Lorna I have a Yare that i built about 8 or 10 years ago that i have been paddling ever since. As has been posted this boat has a number of qualities that you may or may not be looking for. It is not going to feel like othet sea kayaks you have probably paddled. this design is very responsive and not very stable at all. that is not to say that you will be limited to flat lakes i have had mine out of site of land in both the atlantic and on lake erie. keeping it upright in a chop does require CONSTANT attention and will be unnerving to even experienced paddlers however. another thing to note is that it has about enough storage volume for you lunch and that's it. i have been camping out of it but it was a very spartin affair. this boat does have one feature that i have not found equaled in any other boat i have paddled. it will slice through flat water at leasurly speeds almost efortlessly. its wetted surface area is very low and it is incredably stiff, so when you arn't required to spend any energy keeping the boat upright you hardley spend any at all. paddling this boat on a glassy surface in the evening is an almost relegious experience. but please remember one important thing. my words and those of anyone else advising you are almost worthless in comparison to your own feelings after paddling the boat for yourself. a kayak is an extention of your body and it needs to fit and to feel right beyond all other things.

Dave