> Mike, Thanks for the advice. I was hoping to hear from you as I had read
> some of your posts and will undoubtedly have more questions. What I've
> read so far doesn't indicate a capacity. Have any idea? I'd like to build
> a fairly large cockpit so I can take my three-year-old with me. By next
> summer (anticipated completion date) he'll be for and I'd guess about 45
> lbs. making our combined weight about 230. Thanks agaiin. Tom

I would consider the Putz 18 1/2 if I was planning on carrying two people. You can scale the kayak down to 17 feet if you want it only 17 feet long, use the forms from the 18 1/2 with the spacing of the 17, he said you can scale that version up or down 1 1/2 feet. The kayak will be a little wider giving it more stability for 2 people in it. The Putz 17 could handle it but I think you would be more comfortable in the wider version with two people. The wider version should still be quite easy to paddle as a single, my 17 is very easy to paddle. I think the beam would be around 23 or 24 inches, I don't have the book so I don't know for certain. The 18 1/2 would give room for your son to grow and you'd still be able to use the boat solo.

Mike