> 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 built an Artic Tern this winter and love it. I paddle in Puget Sound and expect a variety of conditions. It out-turns most boats that have rudders, and is the fastest boat that I have paddled. It is quick and seems to be able to maintain a fast pace without too much effort. It tracks wonderfully, and is a blast in waves. Now whenever I am paddling I am looking for chop to play in. I fell in love with the lines of the boat, but it's the performance that does it for me now. I was thinking about bulding a stripper for myself sometime in the future, but I am so happy with this boat that I couldn't see myself wanting anything else for myself. I haven't paddled a Coho yet but I will check it out before I build a boat for my wife. The Arctic Tern is great for learning how to do leaned turns because it responds so well. I have not had problems in the wind like my friends have had in other boats. At 220 lbs. it should be great for you. I'm 165, 5'11" and usually add some balast to improve the handling, but it is fine without the balast. I have size 10 feet and have enough room for them. I doubt you would go wrong with either boat, the Coho should be faster, and the Arctic Tern should turn better and perform better in following seas, because of it's upswept stern. The Arctic Tern should be a little easier to build because of fewer hull panels.