion. Now I know that might upset some folks, so what. I own a Merlin2 and a 1989 CJ, both are wonderful in their own way. If you're under 200lbs, I would suggest trying a Merlin2. It is a great boat. Very manuverable, quick and easy to paddle. It doesn't have alot of capacity however. The magic is a sweet ride but Its to narrow for my taste. Check out the new bell Rockstar. It has the exact deminsions as my old CJ +more rocker. I'm 260lbs and they finally built a new solo boat just for me. Did I mention that my "89" CJ is IVORY WITH DARK ASH TRIM -spotless. ::) Sale? Anytime you want to check either boat out I'm right off the Rum River. Midwest mountaineering inMLPS will let you test drive any boat you want.PEACE.