phil

was reading the thread but just got back from the office so thought i would comment as i have had a similar situation.

i very nicely fit in a clc 17 LT but got the building bug and fell in love with the Night Hawk by Mark Rogers.

so i built it without ever doing a fitting or an extended test paddle.

to make a long story short.....it never fit comfortably....and i never got used to it. i apparently need a certain amount of knee bend....and if i don't get it.....30 to 40 minutes max before i start to get uncomfortable. so the idea that you will limber up....not something i would count on. and while a key hole cockpit can allow you to shift around.....i also don't think that is an answer either.

that said, i ended up selling the boat becuase i built it well and did not try to bastardize it. and anyway, the way i see it, i get a lot of value from the building and getting a kayak out the back end is icing on the cake. i was at least able to recover all my out-of-pocket costs and then some....which funded my latest project.

my latest build i was really focused on ensuring i had something that was going to work for me....and i put a lot of time into all the measurements and test paddling boat to understand fit issues not often captured by simple foot and knee clearance measures. and it has worked out splendidly.