> Dave, I built a Mill Creek and think it is a wonderful boat for paddling. I have built a few other quicky S&G canoes as well as kayaks and I don't think you will get a nice paddling boat out of three panels. I was surprised to discover how easy it is to assist tracking by being able to shift ones weight fore and aft. It is wide but the waterline width doesn't feel wide. I made a seat that has me about 2 1/2 inches off the bottom, knees fit under the deck(foam braces), I can brace securely in this boat and surf little waves with a lot more control and manueverability than a long boat. Also a regular length paddle for me 225cm clears the deck just fine. If you do consider the mill creek and let kids climb all over it (or big kids) the knees need to be reinforced at the bottom panel,mine has hailine cracks at the chine, then again maybe a 180lb. person shouldn't be using it as a drum while the kids are snorkeling underneath it upside down. Lee