Hi
I've been a lurker on the forum for a few years - I have build a Tom Yost Sea Tour 17R (great fun!) and want to build a wooden kayak.
Criteria:
S&G not stripper (time, skill, workshop and tool constraints)
Preferably full size plans rather than lofting (lazy ...!)
Not a kit (international freight costs)
Me: Height 6ft 4", size 12.5 uk shoes (14 US?) 35" leg, weight 220 lbs
Usage: rivers, lakes, and shore. Weekend camping only

Currently I'm looking at either the cirrus or the merganser 17/18
All the discussion that I have seen seems to have centred on what to build for lighter paddlers (I could diet I suppose!)
People have also suggested that the merganser has a quicker build time, but that the cirrus pushes the boundaries of S&G design - How? what is so different between the 2 designs?

Other designs that I have considered:

Still rated as possibles:
new Zealand design MAC 50?
Eskimo Tom's designs?
the morillon and chipeau from www dot kerlo. fr
I like to looks of the Thommason design kayaks (black pearl (et al) but I don't read enough Swedish to know if any are S&G rather than strippers.
S&G night heron - I'm not sure about this, would it be too small?

I have already looked at the following and rejected them based on forum postings:
Chesapeake 17:Doesn't edge well
West River 18: tracks too well (or was that the west river 180 - previous model?)
guillemot: just don't like the shape of the bow

PS I'm in the UK, so can't actually try any of the designs before hand!

Any ideas, feedback or comments would be welcome - thanks.