: I really like like the comfort level and versatility of the
: Chuckanut, but don't now if I care for the cockpit shape. Dave-
: Have you ever tried a more conventional shape cockpit on that
: boat? Also....is it a knucklebuster? My dad's only kayak
: experience is with a 30 inch wide plastic model that his
: neighbor has borrowed him a few times. He likes it, but says
: it's hard on his knuckle's.

I did once put a plain rectangular cockpit on a C10, and one could easily modify any of the Chuckanut cockpit shapes to taste. A big oval would look good.
The C15 is a wide boat, but - FWIW - I never hit the gunwales when I was paddling it. Your dad is a lot bigger than me, so it shouldn't be an issue. But, paddling styles make a difference, too, so one never knows.
The C15 (and the C12, for that matter) goes right along and should have no problems keeping up with most any other boat at cruising speeds. I'm sure Jeff's Vardo is the same.