-- Last Updated: Oct-22-12 2:47 PM EST --
"Friends don't let friends paddle aluminum".
Frank, I seriously doubt that you live more than an hour, or hour & a half from my house.
I would be happy to show you a variety of solo canoes, in varied lengths, and let you test paddle some of them.
If interested, contact me by PM.
BOB
P.S. Yes, I have owned & paddled aluminum canoes.
My advice: If you chose to buy an aluminum canoe; buy a cheap, used one, instead of a new one.
I have purchased at least 25 Royalex, kevlar, or fiberglass, solo or tandem canoes, in very good to like new condition, for less than the price of a new Osagian.