Eric,

The biggest difference it makes is getting it to the water. I am much more likely to go out in my 27 pound Walrus than my 40 pound Arctic Tern. It makes a big difference when putting your kayak up an top of a truck with a hi-rise canopy.

Some other minor things are, that a lighter kayak will feel livelier, and a heavier one may feel more stable. Lighter kayaks accellerate quicker, but once up to speed I don't notice much difference.

Mike

: In the end, how much of a difference does weight (both of kayak and cargo)
: make a difference, and what exactly does it effect?