kypaddler - I have paddled my MN II since 1992. I am 206 lbs and most of my buds that go with me and sit in the bow are 190 -200. A MN II will handle that weight easily and like SoloTripper says ... just spread out your pack loads from bow to stern according to the weight of bow/stern paddlers and it is fine. Paddlers in my group have rented a Champlain from time to time and I have paddled it. Like Yellowbird said, I found it to certainly be more stable than my MN II, especially with heavy loads. However, it doesn't track nearly as well especially on very windy days. It also is quite a bit slower too.

Bottomline, I would go with the MN II.