Considering that I will be spending two to three months sitting in the boat I decide to paddle, its selection is somewhat critical. My primary needs are; stability, easy wet re-entry or self rescue from a roll and wet exit, a place for Tagg to sit, low wind profile, and good cargo capacity. For easy self rescue it seems like an open cockpit will work best. An open cockpit also provides Tagg a place to sit. There are very few open cockpit boats out there that are for expidition travel. Klepper makes a number of folding boats, Eddyline the Shasta kayak and the Kruger Sea Wind canoe. Klepper folding boats seem like they will be to easily damaged during the harsh conditions of the trip. The Kruger has the reputation as a great boat but is to expensive for my budget. Thats leaves the Eddyline Shasta.
The Eddyline Shasta has been successfully paddled down the Missouri by a number of travelers, both skilled and not. The boat is of durable construction that can be easily repaired and has a great cargo capacity. In windy conditions having the rudder will be great benefit. So it looks like my boat desision is made. Now I just need to get my hands on one.