I will just add the Tranquility is wide. CCS hybrid Pioneer right behind seat and CCS Deluxe food pack up front. I trim by pulling or pushing food pack.

   

I met a couple of guys at the BH parking lot as I was coming off a trip. They were just going into basecamp/fish on BH.

They had so much gear/coolers that they had a hand truck to haul the coolers. They made a homemade canoe cart to try and haul their canoe loaded with gear.

They had so much stuff the aluminum canoe BUCKLED in the center. They had to go into Atikokan and get it welded up.

They could have used this cooler-canoe. 

"I am looking for something lighter than my older Mad River Independence at 45 lbs" -

I have an Indy too, and was convinced to get something lighter - especially when standing in knee deep water on slippery rocks trying to hoist the boat up on your shoulders for the 10th portage of the day.  that convinced me to get a lighter boat for sure.

I test paddled both the Bell Magic and The Bell Merlin II on a windy day - didn't like how hard it was to turn the magic in the wind, as compared to the Merlin II.  Either boat (and same for Northstar variations) will get blown around in the wind if empty.

I also didn't like the higher seat they put in the Merlin (short seat drops) to make it more of a kneeling boat, so I ordered mine with longer seat drops which lowered the seat 3 or 4 inches and made it more stable - 29#.

Cruising speed with my normal tripping load is about 4mph - I've had the boat up to 7 or 7.5 mph once, when I had a quartering headwind and could just paddle on one side as hard and fast as I could.

If you like Wenonahs, ask a dealer or ask Wenonah about availability of composite Rendezvous solo - one of the fastest solos you can buy, with enough rocker to make it quite maneuverable on windy lakes, but its at its best as a river tripper if you have any interest in paddling rivers as well.  There's a nice used one for sale in Denver area for $1100 - probably won't last long.

All solos are subject to quirks in the wind, especially quartering winds (I have 5 different solo boats).  I, and many other people, set up the load so that you can easily shift a pack in front more forward towards the bow for headwinds, or pull it back with the rope you thoughtfully attached to better deal with tail winds.  Don't plan on setting up your gear all in one pack - better to have two more or less equal weighted packs to better adjust trim.

the following quote is from Paddling.com - if its convenient for you, it is a good way to go and see many different solos and test paddle many of them - most people would be willing to let you try their boats

"A reminder that the 11th edition of the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous will take place at our usual location at Cooper’s Lake Campground, Portersville/Slippery Rock PA on June 1/2/3. You may find more information on our website (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) Click on “message board”. Anything there with 2018 in the thread title will contain current information. We will keep you updated there and on our Facebook page as to the manufacturers who will be attending and bringing demo models for you to try out as we receive confirmation from them. As we always say, an opportunity to immerse yourself in canoes and canoe people for a long weekend to the exclusion of all other Reality. Do come and be with us. It’s a Very Nice Affair Indeed, and that’s No Foolin’…"

p.s. - I still like my Indy - it is my go to boat for day trips on local lakes - the extra 15lbs of weight and straighter keel line make it better than an ultralight boat for day trips.

Northstar still makes the Magic, doesn't seem to have changed much from the "Bell" Magic. The Northwind solo is noticeably fuller than the Magic- a solid stable craft but not as quick or responsive.

Moss -

"I am confused by your comparison above and how the Indy compares to a Magic.

The Magic is 6 inches narrower at the gunwale, 3 inches narrower at the waterline, 4 inches longer and almost no rocker where the Indy has 2.5 inches on both ends."

my Indy does not have 2.5" of rocker - more like 1" if that, so it is likely a different iteration of the same boat.  The Merlin we all test paddle had 2.5" of rocker - it was way turnier than my Indy and the Magic