Adam,

About 2 years ago I decided on the 17LT and I am very happy with it. According to the folks at CLC the hull is identical to that of the 17, so same performance (I find it quite stable; easy to sit still comfortably in reasonable chop on Lake Michigan without feeling like you are going to roll over). Being a bit lower, probably it handles better in the wind, too. Still a lot of storage space in the LT. I'm 5'10" and 165 lb, and it is plenty big for me---I think I'd be swimming in the standard 17. (One suggestion---don't follow their placement for the forward bulkhead, it is way too far forward--wish I had moved it towards the cockpit---more storage and less water to pump out---you may need to cut a new bulkhead to fit, but luan should work fine, or go with minicell). It was my first kayak, and I had no trouble with the kit---people at CLC and here are extremely helpful.

Regarding fishing, it would work OK, but if this is your primary use probably something with a much bigger cockpit opening would be better.

Ed

I'm considering building either the Chesapeake 17 or the 17LT. I know the LT
: is a lower volume version of the 17, but what performance differences
: should I expect? Is it less stable?
: Also, as a first time kayak builder, if I want to find out realistically how
: difficult building these models from the kits can be.
: I'm 5'10" 150lbs and want a boat that can take a good wave, have decent
: storage space, and something I can fish out of. If anyone has a better
: boat suggestion, please let me know.
: Thanks-
: Adam Darack