Given that, as you can see, there can be a wide variety of reactions to any particular boat, I'd suggest one of the following courses of action:

(a) see if you can find an opportunity to test-paddle the boats you're trying to decide between,

(b) make a list of the performance characteristics are most important to you and see if you can glean whether there are any glaring deficiencies in one or the other of the boats in question,

or,

(c) if nothing else swings your decision one way or the other, go with whichever one appeals to you the most -- the one from which you'll get a proud rush every time you look at it.

I built an Arctic Tern a few months back. Some concerns that I had have proved to be either adequately met or unfounded, but my continuing and overriding reaction is, "damn, is that ever a PRETTY boat". No buyers' remorse here.

and then after that,
go for it! odds are, you'll be ecstatic with either.

: I am trying to make a decision between CLC's West River 180 kit and the Pygmy
: Boats Coho. I want a boat that is fairly fast and holds plenty of gear. Is
: anyone familiar with these boats and what are the differences between the
: two. Are the but joins that pygmy uses acceptable. It seems as if scarf
: joins would be better. I do like the multi-chine deck of the Coho. Thanks
: for any thoughts.