Kingfisher wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2011 at 11:03am:

I like the MNII over the Champlain almost anytime but especially with a lighter load. Yellowbird and I cursed our Champlain for 10 days on one trip. We both weigh under 175 lbs even with wet boots on and there was just too much bow exposed to the wind on the Champlain.

My perspective began on day one, loaded and traveling.  It was a tracking issue.  The boat just seemed too squirrelly. I was surprized at the effort it took to keep the boat on a straight line, even with minimal wind influence.  KF took the stern on day two.  When asked how he liked the boat, his impression was alike to mine. 

Fishing wise (without travel loads), the Champlain is a stable boat and rides high over the waves.  When trolling deep over the large central lake basins, I felt more comfortable than with a boat having less wind exposure and better tracking.  On these days I prefer the stability, and don't care so much about tracking, since the trolling involves more zig-zagging and/or following the lake bottom contours.

-YB