Do you plan on mostly day trips or mostly camping? She is on the light side for day paddling the 17. It is best for people over 150 pounds. The 14 is better for speeds under 4 knots, at about 4-1/2 knots it feels like it is topping out. If she had the 14, you could take most of the gear on longer trips. The 14 will track better than the 17 with just her and no gear, but the 17 will be better with a lot of gear in it.

Mike Hanks

: Greetings! Well, I have decided to build two Pygmy Arctic Terns for my wife
: and myself. Now the issue is which ones. Should I build one 14' and one
: 17' or both 14' or whatever? Here is what we are looking for.

: - We are beginners
: - We hope to camp/kayak for up to three weeks
: - We are primarily on the Eastern seaboard, Maine, MA and CT coasts
: - We live in a one-bedroom apartment with an 18' x 12' Living room (only
: building space)
: - We are both 5' 8" I weigh 185 and she weighs (she'll kill me) 135
: - We drive a Honda Civic