Right you are. Stability and depth of the hull, (walls) is crucial. If you are going to be hunting or fishing in the late fall and early winter, you want an extremely stable craft with sides that are deep enough to prevent as much water as possible from entering the seating area. That was another major selling point for me on the Native Ultimates. A sit on style kayak, in Northern Michigan, or similar area, in late November on a windy waterfowl hunt could definitely make for a cold wet experience. Just remember, the key with any kayak, or canoe, is not to extend your arm reaching out for something. This will cause a major list in your craft and have a tendency to want to tip you or cause water to come over the sides. Either pull up next to or reel in whatever it is you want to grab, until it is right next to the hull of you craft, then reach down and grab it.