Hi, folks; I've been lurking and reading archive posts for some time now. This is a great resource! Thanks to everyone here. About me: I'm just finishing my first boat (Pygmy Goldeneye-HI, for my size 13 feet), and live in Kingston, WA.

My question is this (and I sort of suspect a resounding "No!!!!!" as an answer ...): If there is a kayak design I really like, except I wish that it was about 1.5 inches narrower (based on test paddles of completed boats), is it possible to just buy the kit, then trim .75" off of the outside of each keel panel and trim the side panels as needed to fit the altered keel? I'd like for this to be true, but as I said, suspect that this might have unforseeable effects.

Any ideas or comments? The kit I'm considering this on is a Pygmy Queen Charlotte. I love the hard chine, flat deck, and Greenland-influenced design, and would like something around 17', but would like the boat a bit narrower.

I guess my fall back would be a North Bay XL; CLC just informed me that they could add 1" additional deck height for a small fee, which would let me fit my feet (I'd also substitute the standard CLC cockpit for my 6'4", 220lb frame ...). However, this boat is 18'6", which is longer than I really want ...

Best Regards to all of you!
Bill Graham