Not to get off the topic but, Bruce how do you find the North Bay? I am looking at some CLC choices and really like the Greenland style though I have never paddled one. I m a bit concerned about their "expert only" recomendation for th North Bay in that I figure it means your likley to roll a lot and my roll back up is not as confident as I'd like it to be. Still, it just has a nicer look than the Chesapeak LT17 and West River 162 I am also looking at. BTW, I am 5'7" and 140 lbs. but still need a bit of moving room due to some joint problems if that matters for response.

: I have a North Bay Xl it is fairly stable and very fast. It leans well for
: turns . Slight weather cocking If you have any skills no skeg is
: required.It is a long boat so it takes a bit of work to paddle. Foot room
: may be a problem if you are a very large paddler. I fit with size 11 feet,
: 160 lb and I am 6 ft tall but, I do not have room to spare.I use the boat
: as a winter boat in that it more stable and has a larger cockpit than the
: 17 foot Northbay I paddle during the rest of the year. The larger cockpit
: makes me feel safer when paddling on Lake Michigan in the ice. It is
: faster than any of the commerail boats I paddle with including Nordkaps
: and 18 foot Explorers.