If you want room to move around, I guess go for the high deck version. The stitch and glue version uses the lower deck. I fit, but I'm really close to the maximum size limit I think and I cannot move around much in the cockpit. The volume of the lower deck is fine for day-tripping. I've already gone on one 3-day paddle. I think that the night heron could be used for week-long trips if packed lightly, but I am planning on building a larger volume kayak for that use. Use lots of dry storage items instead of trying to cram large ones into the stern, if you go with the lower deck. If you want a chair, sit on a foam paddle float or a comfy-looking rock or some dug out ground.

I don't know how much you want to bed your legs, though. Also, I don't know how much the extra weight would add to your bulk in the cockpit. You might just be better off going with the high deck. A small bend in my knees is fine for me, and the knee braces are low for someone of my height. I've been able to do the braces, sculls, and rolls that I've learned so far without trouble.

I don't know what to tell you about the rear deck. I wasn't aware that the higher-decked boat has a higher rear deck.

I just checked out Guillemot's website, and the S&G NH is the lower-decked version. I thought that there were three deck heights, but there are only two. So, I fit okay in the lower-decked version but it's a tight fit (most not used to being in tight spaces might think it cramped).

I tentatively suggest that you go with the higher-decked version if you are used to whitewater boats. All of the whitewater kayaks I've seen seem to allow much more knee bending than I get in my Night Heron. Take all of that with a grain of salt, because I've haven't sat in many whitewater kayaks.

You should probably e-mail Nick about this if he doesn't respond to this thread. He'd be MUCH better qualified to make a suggestion.

: Thanks for the reply, David. I probably should have mentioned that coming
: from a whitewater background, I can't imagine not being securely melded
: with the boat. I'll have foot, hip and knee/thigh contact.

: My fit concerns are primarily two: Given a bent leg seating and my leg
: length, would the low front deck be too low? Given my weight, which back
: deck height would result in, oh, say 2" above dead flat water? With a
: little day trip gear only; no need for a dutch oven and lawn chair with
: this boat!

: Cheers, Keith