It's a good boat, classic lines, fast. If your concerned about initial stability I would check out there "new" re-designed plans rather than the ones in the older books. I honestly don't know what design changes they made by I would guess that it's a little wider and not as rounded on the bottom. If your an experienced paddler I would contact either moores or steve killing, he's the designer, and ask what the specific changes made were.... I like the faster but less initially stable redbird better... though I've admittedly never paddled the newer version. It's not a "hard" boat to build but it's not as easy as a Hazen design either. The lines do put quite a bit of stress on the strips as they form the bilge area but it's not as bad as the Hiawatha, another killing/moores boat. When you finish stripping it and look down it you'll immediately fall in love with the lines......... Have fun Doug K