Ok, perhaps this belongs in the beginners forum, but I'm feeling chatty tonight, and this is something that has bothered me for a while..

See, I don't do anything like backcountry canoeing - much. I haven't done anything with a canoe since boy scouts. I certainly know there are places here I wouldn't mind going for a paddle and camp, but frankly, don't know where to start as far as boats go. Yet, when I look around there is such a horrific price and feature difference, I don't have a clue - so I don't bother trying to figure it out, and just go somewhere I can walk - something I can do easily <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Is it just me, or is the price range of canoes wildly insane? sure, there is feature this and feature that, but I can't help but thinking that if I give up and buy one I'm just walking into the old trap of getting upsold on something I don't really need, and ending up with the equivalent of a freighter canoe for class 5 whitewater cargo with 3 friends as opposed to something I can enjoy wandering around with with usually myself and maybe another, and
occasionally go through some riffles and bumps.

So, how does a newb go about finding a canoe? I'm perfectly willing to spend money where it's warranted, but hate paying for extra junk or creeping featuritis or stuff I'll never use.. Jim? is all the marketing as much BS as I think it is and I should just find one? or is there things to look for?