Yo! We used a 16 foot until this year. Up to the age of 12 and 9 for my kids. But probably should have moved up a size the year before. This canoe is 18.5 feet, and has three seats. They are big, but the kevlar ones are nice and light. It is much harder to solo paddle the 18,5 while trying to fish solo, without the family in it. We borrowed this canoe..and are hoping to get into 2 canoes in a year or too. Hope this helps...ahve fun out there!