Thanks Mike!

I will mostly be paddling the rivers and lakes of northern Minnesota. Some are protected and flat water but most of the larger lakes can get quite a bit of chop up.

I am interested in a boat that I can have fun exploring with and do birdwatching and photography in. I'd also like to not limit myself too much to a strictly beginner's boat that I might grow out of too quickly. I'd like a boat I can feel comfortable with but build my skills on.

I have had very limited experience paddling and can only recall the manufacturer's name but not specific boat names. My limited experience makes it difficult to say what I do and don't like in a boat, in large part adding to the frustration of choosing a suitable first kayak to paddle and build.

Thanks for the help and suggestion to look at the Silver

Luus

: Luus,

: The two kayaks are vastly different. They may look similar, but the Guillemot
: is very manueverable while the Spring Run tracks very straight. The Spring
: Run is still quite maneverable if leaned. The Spring Run is higher volume.
: The cockpit will be roomier, but may require more padding for a snug fit.
: The Spring Run should be a little easier for a beginner to start paddling.
: The Guillemot will require more skill to keep it going straight. Stability
: should be similar on both kayaks, as well as speed. Both are good kayaks,
: but I think the average novice would feel more comfortable in the Spring
: Run.

: All this advice is without knowing where you are planning to paddle. If you
: give us more specific information we could give you better advice. Have
: you paddled other kayaks? If so, what ones, and what did you like about
: them.

: You might also want to look at the Silver by Redfish. It is a lower volume
: kayak than the Spring Run and may be a little better suited for a
: "smaller" paddler such as yourself.

: Mike Hanks