Awesome, cheers for that. I've done a fair bit of research with different hull shapes and how they affect the movement of the kayak through the water, I had no idea it was so complex but it's really intersting. Still haven't figured out exactly what sort of movement, etc I want -don't want to rush these choices - but we'll get there. I've read a fair bit of contradictory info about what a v-shaped hull does and doesn't do. Would you mind clarifying that for me?
I really like the look of the Guillemot S, could be a good build. I'll keep that one in mind.
Cheers
Dot

: I assumed you were about average fitness and strength for your size and that
: when you mentioned trips around the islands, you were thinking about
: carrying gear for a couple of days rather than a couple of weeks.

: Another assumption that is much harder to quantify is the amount of stability
: with which you would feel comfortable. Stability is important, but is
: quite complex. Some kayaks feel quite stable sitting level but don't get
: much better as they lean over a bit. They tend to be the ones with flat
: bottoms and hard chines. Others feel a bit nervous sitting level but get
: much more stable as they lean a bit. They tend to be the ones with round
: hulls and quite a bit of flare on the sides.

: That is a bit over simplified and what makes it even more complicated is that
: it is quite easy to make a kayak that is 52cm wide more stable than one
: which is 54cm wide. Fuller bow and stern tend to add stability.

: Something like the Redfish "Silver" or the Guillemot S would be
: close to what I had in mind.

: http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/node/40/draw

: http://www.redfishkayak.com/silver.htm