I have the Chesapeake 17. I love it! It is fun to paddle and handles well. Of course, it looks like you've pretty much handled that decision. As far as teh regular version vs. the LT, it seems as if Rich has some pretty good arguments. If I had to do it all over, I would still have built the Ches. 17, but then again, I have size 13.5 feet, and I'm 6'-6", and need all the knee-room I can get. I must agree, though, that it is a bit prone to wind-action. Not a lot, but it is noticeable. My corrective strokes have become second-nature, though, so I don't really think about it much unless it's really windy. It has more than enough volume - I don't think that taking 1" off the deck height would be a significant decrease in volume--you'd still have plenty.

Shawn

> Dave, \I recently finished (from a kit) & launched a CLC 18LT. I'm
> 6'2" 195-200 lbs with size 11 1/2 feet. I went to the CLC shop in
> Annapolis & did a "test-sit" in all of their models. the
> Chesapeakes, from the 16 on up were extremely roomy & felt XL to me.
> The LT's are the same hull design but the side panels of the hull are
> 1" or so narower - hence the lower freeboard & lower volumn. I
> started paddleing whitewater - so anything that dosen't fit like an
> undersized sock feels spacious to me. However I thought that the LT's had
> plenty of cockpit room. The cockpit is very long & there's plenty of
> foot room (sitting with my feet splayed out somewhat). In terms of volumn
> most of my paddling is day trips with a few 1 or 2 overnighters and
> hopefully an annual one week overnighter. The LT will give me all the gear
> room I'll need for that. The Ches. with its highter volumn will haul all
> that + much more - enough for an extended expedition. Also I think that
> the lower profile on the LT will be less prone to wind action than the
> full size Ches. Good Luck, Rich