I'm looking to get a Bell Magic once I can find a good used one, and in anticipation have been looking at different portage packs. Those of you with Magic's or similar boats, what kind of packs do you use & how do you configure them in your boats? I've always wanted something like a CCS Pioneer pack, but am unsure how well it would fit in a Magic. Any thoughts would be appreciated - thanks!

dan

A CCS Pioneer pack will fit in a magic. Id put that right behind your seat (in my Merlin II i made a new rear thwart about 4" behind my seat to make pack placement easier) Along with a smaller pack in the bow that you can shift fore and aft to help with trim. Often on my solo trips I put a smaller backpack inside the Pioneer pack so I only have one pack to carry on the portages, but then I split them back up for paddling so I can adjust trim.

I'm pretty sure that's a "CCS Pioneer" behind PJ.

butthead

MN Dan

I Pioneer pack will fit behind the seat in a Bell Magic.

If you are like me you will have a second, smaller pack that can go up in the bow and help with trim.

I have paddled a Magic, just don't own one. I do the same in my Prism with the Pioneer pack behind me and my second back as far up in the bow as it will go. I also have a thwart bag I put near my feet or hang it over the thwart.

Thanks, everyone - the Pioneer looks like the ticket. That picture of the Magic with the dog is awesome! So is it possible to 1-pass portages when traveling solo? Seems like it would be tough unless you had a way to affix your second pack to the front of your body.

Legend has it this can be done. I've never done it and don't really expect to. You need to get real light on gear for that, or be an ox i guess.

I would not hang pack in front of me in any situation, especially solo. I've carried a thwart bag that way but could always see my toes. Don't want to trip or turn an ankle.

I also use the two pack system, main pack behind me (a Numbis GN, which would be a squeeze in Magic) and a rucksack up front. I carry the rucksack with the canoe. Both loads are 50-60lbs total, a very manageable load, plus I have enough stuff to be comfy when I get to camp.

Here is my Magic packed with Duluth packs (Timber Cruiser, Front Portage Pack, Thwart Bag and Number 51 for a day pack. I carry the day pack and thwart bag with the boat. I really don't mind double carries - it's nice to get out of the boat occasionally and I don't want to carry more than fifty pounds if I can avoid it. In any event multiple packs make it easy to trim the canoe, but I do a pack count at every portage - haven't lost one yet. I guess the real answer to your question is you will be surprised at all the stuff you can fit into the Magic.

quote Water Dog30: "Here is my Magic packed with Duluth packs (Timber Cruiser, Front Portage Pack, Thwart Bag and Number 51 for a day pack. I carry the day pack and thwart bag with the boat. I really don't mind double carries - it's nice to get out of the boat occasionally and I don't want to carry more than fifty pounds if I can avoid it. In any event multiple packs make it easy to trim the canoe, but I do a pack count at every portage - haven't lost one yet. I guess the real answer to your question is you will be surprised at all the stuff you can fit into the Magic. "

Wow, that's alot of packs. How long were you in for?

My usual trips are for 5 to 7 nights, but I suspect the number of packs I use would be about the same for a one or 14 night stay. My system works well for me anyway. None of the packs are individually very large or heavy and I pack mostly freeze-dried food and hope the fish are feeling suicidal which is about the only time I actually catch anything. Freeze-dried meals get old about day three....

I use a 2 pack system also in my Magic. I use a GG Superior One, that fits very snuggly directly behind my seat, and yes it lays flat. In the bow I have a Kelty Redwing. I cinch down the side compression straps to make the Superior One narrower, so I can't load it up to it's capacity. It works well, and I carry everything I need.

I have a magic in white gold with wood trim... Fantastic boat. I use two of the 70L sealine packs along with a CCS twart bag for quick grab items. I double portage. I also think its silly to strap a pack to the front of yourself. You r going to trip... What is the rush?i think people only do it to say they single portage.. Like a bragging right or something, its weird to me!
I can adjust my trim by grabbing the packs and sliding fore or aft. Tie a piece of cord to the haul straps so its easy to grab from your seat. My magic with a CCS seat pad doesnt even need a yoke to portage, it is comfortable enough for up to 150 rod portages or so.