I have been reading all the replies to my post (thanks everyone) and trying
to decide on a kayak. I have gotten emails from both CLC and Pygmy. Pygmy
recommended the Osprey Std or the Artic Tern 14. I have read several posts
that the Tern wouldn't be stable enough. CLC recommended the Ches 16LT
(they said the 14 wouldn't be stable enough). I had considered the Mill Creek 15 but CLC's catalogue says it's harder to build. This will be my first
attempt to build anything. I like the looks of the Ches 16LT over the Mill
Creek but wonder now if the stablility of the Mill Creek better suits my
needs. I will do more day paddling than anything, exploring the bayou that
I live on. The Swifty I have now is rock solid stable (which I like) but is
soooo slow. I don't need a fast boat but the Swifty takes hours to get
anywhere. I also like the Swifty's (and probably the Mill Creek's) large
cockpit - being able to keep my camera gear handy. I will probably rarely
venture into any long distance paddling, maybe just the occasional river
trip, but don't foresee ever having to carry much gear. I do get
uncomforable paddling my Swifty which I think is more positional than
anything. My feet are so far apart (it's about 33" wide) that my hips and
lower back start to ache. There's not much seat adjustment that I can do to
fix that either. Stopping and straightening my legs out directly in front
of me alleviates the discomfort. How is the Mill Creek's slatted seat? The Swifty is a short boat (about 9'4") as opposed to the longer Mill Creek or Ches 16LT.
I guess what it comes down to is this ... I like the stability of the Swifty
but need something more comfortable and faster. There are many places down
the bayou that I want to visit and I need a more efficient boat to get me
there. I need to be able to turn it relatively easy as there are plenty of
Cypress trees to maneuver around. Will the Mill Creek be any quicker than
my Swifty? I know the Ches 16LT would be. I have asked CLC if there are
any boats in my area that I can paddle but have not gotten a reply yet.
There is a Ches 16LT in New Orleans (thanks Ronnie) which is about a 5 hour
drive away ... I might have to take a trip down there and paddle it.
About the building of the kayaks ... from what I have read, the Pygmy Boats
supposedly go together easier and the CLC boats need some shaving and sawing
to get the pieces to line up. Is this true? How difficult is this?
Any more suggestions?
Jenny