> I am a first time builder wondering which kit is the best one
> to go with? I want a good touring Kayak for the Central Coast of California.
> There appears to be 2 main brands for complete kits with similar prices,
> I am wondering if one is significantly better than the other?

I built a Pygmy Golden Eye High Volume this winter. I enjoyed building it and it is beautiful. I had a guy ask if he could please help me carry it to my car recently at the beach! PS I am no craftsman, just took my time and it went quite well. I plan to bulid another this winter. I use it in Lake Erie and do find that I am having to work to "master" it, it is a bit more unstable than I expected. My previous experience was with user friendly plastic kayaks, though. The next one I build may be a Queen Charlotte because I would prefir a hard chined hull for the greater stability, I think. The other company "Light Craft or whatever" makes many hard chined models. Amyway, I did not find the multichine hull hard to build, but as I say it is taking time to feel comfortable in. I put in the hatches and bulkheads and it is very strong and has big time storage capacity...weighs definitely less than 40 pounds. The company (pygmy) was very responsive and good to work with. It really was a masterful kit. I did have to buy a little extra epoxy to finish it. For whatever it is worth!

Good Luck... it will be great fun whichever you choose.