Thanks to everyone who offered their thoughts.  I understand the portaging issue is a problem so I will ponder that a while.   My hope in buying the cover was to give me a bit of an edge paddling solo in the wind, which I have done very little of.  As time goes on I also find myself being interested more in the shoulder seasons, more so late in the year than early.  My solo an older Mad River Independence, and is only 11 ¾” deep at the center.   Cross winds and trailing seas tend to put water inside if the cover is not on, where headwinds are not so bad.  As to the issue of being warmer I will not be able to get full benefit from the velcroed apron, simply because I do not have the nerve to use it.  The thought of being upside down in the water and needing the presence of mind to undo the closure around my midsection does not sound like a good game plan for me.  My paddling time using the cover has been with the front and back pieces reefed, or at least the apron itself reefed. 

I will take it with me in mid September and try to sort out some of the questions.

Thanks again for all the help.

Regards,
MossBack