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Water Dog30
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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.
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mr.barley
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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?
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Water Dog30
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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....
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mooseplums
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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.
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TIMMY
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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.
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MNDan
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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
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mwd1976
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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.
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butthead
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I'm pretty sure that's a "CCS Pioneer" behind PJ.
butthead
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bogwalker
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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.
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MNDan
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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.
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Merganser
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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.
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