Interesting comment on going to a lower volume boat. I'm doing the same. My only paddling experience before building my Tern was a plastic sea kayak. Now, after one season, although I still love the Tern, I'm building a smaller volume and narrower Cape Ann Storm.
I'm 6'1", 220LBS. and my size 11's fit fine in the Tern with room to spare as long as I wear booties. MAKE SURE THAT you install your padeyes for the deck rigging so that the nuts/bolts will not interfer with your toe placement in the boat.
SUGGESTION: If you can't find a couple of Pygmy's to try in your neighborhood, rent a round-chine and a hard-chine 17' plastic sea kayak with identical beam. That's probably the biggest difference between the two boats and you'll get a feel for the difference between the two styles. As a novice paddler, I felt my Tern was very wiggly the first couple of times out and then I relaxed and discovered what a great, stable and responsive boat it is. Once I carved a foam minicell seat to replace the Thermarest pad, the boat became a whole lot more stable, too.