As with anything, money talks. A Scoutmaster friend of mine had a lot of praise for the Wenonah kevlar boats the scout troop used at the Boundary Waters. Light weight is a very good thing.
Of course, fun may be had in any canoe. I still have a 19' Grumman aluminum that has been with us 30+ years, has a square transome for a motor, has a sailing kit, paddles great, but weighs so much it requires a trailer. That thing holds enough junk for 3 people...the "Family Truckster" of canoes. All my other boats are kayaks or sailboats.