I am building 2 Patuxent 17.5 (one for me and one for my wife). I am 6'5"...so I have long legs. The current design calls for a 30 inch. (length) cockpit opening. Having made a 'mockup' out of card board first, I determined I would make my cocket 3 inches longer...totaling 33 inches.

My question is this...am I crazy for wanting to be able to get in and out of this kayak WITHOUT sitting on the coaming doing a balancing act? I am seriously considering making my cockpit opening even longer (36 inches)...just to make sure I can get my size 13 feet out...what do you think?

Steve