> After recently buying "the boat that will last me many years" I
> am now looking into yet another boat (go figure ;-) I do have what seems
> to be a significant constraint inre: boat design: I have a lot of problem
> with my joints (those between my bones not scarfed ones!) which causes me
> particular problem with boats that don't have enough deck volume to allow
> me to paddle with my feet straight up and down. I am 5'7" and only
> 125 pds. which puts me in fairly low volume boats for efficiency but leave
> me very cramped and uncomfortable. My latest boat is a Heritage sit-on-top
> which is a bit oversized for me but absolutely wonderful for mid-summer
> paddling - when my hips/legs/feet get tired and sore I just recline back a
> bit or jump off the side! I would also really like to have a low volume
> closed-deck boat for colder weather and times when I'd rather roll than
> climb-back-on.

> Does anyone have recommendations of kits meant for a light paddler that
> still offer ample room to move about inside the cockpit? I have a fair
> amount of woodworking experience but figure that a kit is likely the best
> way to go for the first try.

Jeff; No one has mentioned yet the concept of modifying your present deck with two small custom strip pods, sorta like the hood clearance mods you see on some hot rod/custom cars. If your sense of humor is up to it, you could choose different color woods to create "Alligator eyes" (tastefully suggested, not blatant googley eyes) Great conversation starter. Wrap your feet with carbon paper inside out, sit in boat, wiggle toes against inside of deck to mark position. scale the pods to the alligator/boat's dimensions and foot room. I would probably add a long minimal outline of the gator's jaw between sheer and chine! Perhaps not as garish as the P40 Shark Mouth! Seen some nice inlays of dolphins and such, but difficult to add inlay after epoxy and glass. Mebbe sketch out with black plastic tape, easy to trash if not acceptable! TNX, Scotty