Thanks for the kind words. I'm afraid I have few, if any, kind words for the Osprey HP in return, however. It's one of the few boats I've sold off if that tells you anything. As I always said, the Osprey HP is easy enough to turn ... as long as you have three or four harbor tugs assisting.

When I first took off in my OI it was like "oh CRAP, here we go again..." But the OI rewards good technique handsomely, and that I can handle. Another thing I absolutely love about the OI is its relatively low volume. The Osprey HP is, like practically every other kayak in the known universe, cavernously huge in volume. I'm a small guy, you could fit several of me in most boats (not that more'n one of me is ever a good idea). As for speed and stability, it's hard to say when you're forced to paddle with your elbows practically at collar level in order to prevent deck-whacking. Okay, maybe it wasn't that bad. But let's say there are other boats I'd recommend before the OHP. Specifically, any boat.

That was a fun year. I had a Guillemot and the OHP. You couldn't even think straight in the former, and the latter require shifting the Earth under it to make course adjustments.

: I read your online diary of the various boats you've build-good stuff!
: Say, how the OI compares with Pygmy Osprey HP? They both have reputation for
: strong tracking and stiff turning, what about their comparative speed and
: stability?