: With all due respect Kim, the Chessy 18 is a very stable boat and I don't
: think you'll find many wood boat designs that are more stable, with the
: exception of boats like the Mill Creek models. If you're not comfortable
: in the Chessy at times, the issue is not the boat, it's more likely your
: skill level. If you're relatively new to the sport or to paddling in ocean
: conditions, that's absolutely normal. What you need to do is to spend more
: time paddling in those conditions so you learn to be comfortable in them.
: We've all been where you are at one point.

I'm with Brian on this one, The ches 18 is an ocean liner, having said that, wider, hard chined boats can be difficult to manage in confused, larger conditions as a wave (particularly a beaming wave) will tend to grab a hold of the chine and throw you over more violently. if my memory serves me correctly, Nicks book may even have an illustration or 2 showing the Hows and whys.

I'ma bout the same height as you but a lot lighter at 220lbs in ye olde speak and have a Ches 17 but have moved on to a surf ski which is only 450mm wide and while i feel like I could punch out a few ZZZ's in my Ches on the flat wityhout tipping over, i feel much better in beaming waves on my round bottomed skinny boat.

My current build is another hard chined boat (oneOcean cirrus Hybrid), so my thoughts are purely theoretical but i'm guessing that you will feel a lot more comfortable in bigger conditions with any of the larger volume non-chined kayaks out there.
Cheers