> I am looking to purchase a full kayak kit and am having trouble finding
> objective comparisons between the various companies. Does anyone know
> where I can find reveiws of these. If it matters, I am most interested in
> Pygmy Boats' kits vs. Chesapeake Light Craft.Thanks

you won't find objective comparisons except with regards to dimensional data. Kayaks are extensions of a paddlers skill,and building skill. there is a wonderful raft of experience in this board. I have built a pygmy coho and think it is a wonderful large capacity touring sea kayak for typical 175lb person, the clc 16 is a good sea kayak for me in high winds,I weigh 180 lb. The clc North bay is surprisingly maneuverable for it's length,although it weathercocks a bit it's low profile compensates some. For my personal taste the standard pygmy and osprey are hard to turn but once again that's personal taste, I don't particularly like four panel (hard chine)kayaks handling characteristics in rough water but once again , personal taste. four panel boats are easy to stack on edge. I think an individual builders ability to use epoxy efficiently has more bearing than whether one manufacturer advertises 39 lbs or 41 lbs for the weight of a similar length boat. My guess is that some design characteristics reflect where the designers paddle their boats and the designers experience and in paddling. The pygmy boats have big easy to get in and out of cockpits, but a little harder to have deep thigh braces, etc,etc,etc,

at some point the decision to pick a boat can be money, esthetics, and gleanings from others experience. I have found the best opinions I have received is from people I have paddled with.