just thought I'd add:   a few years ago, 3 of us were paddling a local lake - me in my Independence, and one Bell Magic and one Bell Merlin - we swapped out boats to check them out, and all 3 of us thought that the Magic was very similar to the Independence in the way they handled.  So if you really like the Indy, then definitely test drive the Northwind solo that is closest to the old Magic.