I am 6' tall and a 160 lbs. I just built an Artic Tern 14. I have only paddled it once on a small lake on a windy day. The boat handled great. I could not notice any weather cocking, it turned very well with a leaned turn and tracked good. The cockpit fits me well. I can't wait to take it out on Lake Superior on a rough day. It is very manuverable and quick. Although I'm sure it lacks top speed in comparison to a longer boat. Maybe some of these characteristics might suite your needs.

: Greetings all.

: I've been lurking for a while now and am looking for a recommendation. I am
: trying to decide between an Arctic Tern and a Coho. I am 5'6" and 155
: lbs. I live at the North end of a 20 mile long bay that is orineted
: straight South from here (Mobile bay) and in the summer, afternoon winds
: of 20 mph are not at all uncommon.

: For mostly day tripping in the delta and down into the bay, which design
: would be better? Is either one going to be too big? Also since on calmer
: days my family will be along in their boats, I need a fairly agile
: sprinter in case I have to do the dad thing. Oh yeah, just to make it more
: interesting, we won't be doing much kayak camping or anything (at least
: it's not in the plans today), but I get to run the designated cargo boat
: (am I looking for a guide boat here?).

: Thanks.