Hi, I'm new here. I have already built a Shearwater 17 S&G, and a Shearwater Hybrid. I'd like to build a full-strip for my next kayak.
I really like the Shearwaters. What I WISH I could do is build a Strip Version of a Shearwater 17. If I had thought of it, I might have been able to create templates for forms while the deck forms were in the hull of the Hybrid, but I threw them out.

Today, I demoed A Petrel and a Hi-Deck Night Heron in Yonkers. I would have liked to have tried the "standard" Night Heron, but they didn't seem to have one. The area to paddle in was limited, and crowded, so I didn't get a chance to try them at "sprint" pace. To my surprise, the Petrel seemed to have more initial stability than the Heron,
and I was expecting the opposite. I am 5'8", 155 lbs, and some have advised me that I'm a little light for the Night Heron. It seemed very jiggly. I definitely like the Petrel better- very maneuverable, but it almost seemed like the slightest thing "maneuvered" it!

Does anyone know of a design that would closely resemble a Shearwater in characteristics? Fine bow entry, fairly hard chines, fast cruiser, fairly good stability? Thanks