: I don't know how this affects you
: euro-paddlers, but it helps us narrow-bladed paddlers to have a flat deck.
: End rant.

One benefit for all (rolling) paddlers is that it lowers the aft deck while keeping the same relative amount of volume, and makes layback rolls easier. You really don't need that peak aft of the cockpit....it's not like you often shed big waves there, and when you do, they're just as likely breaking from the side and will roll off just as quickly, peak or no.

Not only a peak in the deck, but a peak in the back of the coaming really sucks.

Shawn