> I'm considering building the 17'-0"Putz Walrus. I'm 6'0", 185#,
> size 12 feet. It would be my first kayak. Is it suitable to my size? And
> is it a stable enough boat for a first-time, relatively non-athletic
> kayaker? Thanks for any input. Tom

Tom,

I just built one this year, I'm 5' 11" and 170 lbs., with size 10 feet. It is big enough for me. If you build it make sure to not have a raised floor at your feet. I did a smaller cockpit than it calls for. I also built and positioned the deck beams so they fit me tightly. It can be highly customized with a huge cockpit area or a tiny one, make it to fit yourself, the plans are not very specific in that area. Mine would be too small for you, but that is how I built it.

The kayak will feel tippy at first, it did to me, but by the third time paddling it, I was having a blast. It tracks straight with the external keel but the hard chine allows for sharp crisp turns, sharper than my Pygmy Arctic Tern. I am new to paddling this year, I had been in a double three times before this year, that is it. My wife thought the kayak was stable enough, and she does not like to get wet. The kayak is very easy to paddle because of it's narrow beam, fine entry and light weight. If you want rock solid initial stability this is not the boat for you, it has moderate initial stability, but it has good secondary stability. The Putz will help you to learn how to do leaned turns because it responds to them so well.

I like the kayak so much I'm planning to build a strip version of it for myself. I will probably add more rise to the bow, as I am used to having a very high bow like the Pygmy Arctic Tern.

I highly recommend the Putz. Just customize to cockpit area to youself, he allows for that in the book. Take it off the forms before you build the deck beams at the front of the cockpit, get in the kayak and make them to fit yourself.

I can answer any other specific questions, because I just built it this summer.

Mike