Hi Wade, for your purpose (paddlemaking) you just need the straight flat-sole shave. I agree with the others that it's not really the best tool for fairing; your knuckles get in the way. I used a little bronze double-radius plane plane from Woodcraft for that. Next time I think I would try one of the double-radius wood planes from Japan Woodworker (JW). The Woodcraft and the JW planes are both under $100 which is rare for a specialty plane.

I happen to really like spokeshaves for uses other than fairing. I haven't tried the Veritas model but I'd just as soon have two or three cheaper shaves than one fancy one. I have the Record shaves (one flat and one concave). The concave is good for shaping long concave curves like a sheer clamp. I also have a chairmaker's shave from Clifton (round blade). It looks cool but doesn't really do much more than the others.

I hope this helps,
Chip (aka Capt'n K)
http://www.ChipSandresky.com