whitetail - I am no expert either, limited experience and that is flat water paddling, but I know a bit. Its the same old issue: What will do best for a few different applications. Stability, maneuverability, shipping limits. If you are really going to be solo alot, depending on the canoe, you need 15 ft or less, light weight, at least some rocker, and a moderately round bottom hull. However, I do have a fiberglass 16 footer, weighing 63 lbs, that I can paddle well on flat water. Also, for solo, you will need to learn a few of the techniques, if you don't already know them, otherwise any canoe will be difficult to handle. It will also need to be a symetrical hull shape for going both directions equally well. The canoe with these characteristics will often be fine for two paddlers, but any trip over a day or two will require room for more gear, then you are in the 17 ft category. Kevlar is great, but fragile, and is appreciated by those that do a lot of portaging.

Hope this helps, sse

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