GC Don, Thanks for the offer to test drive your Magic.  I would be happy to travel the hour and say "hello" but my next couple of months are full and I would imagine your time is short as well.  I appreciate the offer though.

Your and Solus's messages on appropriately sized packs is something i have already fought with last September.  I took the 2 smallest canvas packs I had and both were too big.  They did lay flat below the gunwales behind the seat and forward of the front thwart, but not without a fight.  Every portage I came to they were a chore to extract and to replace.  I am determined to reduce gear and have packs small enough just to drop in place and pull back out without swearing.  I already bought a CCS Rucksack for the bow of my Independence. I have always been surprised no one makes a line of packs just for solo travelers?

Do you lay your packs flat or on edge (side) to make them fit the solo boats?

Regards,

MossBack