The real point is, does it matter?

If you have been reading qajaq usa's site, you would have noticed that this is an over a year long process for brian and he is a perfectionist. This is his baby. Brian also abuses his yaks severly and has skills that few people possess. He posted recently about a kayak trip with his freind in Cali. There were people who were using prototypes that he did not like. They seemed to have paddled well enough.
I would say it doesn't matter, but I respect brian too much. If he says it matters then it matters.
Brian uses the qajaq forums more, if you post there, he might be able to say himself.
Scott