Brandon, I built and now paddle a Tern, and I am just about exactly the same size as Heather. I haven't done any expedition paddling, just day stuff (sadly, it's easier to find bits of time here and there to build and harder to find chucks of time to get to good water to paddle). Anyway, its a great kayak. I think if any kayak in that size range will handle that gear, then the Tern surely will too. It is competitive with anything in that range. Pygmy would probably give you a candid assessment. As for saving time by building from a kit, you will save lots. Plus, Pygmy really does cut a perfect line in producing its kits. Very desirable to have that level of accuracy if time is an issue for you - the parts went together easily and perfectly.

Good luck.