Onchorynchus,

I read your goals and cant think of one boat that would definitely meet all of those. The outcasts are nice because of cost and the ability to portage/carry (especially the newer alum. frame ones--amazingly light) For bigger rivers the steelheader would probably be better, but will be much heavier especially with any decking. Like Osprey said, hope you have a small dog as none of these are prime for that kind of thing.

My advice would be to pounce on a used one, you'll be able to get the bigger 9/10 foot versions your thinking about. A new 9 or 10 foot model will most likely run over $1000 new, and you need to get composite oars no matter what, most of the oars that come stock with these things suck. I use cataracts on my outcast 800 and they are great, and they are two piece.