Hi all

After a few years' hiatus I'm back to pick your collective brains again. I have loved paddling my Guillemot. I still get a big kick out of watching waves break over the bow - such a beautiful design and form.

I spent the last few years slowly building a 12' dinghy (Stornoway 12' by Paul Fisher of Selway Fisher designs) with my Dad, and Welsh Cher her last week. So... I am finally ready to start a new project!

What I want:
- longer waterline than the Guillemot (which is around 14'6")
- beam no wider than the Guillemot
- good tracking
- fast and responsive
- I don't require lots of storage

I'm 40, weigh 75kg and I'm 5'11" tall. I'm making progress towards intermediate capability I guess.

Designs I have considered so far:
- Björn's Njord (which I'm favouring)
- Jay's Outer Island
- Nick's Night Heron and Expedition Single designs

I'm comfortable about giving an ocean cockpit a try (happy sliding into the Guillemot). I haven't learned to roll yet but will.

Any others I should consider? I am leaning towards the Njord but wonder if the waterline is a bit too long for me compared with the Guillemot (is that even a valid concern?)

Thanks in advance for your advice. And Nick thanks once again for the Guillemot design and book, what a great hobby this is.

(For the life of me I can't figure out how to make this show portrait. So please turn your head sideways!)

Regards, Ian