Choosing a design to build is difficult when you don't get to paddle the boats. It took me several months to decide on a boat to build, I went with the Redfish King. I really like this boat, it is quite fast, it really seems to handle the gulf coast chop we have here very well, and since it is a west coast design I am sure it handles big water just as well. This boat tracks great, and carved turns are very easy. And even with the small waves I have taken it in, the boat surfs, I would love to get it out to the west coast. I see no need for a rudder, but it does exhibit some, but not a lot, weather cocking, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Im 5' 11 and 165, and the boat fits me great. If it is a smaller boat that you want, I would consider the Redfish Golden, I think it is a similar design in a boat that is not quite as long.

: Hello all,

: This is the usual request for help choosing a boat design...

: I am a strong paddler with multiple years on both whitewater and
: ocean, 5'8", 155 lbs, size 10 feet. For several years I
: paddled and enjoyed a Necky Arluk III kevlar boat, which I very
: much enjoyed, but sadly no longer own. The Arluk III is an 18
: foot, fairly high performance touring boat, with moderate
: initial and secondary stability.

: I miss the Arluk and am considering building a cedar strip kayak to
: replace it. So far, it seems to me that the Redfish King and the
: One Ocean Cape Ann Storm look like good candidates for me. Given
: my small size, the Storm LT might also make sense. I will not be
: doing lengthy overnight trips, but am looking for a kayak that
: is faster, more responsive, and more fun to paddle on day trips
: than the feathercraft aluminum frame boat that I now have. If I
: can find a design that is fast and handles well that is about
: 16-16'6 or so rather than 17-18 feet, that would make it easier
: to handle on a sailboat, which would be an advantage for me.

: My question to you gurus out there is whether any of you have
: actually paddled both the King and the Storm, or maybe even the
: Arluk III as well. It is mainly the comparative paddling
: characteristics of the boats that I am interested in at this
: point in my head scratching. I live in Northern British
: Columbia, so there is little chance that I will be able to
: paddle any of the available strip designs before deciding what
: to build.

: I am inclined to not bother with a rudder or skeg, so I am
: particularly interested in the relative tendency of these two
: designs to weathercock in a cross wind. I found the Arluk ok but
: not great in a crosswind unless the rudder was deployed, at
: least not when it was loaded only with yours truly.

: Any advice would be appreciated.

: Thanks very much to Guillemot Kayaks for sponsoring this forum.

: Best regards,

: Allan Edie