I have noticed that for speed maintenance, the NH isn't going to be good for racing: too much rocker. The NH kicks up a wake somewhat worse than my Waters Dancing Lightning 17, which is a wider kayak (beam: 24.5 ins.) but has precious little rocker. I have paddled the Waters Dancing Solace 18, narrower than the Lightning 17 with a beam of 22-inches and very little rocker: that one goes like a rocket. My Hans Friedel designed Raven, with a 19-inch beam and precious little rocker, accelerates out of control and easily holds its speed. I would have to say thata kayak with a narrow beam and little or no rocker=better speed maintenance and acceleration. Perhaps this is where to start looking. Weight, of course, is critical. The Raven clocked in a 12-kgs (~25-lbs) and would easily kick my NH's keel (read: ass) in a race. That said, I could never take the Raven on waves and have fun like I could the NH.

Hope this helps.

Robert N Pruden