I'll agree with Os, and in fact I said above you may want to go bigger.
He's also right in the whitewater aspect. The Steelheader is an excellent boat, and can handle whitewater well if you're experienced at it, but it is kinda small for the inexperienced. (Actually, anything less then 12' is too small for serious whitewater in my opinion) But it will handle it. I've run my Steelheader through class 4's and was AOK. Just not alot of room for mistakes. Now talk about my 16', well it'd take one heckuva mistake on a class 4 to topple it (not that I haven't seen it happen, but not myself personally).
Good luck, and let us know what you get. I know Bill will take care of you. He took care of me when I bought my Steelheader from him (I only wish he had the bigger boats then).
Mind you, comparing the Steelheader to a Bucks Bag, Outcast, or JWoutfitters is like comparing apples and oranges. The steelheader is actually a fishing craft that you can fish from (not fish from the seat). I know, I've had others....
Jerry
PS, Hey Os!!!!! Tax return is coming shortly, get that pipebender ready and have the tubing available. I'm gonna have me a frame built!!!
------------------
you haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.