Love the Magic!

Paddlers' Place
#1

Took my new Northstar Magic out for a spin in the wind today. When we started, it was probably 8 with gusts to 10, and dropped the whole time we were out. Still getting the feel of the boat, but I love the way it paddles!

I told my better half a week or so ago that I thought it cruised at sea kayak speed when I used a double blade. Hadn’t used a GPS to check that, but that’s how it felt. So this morning, she came with me to a local lake in her kayak, and said “I’ll wait for you if I get too far ahead”. Famous last words…

I used a double bladed paddle, and kept up with her unless we were going upwind, and even then I’d catch up with a short sprint. And when she sprinted, I kept up as well. She’s very competitive, and wasn’t too pleased about me keeping up when we finished. Saved face by saying that if I used a single blade, I wouldn’t be able to keep up. Well, that’s why I used the double!

The 220 cm paddle I used feels a little short, but it works well. I’m thinking a high angle 230 would be perfect. Very happy!

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#2

What kind of drops do you have in your boat? Were you sitting or kneeling for this high speed run?

I have had my eye on a NS Magic, but it is way over the horizon for me at this point.

Thanks,

Kirk

#3

I saved my pennies for few years as well, but worth it, IMO. At the moment, I have the stock drops and seat, and had a footbrace installed when they built it. I can’t kneel anymore, so sitting with the footbrace is necessary to get the same connection with the boat. Made sense, because I also have a couple of sea kayaks, so the setup with the canoe made perfect sense to me, and it felt natural almost immediately.

#4

Thanks very much, great info.

Glad the Magic is working out for you.

#5

Got a Bending Branches Navigator double blade with adjustable length & tried it out today. 230 cm is perfect length for me. Nice & light, too, so cruising for 4 miles with only one quick rest stop was a piece of cake. And if I think I need more length, I have another 10 cm I can add. But 230 feels natural. Happy

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