I built a Ches 17LT 5 years ago and it performs wonderfully in rough water. My definition of rough in this case is up to 3 foot breaking chop out of the SE and a 5+ foot swell out of the south. Maybe to some that isn't rough, but it was rough enough for me. I have since stripped out an 18' kayak and still think conditions like that in 50 degree water is gnarley enough.

Anyway, my Ches 17LT performed equal to, and in some cases better than, the other 5 fiberglass, mid to high end kayaks in the group. Whether the trip was into the wind, quartering into it or with the waves, she was very easy to control (I don't have a rudder on either boat).

Someone posted earlier that the Ches 17 is a little more difficult to roll. I agree with that assessment. I can roll other boats easier and with more finesse. The Ches can be rolled, mind you, but she's not quite so smooth about it.

Another kit manufacturer from Canada is Roy Folland at http://www.royfolland.com. I have not tried these out, but I do like the concept of the finger joints.

: Years back my brother and I built 2 Cape Charles 17's. from Chesapeake.
: The Ches. 17 is a more refined version. When I visit my brother I use his 17.
: The boat handles rough water fine. It's the paddler more than the boat
: that handles the rough water.

: Since you're 6' tall, (I'm 6'1") my major annoyance of the 17 is because
: it's 24" wide and relatively high volume, my hands occassionally hit
: the shear. If it was lower volume or narrower, that wouldn't happen. For a
: first time paddler it's an OK first boat. You'll outgrow it in a year if
: you paddle reguarly and a year from now try someone's lower volume and
: narrower boat. You can always sell as I did mine - but I don't regret
: building it and having it for a year.

: The general problem with all first time paddlers/builders is that you have no
: paddling skills and experience with kayaks which forces you to build a
: beginners boat - and you outgrow it quickly s your skills improve and your
: abillity to brace and paddle.