: Your will get better answers from some of the other guys here but I want to
: say two things. I lead a few trips on our lake. The guys in 10' boats
: STRUGGLE to keep up even with our leisurely pace. I assume the extra width
: required really slows them down and it is not just the length. Every one
: of them have gone to longer boats and are much happier. I think you be
: making a mistake to go that short from what I have seen.

: Secondly, if your just concerned about weight, I just finished the frame on a
: boat similar to Toms Sea Rider. 17' and amazingly lightweight! From this,
: weight is not an issue with SOF. Handling it is nothing. Just one hand to
: pick it up and walk around.

Weight is not the first concern. With a small car, I cannot carry anything longer than 10 to 12 feet. Water sources are not any where near, so driving 50 to 100 KMs with a long boat on top, at slow speeds would be a killing!

This is the only reason I want to build a small Kayak.
I sure do understand that moving was a problem with a 9' SOT Kayak that I tried in some place near. It certainly made me feel like beating some one when on shore! It was slow, and the heeling was massive, when winds are strong, heeling was upsetting us.

Nick, Tom and others what do you think?
What is the best option for me from here?
How long, how much to compromise?