Thanks to you both for your thoughts. Agree there is always going to be something of a compromise. Is the punt you're describing available commercially or a self-build? I've seen some good plans around and have been looking at some of Zack Taylor's designs in his 1974 book Successful Waterfowling (I've actually been lookng at these since I bought the book in 1978 so haven't made much progress). There is also a good sequence of photos on the web that follow someone building a Merrymeeting Bay design. That looks like a good rig. These look bombproof too: http://www.bankesboats.com/