The 17LT gives me minimum foot room (size 13). The next boat must have at least that much.

My short list of boat is: Waters Dancing Solace 18EX or 17EX; or Shearwater Bluefin.

From what I can gather the Bluefin will turn easier. It is an inch narrower than the 18EX. The Bluefin is 21 inches.

I spent yesterday playing in a tidal rip (a lesson) in the Golden Gate area and wish that I could know which of these two boats would be best for that.

I was surprised to not capsize during my exercises (in my 17LT) and would like to go back for more. The rest of the class had boats provided by the trainer and they were all fairly rounded hulls.