Luus,

If you plan on doing much photography, or birdwatching with binoculars, you will want a kayak with decent initial stability.

I think the Spring Run is also good for more advanced paddlers, I just think it might be a little easier for novice to start out in.

If you can try to paddle any of the kayaks you are interested in. If you can't decide based on desired performance characteristics, choose the prettier kayak design. You'll get used to paddling just about any kayak you build, you might as well have one you like the looks of too.

Mike

: Thanks Mike!

: I will mostly be paddling the rivers and lakes of northern Minnesota. Some
: are protected and flat water but most of the larger lakes can get quite a
: bit of chop up.

: I am interested in a boat that I can have fun exploring with and do
: birdwatching and photography in. I'd also like to not limit myself too
: much to a strictly beginner's boat that I might grow out of too quickly.
: I'd like a boat I can feel comfortable with but build my skills on.

: I have had very limited experience paddling and can only recall the
: manufacturer's name but not specific boat names. My limited experience
: makes it difficult to say what I do and don't like in a boat, in large
: part adding to the frustration of choosing a suitable first kayak to
: paddle and build.

: Thanks for the help and suggestion to look at the Silver

: Luus