> Thank you all for advising on Arctic Tern - hard decision because I have
> not had the opportunity to paddle a hard chined boat before. Has anybody
> seen a professional review of this boat? I know it is a relatively new
> design so maybe none of the major reviewer's have had a chance to look at
> it. Also - has anybody tried both Arctic Tern vs Coho? Any feelings about
> the two? I am especially worried about spending so much time and money and
> finding that the will feel too large for me (5 foot 7inches, 150 lbs).
> Opinions?

There was a review of the coho in Sea Kayaker magazine a few months ago -- maybe April. I built a coho and I am very pleased with it. You will find the cockpit spacious. I am 6' and 175 lbs. and I had to add a lot of padding to achieve an appropriately snug fit. To do so I found it necasary to replace the seat back because the included seat back mounts to the side supports just where I needed to attach the padding to snug up my hips. Not difficult but a shame in that I had found the origional seat back very comfortable. I also added "keyhole ." knee braces to imprve cockpit fit.

Since the Tern has the same width as the coho I am assuming that the cockpits are the pretty much the same.

You didn't ask but ... I am not pleases with the hatch closer design. Adequately watertight but the cinch cams are not something I woul want sliding under me during a rough water self rescue. Also, the webbing straps have been the first part of the boat to wear out.

A couple of great modifications with instructions can be found at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/btreecs/ the footpeg mod. is easy, the recessed line fittings was much tougher -- but worth it.

good luck and enjoy the process whichever kit you choose,