: I built a Tern 14' for my 135lb. 5'7" girlfriend. She loves it. I weigh
: 220 and although my 6' frame fits just fine in the boat, I'm too heavy for
: it, rides too low in the water.

Consider a skin on frame - something like the North Alaska Retrieval kayak as shown on Zimmerly's arctickayaks.com website - look under kayak types. I'd make it 30" longer to deal with your extra weight , rear deck flat and foredeck peaked. Depth to sheer about 8.25" Make it with two chines per side and keep the bottom fairly flat in the middle. Keep the bow full. Beam about 23.5"

The skin on frame will be the cheapest for materials and should be a little quicker to build.Cover with a heavier synthetic skin of 12 oz nylon and you'll love it!