Several people have mentioned this boat as a good choice for someone my size. It sounds like it would be great for continuing to explore the Cape, etc. Would it be big enough to paddle between the Maine Islands on a 5-day trip? The light weight and shorter length sound good. Thanks for the help. Linda

> linda, I have built a pygmy 13. I don't know of any other S&G kits that
> fit your size. This may sound like too much trouble but that kit with
> maybe another 1/2" freeboard would be ideal. I am strongly
> considering building another and cutting another set of side panels for
> that extra freeboard...there might be a little fudging to get the deck to
> fit,but I think it is doable. My sister is the max size for this boat
> 5'5" 125# but with a little more volume I think you would have a
> killer all around kayak.

> one of the basic things that most folks don't consider is that at cruising
> speeds a smaller boat is just easier to paddle, a smaller boat can be
> stronger for the weight. My penchant for overbuilding still made this boat
> only about 32 lbs with more rock bashing strenth than any 17 ft boat I've
> made.

> there are plastic boats out there for about the price of a kit that you
> also might consider as a worthwhile instant boat. Wilderness Systems
> Piccolo comes to mind.