I got a chance to paddle one of Piragis' new Bell's in late July just before a 9 day August Q trip.  I got to town about 5 days early before my crew arrived so I could bum around town a few days vs. the typicaly drive up/paddle/head back.  I met Jeanne Bourquin at the Blueberry Arts Festival - cool. 

I took out several of Piragis' solo boats including the Bell Magic.  It's a really great boat with secondary stability that took me quite by surprise.  I was 'testing' that feature and was sure I had pushed past its limit and was going for swim, but popped right back up.  A great paddling canoe, but not for me as the gunnels are way too narrow for how I like to paddle.  With a 23" gunnel width, there's no room for knees up...kinda confined.  Last summer I paddled an outfitter's older Northwoods in Wabakimi and I own an older Northwind.  The quality seemed to be commensurate with the older Bells.  I'd like to get a solo Bell for local use, perhaps a Merlin II will do the trick.

pd