Okay, from what I gather so far, the "speed" of a kayak is listed in two ways, cruising speed and top speed. It seems to me that these speeds would be relative to the paddler. What could be "cruising" for one person may be "top speed" for someone else. How then can they list numbers (waterline and wetted surface) to describe these speeds? If the terms "cruising speed" and "top speed" are not relative, what is the exact speed (or thereabouts) where cruising speed ends and top speed begins? If I want to be kayaking for the purpose of getting a good workout most of the time should I be more concerned with "cruising speed" or "top speed?"

Thansk for putting up with a newbie,
Ken