: Probably 60% day trips and 40% camping. Will she be able to keep up in the
: 14' on long trips with my 17' laden with 2 weeks + of gear? She is very
: athletic. The thing that freaks me out is the construction space for the
: 17'. Will an 18' x 11' room do the job?

Mike

The hull speed for the 14 is around 4.89 kts. and the 17 is around 5.36. Most people cruise below 4 knots and the two kayaks are pretty equal at 4 knots with the 14 being better below and the 17 being better above. The lighter women that I know put extra weight in the 17 when they expect any wind or waves. The 17 does weathercock with less than 150 pounds in it. The 14 won't. An Osprey should track better and is faster than the Terns, but it does not turn as easily. I'll paddle an Osprey this weekend at R2K1 to get a better feel for it.

Mike Hanks