I will be going to Sebring next week to help decide what kit I would like to build. I am looking for your thoughts and experiences on things I should look at to help my decision. The aircraft that meet my mission are the RV-12, Zenith CH-650 and the Sonex. The factors driving my decision are useable load (I am fat, 235 lbs), ease and time of construction, and I need to be cost conscious. I will be a first time builder and am still a student sport pilot. Following are my current observation:

RV-12.
PROS: Looks like the easiest to build with everything included in the kit and match drilled parts
The support of many in the VAF world.
CONS: Don’t care for the Rotax, would probably go E-AB with the Jabaru 2200.
Don’t care for the flarerons, prefer standard flaps.
Vans does not support any changes to their perfect design. It says so in one of the first pages of the instruction manual.

CH-650:
PROS: Best looking of the three.
Wing fuel tanks.
CONS: Seems to be more fabrication, skins not cut to size and parts not match drilled.

Sonex
PROS: Built to exceed LSA speed rules, wider safety range in structure strength.
Aerobatic. Not really important but the ability to do a few barrel rolls could be fun.
CONS: Lower Gross weight.
Interior doesn’t look too comfy, but I will find out at Sebring.