Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.

Several decades ago we rented aluminum behemoths weighing 70 to 80 lbs. and thought nothing of it.   Now we buy carbon fiber and know it is a good choice to shave ounces.

Several of your comments praised Souris River boats.  When traveling tandem we rented Wenonah’s for many years, but then discovered the merits of Souris River and now will rent nothing else.  We also happened to meet the owners and they are absolutely great people.

I agree with ST completely about getting packs down below the gunwales.  I accomplished that on my last solo, but the packs fit very tight and were miserable to remove and put back in.  I am determined to learn how to pack light, which is part of the reason to invest in a new, lighter, likely narrower boat.

No options in Southern Indiana for test driving upscale canoes.  The local outdoorsey shop used to do that once a year until kayaks took over the universe.

The best I can do is mock up narrow gunwales on my MR Independence to see if my old stiff knees will tolerate it.

Jimbo, you mentioned you like your Prism going INTO the wind…..is that to say it is a problem with wind at your back and following seas?

At the moment I am leaning toward a Magic, although I have no real well defined reason why?

Wally13 said his Magic had fairly good initial and secondary stability.    He is 6’  218 lbs.   I am 5’10”  and 170lbs.   Will my lighter weight make the secondary stability better, worse or no different?

Thanks again for putting up with all my never ending questions.

Kind Regards,

MossBack