I picked up the $3995 package on the 99 Willie 16 ft wide bottom guide model. I'm still getting used to it after rowing an Alumiweld for the last 10 years. I'm not convinced that the sharper upsweep of the bottom for and aft on these boats compared to a traditional Mckenzie design really makes a better handling boat yet. It does make it more difficult to stand in the front end of the boat because of the steeper incline. Another draw back is that with the bow sticking up in the air like a sail, its really had an effect on my truck gas milage when towing it. Another thing to consider is the $3995 package comes with the standard 0.1 inch bottom. Despite the use of the "aircraft grade" aluminum, I've found the bottom still dents easier than the 0.125 bottom that's standard on Alumiwelds. So if you float alot in low water or on more challenging streams you might consider upgrading to a thicker bottom. I would also avoid paying the $150 for the microthin applied bottom coating. Not only was the Coat-it applied very thin, the bottom was not prepped properly either. Large areas of the coating peeled off just from contacting with the trailer rollers. All in all though - its a pretty easy rowing boat -as long as you don't overload it.