Hi Matthew,

I have paddled both boats. Your initial assessment is correct the King is a bigger volume boat. It tracks, turns and rolls very nice. I would say it doesn't track as strong as the OI but I was impressed with how it handles. I am 5'-10" and 160lbs so my impressions will be different than yours. I have gravitated to very low volume Greenland kayaks so for me the King is a large boat.

The OI is still my hands down favorite boat. It tracks like a freight train and once use to a strong tracking boat turns fine. It's much lower volume and I would say size 13 would be difficult, but you may want to see what others with big flippers have to say. I'll take my OI out in conditions I would take no other boat and still feel comfortable. About the only thing I would change in the OI is I would lower the deck a little more.

Kent