I am thinking about getting a cover for my Magic. What are the pros and cons?

Which cover? There are more than one.

CCS covers roll back for portaging. The only problem is you do have to get your gear out.

Some large packs are tough to get under the covers, though CCS allows adjustment by adding an extra snap.

The covers aid in lessing windflow resistance over the hull. The keeping your pack dry is a given.

You do need to practice wet exiting with it before the trip. Now is not the time to try to remain capsize free. Make sure you know how to swim out of it.

I would get a CCS cover

I am also considering a cover for my voyager. For those who have them, do you leave them on most of the time? What do you do at portages? Also, do you just get the bow and stern sections or do you have the cockpit section as well?

Admittedly I only cover when on really big ocean like lakes. I don't use it for portage to portage stuff usually. It does get hot in there...

Mine is a two piece cover by CCS. It does roll up and out of the way so no reason NOT to use it on portage trips! There are reefing straps.

I guess a con would be if you hooked your own cover fishing.

for the BW i think covers are more of a hassle than they are worth. most of the time they are not necessary at all, when they are they will give you a false sense of security. when you are an expert with your canoe, and have a trip planned on the nahanni, or the huge lakes in northern manitoba, then yes. but for the BWCA, way overkill.

I have a CCS cover for my Merlin II and it's awesome. Its pretty easy to get your pack out of the back, just a few snaps on one side. Reefing the front cover is not bad either. All in all it might add a minute at the landing until you get the hang of it.

I have not used it with the collar delployed, that would add time. Should be pretty rare that you'd need to do that but when you did you'd be plenty glad you had the cover and not thinking about it as being a hassle.

You can remove the cover if its nice and you prefer not to have it on.

I got a paddle holder and map case on mine, both of which I'd recommend, so I keep mine on the whole trip.

Solo canoe cover

I would recommend moving your stern thwart UL to about four inches being your seat to maximize volume/trim if you have not already done that. If you feel the need, add a short thwart farther back, just leave plenty of room to mov your pack around.

Did not reply earlier but I am also a fan of covers CCS in particular!
Really makes a difference in the wind, keeps bags dryer in the rain, and cleaner overall.
I have dumped my old solo canoe with the cover on and was happy to have installed it! Kept gear inside and the canoe just kept rolling upright with little water taken on.
Tools and install were simple.
Right after installation.
After soaking with water and shrinking.
I like my covered canoe, and do not think it any inconvenience. Just a few snaps to access the gear/packs, it will stay on thru the whole trip including portages. Really helps a solo handle windy conditions on the water.
My old Wenonah Moccasin with it's cover.


butthead

Looks great, Ken.