> I am a soon to be first time wood kayak builder who is absolutely torn
> between whether to buy the Pygmy Arctic Tern or Coho kits. I live on the
> east coast and paddle primarily in/around coastal waters of both the
> Atlantic and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay with plans for occasional
> overnighters along the coast or intercoastal and a long term dream of
> paddling the length of the Chesapeake Bay in a kayak which I built. I am
> 6'1", 220 and a size 11 shoe. I guess my biggest dilema in choosing
> between the two designs rests in performance differences of the hard chine
> hull of the Arctic Tern and the multi-chine hull of the Coho. Anybody have
> experience with either of the kayaks, particularly the Arctic Tern? I read
> the Sea Kayaker review of the Coho from last winter. Thanks!

I finished a Pygmy Osprey Std a few weeks ago, and started an Artic Tern for my wife. I chose the Tern over the Coho because of the angle of the deck. Like the Osprey, the Tern's deck is nicely curved (separate panel) going down to the sheer seam, so your hands won't hit the boat when you're paddling. As far as multi-chine vs. hard chine, it's really a matter of what you are used to. Sure the hard-chine boats are a little more stable initially, but when you get into a boat like the Osprey (hard chine), it's seems a little tipsy at first, but then all it wants to do is go, it's easy to keep a good pace when you're paddling, and handles 1-2 foot waves with no problem. You can't go wrong with either hull design, just remember the Ospreys and Terns do have that angled panel at the sheer seam and it does make a difference.