: I am still undecided as to which i want to go with. What do you prefer and
: most importantly why?

: This boat will be flat water boat. No surf of big waves to deal with.
: Typically getting in and out is done in shallow water with the bow on
: solid ground. Some places there are rocks so you just pull up side the
: bank in shallow water. You have to straddle the boat and stand up in the
: water. In my last boat I got quite good at just lifting my hips on the
: rear deck and balancing. I could then slide my feet out of it. By the end
: of the first summer I could even get in and out from a dock 2'to maybe 3'
: above the water and not go swimming. I am pretty sure I could learn that
: skill again.

: I like the idea of having he deck closer for maps and perhaps an Orca style
: day hatch. But I am just undecided.

Just my opinion coming up. OCs are great if you have enough height differential between fore and rear deck for sliding in without dislocating your knees. (which recalling your specs I think you have). I like them because it keeps the cockpit deck area tidy, small spray-deck, Close map bungies, easy access to a foredeck bag, and nice on calm days if you are not using a Spray-deck (no drips on your legs). To my eye they also look more traditional. It also puts some your friends off wanting to use your boat all the time, leaving you in their old plastic banana.

I don't go totally radical though. I am not as bendy as I was in my youth. I have used an egg shaped oval on all my boats for the last fifteen years or so now. I make them just small enough that if I am paddling without a deck I won't get drips inside the cockpit.

Et