: Everyone is a walking, talking set of anthropometric measurements. Your arms
: are exactly one of your arms long. However, there is no way you can take
: your arm length and translate it into a boat of a given performance based
: on someone elses arm length.

: The single biggest determinant of performance is weight and there is no body
: measurement that can tell you how much you weigh other than stepping on a
: scale. Some people with short legs weigh more than someone else with long
: legs. A fist on either side of your butt also is not a good estimate for
: weight. People are too differenent to make the concept of a universal
: system of anthropometric measurements in kayak design possible.

: If you want accurate anthropometric dimensions for a boat with the
: performance you like, go find a boat you like and measure it with body
: parts, and then build a boat of your own using your body parts instead of
: a tape measure. I think a tape measure is a little easier, but you might
: lose your tape measure. If you lose your body parts, you probably won't
: much feel like paddling any way.

: That said, you want a boat to fit you. An anthropometric system can make a
: boat that fits. Just don't expect it to create a boat that performs the
: same for everyone, but it should fit well.

I was not refering to a generic boat for anyone and everyone,but a specific designed boat to an individual person's weight displacement, height above waistline,width of shoulders and hips, leg length, etc. All these and more should make a difference in cockpit and seat placement and overall design and diamentions of the kayak. since no two people are alike, no two boats should be either. From this general formula, considertions could be taken for casual paddling, racing, fishing, ect., by expounding off of the basic body measurment to allow for the specific use intended. I am not thinking of a production line of one size fits all but just the opposite.
If we are bigger than the people of 100 or 200 years ago this should not matter if the formula is followed. One's arm length is still proportional to the rest of the body of that individual and so on. The final end product,(kayak) should still preform well for that individual even if it is far removed in specifics, looks, or design, of an example of a yesteryear boat. Copying a design from the 1800's is no better that copying a design of today if it is expected to be a generic, one size fits all, production boat. There will allways be a need to tweak the design anyway. No one can leave well enough alone for long, and all the variables will come into play.
Of course no one would selling plans if this was practiced!!!!!

still looking for the "perfect boat"
Dave