Paddle, Paddle, Paddle-loaded/empty.......Shallow arch bottoms are typical more stable in big water-but feel a little funky gettin in-but you probably know all this anyway. Are you comfortable with the beam-broad shoulders-long torso.....do the packs fit? The more rocker the more manueverable=more corrective strokes/ the flatter the keel line the more draws and such in tight creeks/rivers. Do the Frost in a MN2, or prism for that matter, and you'll understand what I mean. Are you planning to install rock guards on the stems-this changes the rocker!Think about the time that you have for maintenance and how you are going to store the boat-Wood is work- especially outside-is the aesthetic important?.....Do you have the knowledge and tools to re-rail the boat when the wood in done? Think about the portage yoke-Can you carry a the boat with a pack- with the manufacture's style of yoke. Do you need a solo or could you get by with a small tandem.....? If ya R a big person think about it.....in relation to the length of trips, the gear that you carry, and the people that you want to trip with. I am small person- 145 lbs-and after traveling for years with my boy I had to make a switch up to a small tandem-partial to Bell-went from a Creekrunner(discontinued) to a Star Series boat. I fish the boat solo but in wind I need a little weight. I also have the the smallest fire series from Bell-and I dont really care for it-for sale!Think about fit and finish not every boat is the same even if it is the same manufacturer....look it over. I did a lot of paddling-rented boats to trip in- to find the compromise-and any boat's design is a compromise. ANY. Tried Souris, Wenonah, Bell, and such. What feels right to U? 4 me this was the question pondered....Hope this helps. NOw if I had the money and my boy was a bit older and I had the opportunity to buy a small Selega-would have done it!