A $200 boat that floats can be a lot of fun. More fun on a river, though, where gravity does some of the work.

I've paddled a number of Colemans over the years, and had loads of fun in them. From a technical point of view, no great expectations: they are what they are. A tough little bathtub.

Hull speed? Never heard of it. Secondary stability? That's what life jackets are for.

But you know, even when we get a Clipper (DW is a canoe snob) I'd still pick up a $200 Coleman for fun. Duct tape a whole lot of 'D' model rocket engines to it and hit the switch at night. Nephews would think that was really cool. J-stroke is passe.