You have the right idea about trying different boats Stephanie. Try as many manufactured kayaks as you can that are within range of what you want. If you can manage, get some people to let you try their homebuilt boats too. I think the designers generally will allow you to try theirs if you visit them.

Pay careful attention to the shapes of the hulls and also the rest of the general features. Before long, if you find a fair assortment to try out, you'll have a very good idea what you want. At that point, all you have to do is ask around which boats fit the mold you've come up with. Remember to take your tape measure and notebook with you each time you try out a new boat.

Fitting a kayak to you should be a snap. Since you're building it yourself you have a lot of control over its ultimate dimensions. First look for an ideal fit. Ask the designers what they have for you. Make sure you can tell them exactly how much gear you'll carry on your little trips. If they only manage to come close, ask them about simple adaptations they think you might make to the plans to get the best possible fit. A kayak that fits perfectly is far more pleasurable to paddle than one that doesn't. If the boat doesn't suit you well enough you may find it to be a real dog.

Google came up with a couple of options in/near Toronto including a place called the Paddle Shack. They have Boreal, Impex and Current Designs boats and those are good to start with (especially Impex). Their web page doesn't say which models they rent. Even if you don't get to paddle a certain model you can probably still haul it off the rack in the store, sit in it and get a good idea how the cockpit arrangement might work for you.

Some key details you might record:
- nominal length
- nominal beam
- cockpit length and width
- deck height at front and rear of cockpit
- deck height at foot position
- relative roundness of the turn of the bilge (kayakers seem to like to refer to this as the "softness" or "hardness" of the chines)
- turning ability
- relative ease at maintaining a speed you like
- whether or not it feels "corky" in choppy/wavy water
- cockpit length and width
- deck height at front and rear of cockpit
- deck height at foot position