I was trading emails with Eric Schade regarding my Mergansers tendensies to weathercock in quartering winds above 10 mph he said having a sharp transition from the keel to bow stem would increase that tendency. Softening the transition while leaving the stern along would reduce the weathercocking. My plan is to take about 3/4 to 1" of the transition at the bow to soften it hopefully improving the weathercocking a bit.

BTW my merganser punches right through 3-5' surf with minimal rising. very comfortable getting out through surf.