My only experience is with Pygmy, so my view is limited. A few years back there were some of the 'marketing wars' mentioned by others, though I thought it cut both ways. You can still find veiled digs here and there on both web sites. Both are valid ways to build a boat. My opinion on some of the method differences?

Hull tape vs. interior glassing: The taped seams (CLC) also seem to come with largish fillets and buried stitch wires, vs small-to-no fillets and no wires for the fiberglass interior (Pygmy) method. I feel that makes it about even for weight, and I feel that the full glass is stronger overall, helping the panels and likely the joints too, with the glass being closer in. My Pygmy has taped seams on the inside deck, and I preferred working on the inside hull. Plenty of folks would call that crazy.

Scarfs vs butt joints: Given the current methods, I'd say that both are adequately strong and fair. I did my butt joints with glass on only one side, to save time there and in the hull sanding. It worked for me and for others, though some have reported problems. Scarfing pre-cut parts seemed to be a way to mess things up, but I don't have a lot of confidence in my woodworking. The butts just seemed like a better way to align pre-cut parts accurately. If I ever build S&G from plans rather than a kit, I'd probably use scarfs.

Sheerclamps & cambered deck vs. none & beveled deck: I see this as a mostly cosmetic choice. One part of that choice is the appearance of a ply edge at the sheer with the CLC, where it's hidden with the pygmy. That edge can be hidden with a rub strip or paint, and that can have a nice look. I preferred the looks of the beveled (pygmy) deck. I also was not confident in my ability to bevel the sheerclamp smoothly and properly. Looking back, I'm sure I could have handled it.

One-piece (CLC) vs. peaked (Pygmy) coamings: This is one place where I really struggled with my choice. I didn't like the look of the peak in the Pygmy coaming - particularly in the rear where it could dig into the back during rolls. I don't yet have a good roll, but others have commented about this feature. Now that it's been on the water, I think I over-worried that issue. This isn't an issue with the Tern you're looking at, and there are other ways to build a coaming anyway. I was *that* close to making a carbon fiber coaming and scrapping the ply altogether.

These arguments could all be seen from the other point of view as well, and I wouldn't say the other is wrong. Mostly I think it depends on personal temperment and experience. You don't need a lot of woodworking experience to do either one - you'll learn what you need to know along the way.

Like others have said - pick the boat that you want to end up with and build from there. Too bad they don't both have a showroom in your hometown. Then again, there's lots of both around - ask around enough, and maybe you'll be able to find a ride in both.