You might consider the Pygmy Boats Arctic Tern 14' S&G kit. The web site is www.pygmyboats.com. They've come out with several shorter, very maneuverable boat models lately. But if you're planning anything that approaches serious whitewater with big rocks, you may want to re-think the wood boat idea. Otherwise, a short, wood boat could be fine for Class I or easy Class II. Good luck.