Toni, I just finished teaching a class yesterday in the coho I made. I'm 5"9" 178,average length legs. I fitted foam under the deck for adequate bracing,the trick is to carve the foam for thigh support without having one's kneecaps pressed upon. Anyway the cockpit is large and without adding plywood to enable braces to rest more on top of the thighs and not require ones's legs to rotate out so much is a characteristic of a big cockpit. ? awkward sentence. anyway I'm having fun rolling all over the place. One of the ways to enjoy this big cockpit and still be connected is to make hip braces like a white water boat either by installing foam with a bit of an ridge resting over your hips(have to slide into seat slightly sidewise) or buy those cordura/webbing pockets that have different thicknesses with a similarly curved piece as described above.

more than one way to skin a cat,or outfit a kayak so don't let the size of the cockpit deter you from making a good boat.