I don't know where your from, but Spring Creek Outfitters has most of the canoes your thinking about and could test paddle them as early as late Feb. That's when I paddled one as a local lake there is open early as the town power plant keeps the water a little warmer. Spring Creek is near Virginia, Minnesota. The Mn iv is a big boat, just to license it is like triple in Minnesota. I agree with the Souris River 18.5. Check 'em out at springcreek.com