Paul,

I'm almost exactly your size. I built a Chesapeake 17 over a year ago from the CLC kit. Building was easy and enjoyable. I was thrilled with the boat at first - and still like it - but as my paddling skills grow - the boat seems larger and bulkier. If I had it to do over - I would consider a racier craft - like the North Bay. Don't get me wrong - Ches. 17 paddles nice - very predictable with good manners. The only time paddling her is a bit unpleasant is in strong to moderate quartering winds. She weathercocks just enough to be irritating - because your have to work a bit to put her back on line due to her strong tracking characteristics. In calmer weather - she is just about on autopilot though.

One more idea for you - this Canadian company: http://www.royfolland.com/index.html puts out a good looking kit with tongue and groove joints rather than butt (Pygmy style) or scarf (CLC style). I had trouble getting the CLC scarf joints glued perfectly straight - but if I had bothered to build a bit of a jig or form it would have been easy.

You will enjoy building and paddling whatever you pick - so I would say - pick the one that looks best to you. I picked the CLC because I liked the cambered decks.

Enjoy, PC

: I'm trying to decide on a S&G kayak kit and would like some advice.

: Vital statistics: 220 lbs., 5'11", 10D.

: Kayaking interests: mainly daytripping on lakes/ponds and rivers. Possibly
: poking around islands in Muscongus Bay (Maine) on calm days. More
: interested in exploring interesting places than travelling long distances.
: Somewhat intrigued by "Greenland" paddles and technique (purely
: an abstract interest, so far). Note that carrying a lot of camping gear is
: not a desideratum.

: My construction space limits me to a 17' length kayak, and even that is
: pushing things a bit.

: The kayak kits that I've been contemplating are: CLC: Chesapeake 17 or 17LT,
: West River 162 or 164.

: Pygmy: Arctic Tern 17, Queen Charlotte Std, GoldenEye Std or HI, Osprey Std.

: Current favorites: Chesapeake 17, WR 164, Arctic Tern 17.

: Any advice or suggestions would be very much welcome.

: ---Paul