: Bryan,

: I agree. I also think that many disagree, hence all the talk of adding hip
: padding to "really fit" a boat. I like the idea of wing-like
: pads that settle you in the center of the boat, but do not restrict one
: from sliding sideward in certain manuvers. I also think that I need to do
: some experimenting with boats that are narrow.

: One step at a time.

: The Great Auk has a width of 25 inches. The Greenland SOF is about 23 inches.
: On the shop floor is a Guillemot, width 21 inches. My hips are at 17 or 18
: inches wide seated... so I am approaching that limit rapidly.

Good point. When I finally found an SOF that REALLY fit me (sadly, it's not my boat), I was amazed at the way it felt on the water. It was like wearing a comfortable pair of jeans and it responded instantly to my every move. It was quite a revelation. Now all I have to do is build one like it...