: Yes, that part I know. However, the piece I am missing what displacement
: number to use and how relevant drag predictions are using different
: displacement numbers.

For all tests, like those of Sea Kayaker magazine, you have to have some like basis to compare boats. I was just looking at a few issues and noticed that their standard is with both a 150 lb. and a 200 lb. paddler either with or without 50 lbs. of ballast (cargo). So they have test statistics from 150 lbs. to 250 lbs., ie: a pretty average range that should suit most paddlers.

If you're planning on racing, you're not going to be completitive with a short boat, you're not going to be racing at 5 mph. And a short boat more quickly runs into a brick wall of impossible speeds well before a longer boat will. The Epic 18 is rumored to have a top speed potential well beyond that which most paddlers will ever have the power to achieve. Something that definately can't be said of most if not all shorter boats.

Bill H.