Thanks for all your helpful responses. I understand the value of getting a good plan regardless of price. It seems you all agree that a boat style should be chosen before a plan is picked. Could anyone recommend a boat type that would be good primarily for river touring, with occasional camping, lake superior day trips, and ocean trolling. I am from Wisconsin, where rivers are most common and I usually keep to class I. However, I do get to lake superior occasionally, and also to the gulf for very occassional trolling on the ocean. I have to say the Baidarka at least looks the part. I'm afraid many of the benefits of sea kayak design elude me. I do know rocker, keel lines and other basic comcepts, however, design elements like the upswept stems and delta forms are beyond my knowledge. Do I need 3 boats or can I get one middle of the road boat to do it all fairly well? I have been paddling a Pheonix Isere 14'9" shallow V for about 20 yrs. Thanks - Scott