Brett,

Sorry about the delay in replying but I've been vacationing for the last couple of weeks, a break fron civilization
I'm 6'-1" and 210 lbs. I figured if I wanted a boat that would hold me and the gear that I wanted for an extended trip the 19" would suit me better. Whether this was the correct decision remains to be seen. I'm already eyeing up designs that will hold me, my camera, and my lunch for day paddling. Another reason why a person has to build more than one boat.
I didn't build the 17' version so I can't give you a comparison.
I think the most important thing in choosing a design is to be REALISTIC about the type of paddling that you WILL be doing, not the type of paddling that you wish you were doing. Build something different than the boat that you have already built, and decide which features you like and dislike about each design. Then incorporate the features you like into your next boat, then repeat as needed
I usually manage to get away on 3-4 extended canoe trips a year, some of these will now be kayak trips, hence the touring model that I chose. But in reality most of my paddling is 3-4 hour trips on the river that I live beside, so you see that I really do need another boat, as do you!!

Glad to hear you've made full recovery from the shoulder injury, keep yer head up!

Ken

: HI KEN!
: I AM INTERESTED IN BUILDING THE SAME KAYAK AS YOU ARE CURRENTLY BUILDING! IS
: THIS 19' BETTER (IN YOUR OPINION OF COURSE) THAN THE 17' YOU BUILT
: EARLIER. I REALIZED ITS AN APPLE TO ORANGES COMPARISON BECAUSE ONES A
: HYBRID AND THE OTHER ISN'T. JUST WANTED TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS. FYI, THE
: SHOULDER IS MUCH BETTER.:D
: BUILD ON,
: BRETT THE HITMAN HART