I don't have that much experience with touring boats - likely not paddled over 25-30 different designs, so I'm really not the best to do a review, but... I'm 5'10", 180 lbs, size 10. I've paddled for 6 years, but more mild whitewater day trips and surfing than anything else.

I like light weight boats, good outfitting or reasonably snug fitting cockpits, fast enough to offset my poor conditioning, agility more than tracking, enough space to solo self support for 10 days, and balanced response to cross winds.

• The King is relatively narrow at 21.3 inches BOA, but I find it to be comfortably stable. Joe says it was "designed for the intermediate to advanced paddler." I was easily able to take photos from the cockpit. It's secondary stability is exceptional, the boat makes a person look better than they are. I've not yet been able to balance brace it, but then I haven't been able to balance brace anything yet It takes a slight scull to lay my head in the water. Rolls as easy as anything I've tried.
  
• It's fast enough to keep up with the QC500XL which sports a MUCH longer waterline.
  
• I've not paddled it in waves yet, but it certainly seems balanced in winds from all quarters, assuming the boat is loaded correctly.
  
• Tracking wasn't an issue, but I haven't had any inexperienced paddlers in it yet.
  
• Space was much less of an issue than I'd thought as I viewed it shaping up on the forms - the front is very fine and the inset compass design I used made the front 3' even more limited, but the Thermorest fit there fine.
  
• LOTS of the bow comes out of the water when you lay it over, making it very quick turning. In addition, it responds well to slight edging for nice cruising course corrections.
  

I've not paddled another touring boat that I like as well. Don't know if that helps or not. I'd sure love to hear other, more experienced paddler's reactions (Reg, are you out there???)

jrs