: For those who have paddled the Silver, I would really appreciate your
: reactions to its handling.
: Many thanks...Bob

My wife's Silver is not yet complete, but I have paddled one. If you like medium-hard tracking, neutral handling in quartering winds, fast efficient hull, and medium volume, this could be the boat for you. The modest rocker forward allows some maneuverability, while the lack of rocker aft keeps it tracking without corrective strokes. It's an inch wider than my Guillemot, but that is barely perceptible. Volume of the two boats is very nearly the same. Redfish touts the boat for 150# paddlers, but my 200# still allowed plenty of freeboard. I haven't paddled one loaded yet, but would expect no big surprises. There aren't too many of them out there, and I think they may be the best-kept secret in strip-built kayaks.

As for the rest of the Redfish lineup, the Return tracks a little too hard for my taste, and the Spring Run feels too big after all my seat time in the Guillemot. The Silver feels just right. If you have a few months to make the decision, you may want to wait for release of plans for the new 18' King, which provides a delightful balance between tracking and maneuverability, while retaining the trademark Redfish speed and efficiency. That will be my next boat (the boys each have theirs, and the Silver is for my wife, so that one is for moi!).