Thanks for answering Al,
What the weight of your kayak? Did you install a rudder? What is the height in the back and the front of the cockpit?

Nick's recess must be very nice on the Panache. Did you get flush hatches as well?

Regards

: On a recent trip there was a 5 foot swell running from the SE with a 3 foot
: breaking chop from the SW which was hitting me on the rear right quarter.
: I was loaded down with about 60# of gear and provisions and she was stable
: and I had to do very little corrective strokes to keep on course. With the
: upswept bow it is a very dry ride as well. Going into 3 to 4 foot breaking
: waves you get a little wet, but under normal sea kayaking conditions with
: 2 foot chop you are cruising along without a care.

: She is also pretty fast; I have to hold back when paddling with my kayaking
: friends with fiberglass boats so I don't leave them behind.

: I altered the plans slightly and made a recessed cockpit like Nick does on
: his boats instead of the way Rob Macks has it.

: Rob Macks' FireStar is now peaking my interest, but we will have to see.