: Also, is there any harm in building a slightly more relaxed fit to
: the kayak? I'm a Greenland paddler, with an acceptable basic
: roll. My main boat is a woodstrip Outer Island, 18' by 21".
: I am concerned that a much lower deck/tighter fit will be
: uncomfortable (limited ability to bend knees) and anxiety
: producing (can I get out before I drown). Of course the SOF
: should be fairly low volume, and not a tub, but I'm leery of
: creating a super-tight, hard-to-enter, hard-to-wet-exit boat. At
: my skill level, I'd likely be nervous about paddling it alone. I
: figure its better to 'fess up before I build. Comments welcomed.

My Cunningham boat fits tight - I have to walk my feet to get in, but once in there is plenty of room. No- I can't bend my knees, but I can brace my thighs on the massik and that is what I need in rough water. The only change I would make would be to move the foot brace deck beam an inch or so forward. Then I could wear bigger booties when paddling.

As for getting out - PRACTICE. Once I learned to go upside down and remove the boat like a pair of pants I lost all fear of wet exits. You really just exit like you got in. both hands behind you on the gunnels and push. The kayak slides off. Only time you get into trouble is when you try to exit when you are halfway down. That doesn't work very well, but I've never gotten stuck where I couldn't get out.

Like another reply mentioned - you need to decide what you are going to do with the kayak and who is going to paddle it. My brother is 2" taller than me and can't get in my kayak. That's fine, but you might want bigger paddlers in your kayak.

Foster

I would buy the Morris book too and use both in the build process.