Kent wrote, "...I mounted the seat farther forward (@2") so it would fit him a little better and I figure as he grows I will re-adjust the seat location. If I could figure out a way to adjust the seat without gluing it in it would be fine for others."

Matt Broze at Mariner Kayaks provides a sliding seat in many of his boats --- not to accomodate different sized paddlers but for a paddler to adjust his/her center of gravity to accomodate varying sea and wind conditions, and, to a lesser degree, to adjust for the load carried. Matt might consider selling you one of his sliding seats --- or at least explaining how it works --- and his site is definitely worth a visit.

Re my earlier post which may have sounded negative --- didn't mean it to, but I was concerned at the size and the hydronamic authority you had provided in the skeg --- or the finned area forward of the rudder. The fact that it tracks very well is certainly a given. My concern would be how the boat responds in a cross or quartering wind, and whether or not it might tend to leecock a fair amount. It looks like it might have a more serious tendency to have the reverse of the weathercocking problem I have with my North Bay --- where the bow form really digs in and tracks while the stern will skid out in chop or croswind. Somewhat disconcertingly, I'd add. Looks like your boat --- and, again, it's certainly a beautiful piece of work --- might tend to fall off at the bow in a good stiff quartering sea. Will be interesting to see how it handles in the wind.

Again, did not mean to sound negative in the midst of all the praise for work obviously so well done.

Jack Martin