@ ST.....still working on those anti-gravity discs...until then, I'm hoping the ones in my back hold out.   :o

Disclaimer on the Merlin II - have not tripped in that boat, as I fly up to MN. It's my workout boat locally. My drive would be 22 hours one way to Ely and I'm not doing that - at least until I retire.  I did get that for only $1250 and lightly used, so you just need to decide what you want, then wait for the opportunity.  I think you'll do really good on a used boat for $2000 grand or less.

Last summer, Magic let me paddle his Magic for the Aug/Sep. trip TomT did the trip report on.  I like to keep things below the gunnels too and with a narrower solo, I did have to keep that in mind packing. It worked out fine with my CCS Pioneer pack, a CCS 30L barrel pack, and a BWJ Guide pack.  And what Magic said about stability.  I find the Bell (NorthStar) canoes tend to have really good secondary stability, esp. in big water.  Jimbo and Wally13 did take on some water in that big ol' Souris River (and it IS big) on day 1, but that Magic stayed bone dry...just sayin'!  Then again, maybe it wasn't the canoe, rather the load!  :D

pd