Yeah. After spending only $250 on the Moccasin though, I'm waiting for a price drop. I've never paid more than $1200 on any used canoe...yet.
My take is that the 1.5" difference in waterline width is a big deal. I had a Rapidfire that was another DY boat with similar specs to Merlin II but another 1.5" narrower at waterline and that boat was crazy quick and efficient. I'm about 6' and 180. I don't sit in the Merlin II and when I high kneel (one knee up, one down) for comfort I have to go back to full kneel in the Merlin in current/waves long before the Kee. I'm also kind of amazed that the Kee is fun for doing freestylish stuff on quiet water while the Merlin is no fun at all for me. But cruising I think the Merlin can cruise at 4.25 mph with same or less effort than Kee at 4 mph. Sometimes I push my boats a bit and the Kee will suck out a ton of energy above 4 mph while Merlin will pop up to higher speeds pretty easily (no problem holding 4.5 mph for 30 minutes). Sometimes my local river runs around 10000 cfs in the Spring. When I get on the river above 8000 cfs I take the Kee15.
I've wondered how the Merlin 2 compares with my Hemlock Kestrel. Not so much about which canoe is better but more about how they differ in speed/efficiency, maneuverability, and stability. I might like the Merlin 2 more than I want to.
I paid $1900 new for my Merlin II in 1999 (when they were rated for light whitewater and came with a thick gelcoat and no foam core) and I doubt I'd sell it for $5k used. I am not aware of any new composite canoe that can handle the abuse mine has taken...and so far no manufacturer has claimed to offer anything equivalent when I tell them I want something as durable as my Merlin II so I can ram partially sunken trees to get over them, pull over trees with me in the boat, and break ice.
No, I'd give the Merlin II an edge over the Magic. It's the Peregrine that has sticky ends. Honestly I think handling is one of the Magic's top features (decent speed, great handling for the small rocker, great seaworthiness, great versatility).
Steve, are the lakes frozen yet in the areas where the canoes are located.? If not. perhaps you could take a a test paddle on a nearby pond or stream. Do private sellers even do that option these days? Even if you wind up not purchasing, at least you will have had a scenic drive...
I think Kestrel is a touch quicker than Merlin II but quickness is also a strength of Merlin II and Merlin II is more maneuverable while maneuverability is a weakness of both. For me Kestrel was similar to Peregrine in feeling like it has sticky ends, but when I used to daydream about drag races I'd say Flashfire always jumps ahead on first stroke, Blackhawk Zephyr is catching Flashfire by 2nd or 3rd stroke, and by the 5th or 6th stroke the Kestrel might edge out the Zephyr. Not sure how you would assess the Magic.I've wondered how the Merlin 2 compares with my Hemlock Kestrel. Not so much about which canoe is better but more about how they differ in speed/efficiency, maneuverability, and stability. I might like the Merlin 2 more than I want to.
gumpus, your comment about the maneuverability of the Magic has me thinking I'd likely stay with the Kestrel.
I've paddled the Magic enough to have an idea of its performance and it's a wonderful canoe, but for my weight I prefer the Kestrel for its reduced length and width for paddling ease and maneuverability. Plus, I now have a fast solo tripper so the Magic would be somewhat redundant. I would like to try a Merlin 2 but I do believe there is no perfect canoe and that I could be happy with many of them. I mean a few of them. Well, several.
My guess is that you would appreciate the handling of the Merlin II but you'd conclude that the Kestrel is the better fit for you just as I believe the Merlin II is an ideal fit for me. I put a lot of miles on with a 60-65 pound lab and adding the dog made the trim perfect (slightly bow down) and the extra weight added a lot of momentum/glide (like over 25%) and felt ideal for my style of hit and switch (kneeling) cruising at a lower cadence than you use in your Classic.I've paddled the Magic enough to have an idea of its performance and it's a wonderful canoe, but for my weight I prefer the Kestrel for its reduced length and width for paddling ease and maneuverability. Plus, I now have a fast solo tripper so the Magic would be somewhat redundant. I would like to try a Merlin 2 but I do believe there is no perfect canoe and that I could be happy with many of them. I mean a few of them. Well, several.
