All your technical observations are true.

And yet 17 plus foot/lv is exactly what I plan to build...Something along the lines of the Night Heron in maneuverability and length (or even longer) that will fit me. (After all, it will be easier to modify a boat to fit me than vice versa.)

If anyone has suggestions on a boat/kit sof, s/l or strip that might fit the bill, please chime in.
Thanks.

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: It's not just the cockpit fit that has to be considered. The boat has to be
: burdened enough to sink it to something close to it's designed waterline.
: A big boat with too little in it will sit high in the water, could feel
: tippy and may be unduely effected by the wind. I think a 17 footer is not
: in the cards unless it is somethag that is very low volume.