: Sorry 'bout that. He is 6'2" and about 165.

Unless he plans to carry a full load of gear, I would reccomend the CH17LT over the full volume CH17. I am slighty taller and about 50# heavier and I really like the CH17LT that I built. Multichine designs will take longer to build, pygme deck takes longer to build and install than the arched CH design if build time is a concern.
When I compared the CH to the Pygme boats, the CH was significantly cheaper when you factor in the bulkheads & hatches that are included with the chesapeake but which are extra $ in the pygme catalog. Interestingly, shipping the kit was also significantly cheaper from CH in Maryland to Alaska than it was going to cost to have a Pygme send to me from Wa to Alaksa.
Comparing the catalogs of the two companies, I was a bit concerned that the published weights for the chesapeaks seemed a bit heavier. This seems to be primarily due to the inclusion of the bulkheads in the CH weight. THe materials used in both the boats are very similar and end boat weight will be much more influenced by the builders skill and outfitting preferences.
-Jason Gray