A 14' wide aluminum will handle 2 big adults in lakes
and calm inshore days.

In other words, a 14' boat should handle one mid-size adult, one
small-size adult, and one young children. Thanks for the confirmation.

12' weighs about 20# less, and carries about 200# less.
Most aluminum 14-16 foots will handle 2-3 people.

Seem like the range goes like this:
12' 1.5 adults
14' 2.5 adults
16' 3.5 adults
18' 4.5 adults

If this is true, a 17' boat just fits 4 adults, and a 18' fits 4 adults
and adds some safety margin. Sound good to me.

Just by a bimini top for the boat. Not very
costly, and saves lots of dermatologist costs.

Yes, this is a MUST to me.

Jay Chan