: I just posted a question on the techniques board which I might have posted
: here. The question is whether one should worry much about initial
: stability - how long would it take to get used to a boat with low initial
: stability?

: From my post on the techniques board: "In other words, should this be an
: important consideration in my selection of what to build?

: On the one hand, if I built a kayak with lower initial stability, I might be
: forced to improve my posture and technique in a short time and just get
: used to it. On the other hand, it might take a long time to get used to a
: tender boat and thereby limit my enjoyment of it."

: I linked to my post on the other board below. The boats mentioned in this
: thread are among those I'm considering.

: Apologies to Grant to the extent I'm horning in on his thread.

I really can't say how long it takes to get used to the stability - it's too early in the year for that. The problem I have is that I keep switching between the Patuxent and my old Walden Vision. After each time I use the Vision, the Patuxent feels very unstable. But when I use the Patuxent for two consecutive outings, it feels much better. Best guess is that I will be used to the Patuxent in about 10-15 hours of paddling - if I avoid the Vision.

And once you get the boat to cruising speed, the initial stability seems to stop being an issue.

I guess the short answer is that you should not let initial stability (or lack thereof) be the determining factor in selecting a boat.

I had the "benefit" of knowing that regardless of which boat I built, the characteristics would be drastically different than the Vision, and would take some getting used to. Now if I could just avoid using the Vision (there are places a 17.5' wood boat just shouldn't go)...