bill, I haven't paddled or built that model, coho and pygmy13 only. A person whose experience is extensive and builds production boats felt it was tracked too well. You sound like you know what you want, if that's what you want go for it. I bought my Mariner sight unseen on someone elses opinion that I understood and don't regret the decision. This is paddling,remember, not getting the right ideal. Not sure what you mean by responsive: light and accelerates easily? or turns in a particular way that you like? The coho is responsive (maneuverable),accelerates easily,but is a little big for my ideal of responsive. Maybe if you described other boats that you've paddled and liked you might get feedback that will get you closer to some ideal. It may not be in the S&G kit market. Since most of my paddling is not 100% lung burning I find responsive is a characteristic manueverability more than straight line speed. Thinking of a Pintail for example or a Sirius for more tracking, both "responsive" but very different.