: My boat in progress is very similar..23.25" wide. 17.6"
: long, lots of rocker.
: Yours looks like it is sitting pretty high in the water due to all
: the volume,

I am at the light end of its designed capacity so a bigger paddler or loaded for expeditioning is going to be a better test.

: I suspect mine will be the same, I'm worried about lee cocking in
: stiff winds..which is a biggee but correctable.

I will let you know or try to get some movies soon.

: How is the initial stablity?

Initial stability is excellent. I am going from a 21.5" Illusion to this 23.5". What you do feel is that predictable twitch of a V hull that gets solid on either flat.

The reason I ask is I will use mine
: as a fishing kayak(stalking reds)..which is why I widened it, and
: the rockered ends like yours should make it
: turn easily..couple medium sweep strokes to 180 it?

Tracks straight when flat and will hold a strong edge to accelerate the turning. Keeps turning until the momentum is used up or you drop it back to flat.

: Also you said you have a lot of volume at the center, what do you
: think? Increased primary secondary and initial over
: more volume toward the stems? I tried to make mine fat at the
: cockpit and narrower than usual at the stems.

The wider beam and center bouyancy frees the ends more quickly when edged.

: I did do one thing different that may not go well..will see, i
: added a slight bulge to the hull sides below/at the water line
: behind the cockpit..the idea was i want it to catch surf
: better...also i hope that helps initial stability.

Sound like you will have a nice kayak. Looking forward to hearing how close you get to the intended results. Do you have any design drawings or progress photos?

On the surfing trim, I like to be keep the trim balanced so I can lean forward on takeoff to engage the bow and then lean back as it accelerates down the wave to engage the stern for tracking and lighten the bow. So I think the changes you have made for surfing will be ok with proper trim.

: Congrats on launching it, must be great.

Thanks.

Best,

Reg