Thanks Brian and Jon,

I needed to hear from other builders and paddlers to realize better that.

"Cockpit size is a personal decision. Learn all you can and then make the choice that seems best for your needs and preferences." It is true but my experience with different cockpit sizes in paddling is almost nil and I haven't built a boat before. Not to mention that the cockpit part of the boat is one I haven't gotten a strong understanding of and just hoped I get a better feel for it by the time it came to build it. I have looked at the form I made and tried to customize the size from my preference to a cockpit small enough to cover my knees when seated and legs straight. This seems to feel "right" to me. I am re-working my cockpit one piece "full ring" form to be 23 1/4" X 16 3/8" (just worked out that way) From 28" X 16". Luckily my reluctance to cut a bigger "pre-hole" in the deck allows me to make this change still !! Thanks and still interested in hearing about the merits of different cockpit sizes. It is clear that it is a personal presference so neither is good or bad, each one seems to have its own different compromises. I really think it is such a basic a feature that it should be better understood.

Joe