Thanks for the feedback. It's difficult for a newb to look over plans and make any real decision based on offsets and the like, or even looking at a boat. Like I said, when I first saw the plans for the sea rider, I didn't think I'd be able to fit through the cockpit coming. It was only once I had built it that I realized how big it was.

Since I already have the offsets lofted for the Sea Rider, and since it gets positive reviews, and as I'm prone to like thinner, tippier kayaks in my very limited experience, I suppose the lowest barrier to entry is to take another stab at it, being a little more familiar with the tools I've got, and see how it goes. =)

Right now I'm afraid I'm entering this paralysis zone where I've got a few different boats that all look good, have different pros and cons, and I'm trying to figure out which to build first.

I'm not quite sure what to do.

Thanks. :)

-- James

: Well, I have plenty of experience with The Sea Rider, The Sea Otter
: and the Sea Tour 15R, having built all of them.
: And I am your size.
: The Sea Rider, in my opinion, is the superior kayak. It's great, in
: fact. Super, even. The Sea Tour is fine for touring, but it was
: huge on me, and I immediately stopped paddling it when I
: discovered smaller volume boats. Despite my early intentions, I
: have never ended up kayak camping, and I did not ever need the
: extra storage space at all. I was planning a Yukon expedition
: with my Sea Tour (but moved back to Colorado, instead) . . .
: that's how much gear I could have gotten in it.

: Also, the Sea Rider is a great roller. I have rolled the Sea Tour,
: of course, but it takes more work, for sure, and is not
: conducive to layback rolls.

: Note that lower-volume, more responsive boats are my personal
: preference - yours may differ.

: Your feet will be constrained in many a Greenland style kayak -
: BUT, they will usually fit fine. You sit with your heels
: touching and your feet splayed both out and forward. Don't plan
: on wearing boots. I wear neoprene footies.

: In any case, it's easy enough to add an inch to the top of the
: ridge at the masik and footrest frames.