I haven't paddled either boat, but my personal bend is more towards the Merganser (or 'Mersanger' as you wrote while in a temporary bout of dyslexia ;-) I think the upswept bow and stern are nicer for splitting waves out on big water, and the flush hatches are nicer for when that big wave comes crashing down over the bow. A flush hatch could be done on the Pautexent, but would require some custom work. Also, the small angled shear panels on the Merganser's deck mean fewer knuckle-bangs. I'm a bit biased because my first boat was an Arctic Tern, and the Merganser is similar.

My $0.02...

Dean

> I think my SO has finally settled on either a Patuxent 17 by CLC or
> Mersanger 17 from Shearwater boats. Either would be a plans construction.

> Any final words of wisdom on performance for me to pass along to her? I
> realize they are totally different boats.

> Her wants are a boat capable of ocean going. Doesn't seem to worry about
> initial stability, shes already pretty experienced in a yak, and wants to
> be able to camp from the yak.

> Thanks,

> Pete albany, NY

> Ps. I almost have my Ross Leidy style yak cradles done for my thule roof
> rack. The cradles are all laminated already (5 layers of 1/16"
> steambent birch ply laid around a form similar to his) and are covered on
> both sides with 10 oz glass. I still have to mount the blocks to hold the
> cradles to the rack rails and drill and mount the attachment screws.