The other thing I forgot to mention above. If you take any lessons, you'll find that doing a paddle float re-entry is really tough with a high, stiff seat back. I wrote to Aquaterra and Necky and tried to convince tem to stop doing that on their beginners boats. As you slide your body across the back of the boat, the seat back stabs you in the gut making it almost imposible to get back in. Sometimes it gets stuck on the bottom of your PFD.