RE: going to try instead of arf.
Sig Somethin' Extra, hands down. Flies like a trainer when you need it to, and gets up and goes when you want it to. Laser cut kit and excellent instructions make this plane an easy, fun build.
Durable, stable flight characteristics and unlike a trainer you will not outgrow it in a single season.
I mean it- even though it has good aerobatic capabilities, it will float in for landing and is a superb touch-n-go machine.