It' been a year now since Ted Bell came out with new canoes and a new company, Bell Composites.  I'm curious if any QJr's have paddled a new Bell Composites canoe, and what did you think of it? 

prouboy

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

"Same Bell Magic" but no tumblehome, correct, which doesn't seem like same to me but I understand?

Roger that.  With a 23" GW and a 29" MW, per the specs, there's plenty of tumblehome!  I'm keeping my eye out for a good solo.  I like the Prism quite well too and thought a lot about the Savage River boats...depends on what's available.  I haven't seen anything on the Pheonix, Prouboy - do you have any links to some info on it, pictures, specs, etc.?

pd

I have a bell magic that I have taken many trips in. I now use it for local paddling because I have a much better tripping solo.  My new (3 years and 6 trips old) solo canoe is easier to paddle, faster, less effected by the wind, and much easier to portage.  Look at the RapidFire at.
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