I'm not sure what to make of this.  It's cool Old Town is coming out with a hybrid.  But for $1,000.00 I would expect something more.  It does seem to be low in weight which you can't say about most sit-on-tops.  

 

 

 

 

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/16133/Old-Town-NEXT-Canoe.html

Try it first if you can. All yaks have different tendencies. My OT angler 10 sucks wind. I hate fishing out of that thing. Uncomfortable, doesn't track at all.

I would never spend a grand on that, just my .02 though.

Looks like an Ultimate "lite". Being an Old Town I'm sure it is a nice paddle.

 I have an old town predator for duck hunting love that thing! Different animal altogher though.

 That Old Town Next might be good $500.00 hybrid but $1,000.00, no way.  

Just as a point of clarification, the NEXT is a hybrid canoe, not a kayak.  Completely different paddling and handling characteristics.  A good friend of mine has one, and I witnessed it's handling characteristics up close and personal and can say from the naked eye test, it is lightweight, very fast (for those with proper paddling technique) and relatively stable.  Time on the water in one is the only cure for satisfying your personal questions.

 That Old Town Next might be good $500.00 hybrid but $1,000.00, no way.  

 

 

I was thinking that would look at home next to the $300 jobbers at Ocean State Job Lot.

Anyone say Wenonah Fusion???

$700-$1000 is the going rate for most new canoes so the price isn't out of line for a new canoe. Like Hanover_ Yakker said the only way to know whether you like one or not is to paddle one for yourself. That goes for any paddle craft.