You might also want to look at Pygmy Boats. They make several models that are regarded as fast.

The Osprey HP Narrow hull multi-chin, good straight line speed

The Coho Wider hull multi-chin, designed as a touring boat, reputed to be a good compromise between speed and maneuverability

The Arctic Tern Hard chine boat, also designed for touring. It should carve turns slightly better than the Coho. But it will have a slightly lower top speed.

I am currently building a Osprey Standard (a shorter 15ft 8in version of the Osprey HP) and have a Coho Kit waiting in the box to be started. The Osprey is for my son the Coho will be for me.

I do not have a lot of experience but from what I have read. All other things being equal (and they never are) a hard chine boat like the Pygmy Arctic Tern or CLC Chesapeake will have slightly better maneuverability than a multi-chine boat. This is due to using the chines to assist in the tern. However due to a lower wetted surface area the multi-chine hull boats, like a Pygmy Coho or a CLC West River 18, will be slightly faster. Based on this a hard chine boat might be a good choice.

Pygmy has an good web site (not fancy but informative) the URL is

My decision to get the Coho was based on an article in Sea Kayaker Magazine. You might want to check it out.

I hope this helps