: The Cirrus is bigger than the Merganser18. I built an 18 and liked it but
: there's less knee room in it than the Cirrus. Cirrus gives a better
: compromise of tracking and control for weathercocking than the Merganser.
: Merganser is a very efficient hull and is a firm tracking kayak but the
: Cirrus will provide more maneuverability with the same control for
: weathercocking.

I traded emails with Eric on the subject of menuverability and we did discuss the Shearwater vs Merganser Hulls. He said the Shearwater has a softer more rounded radius where the Stems meet the keel.

Added menuverability can be obtained and refined by softening or hardening the radius of the angle of the stems and the keel and of coiurse changing the rocker. Kit built yaks will have consistantly similar performance, Plan built will probably have more variations. When I put my Merganser up for a refit this winter I'll probably soften the bows entry a bit to give a bit more menuverability and soften up my Mergansers stiff tracking.