Hello

I am 5'7 and 190 lbs. I also feel like I am swiming in the Coho cockpit. Not so much in the Tern. I have a Coho and a Tern. Very different hull designs on these two high volume boats. I have paddled the Coho for a couple of years now. It is a great boat but it IS an expedition Kayak. Very high volume. Its length and light weight make it a very quick and efficient boat and it tracks very well. Unloaded the boat sits high in the water and is more subject to wind than a lower volume boat but I have never felt that weathercocking is a problem with this boat. I would not dream of puting a rudder on either of these designs. The Tern I have less experience with but it too is a high volume boat. Tracks well but has better turning capability with just a bit of trade off in speed. it is just 6 inchs shorter. I like the tern better right now because if it's turning capability and it is new to me.

Thats my $0.02 worth.

Good luck choosing. Not easy.

: I've been lurking for a while now and am looking for a recommendation. I am
: trying to decide between an Arctic Tern and a Coho. I am 5'6" and 155
: lbs. I live at the North end of a 20 mile long bay that is orineted
: straight South from here (Mobile bay) and in the summer, afternoon winds
: of 20 mph are not at all uncommon.

: For mostly day tripping in the delta and down into the bay, which design
: would be better? Is either one going to be too big? Also since on calmer
: days my family will be along in their boats, I need a fairly agile
: sprinter in case I have to do the dad thing. Oh yeah, just to make it more
: interesting, we won't be doing much kayak camping or anything (at least
: it's not in the plans today), but I get to run the designated cargo boat
: (am I looking for a guide boat here?).

: Thanks.