: 3) Whether because of my slightly modified build or by design, this boat
: flexes a lot. I believe this is intentional based on what I know about
: baidarkas, but I hadn't realized it would be quite so dramatic.

I'm glad you like the Nikum's performance, though I must admit that it was
never designed to flex anything like your's.

Most traditional Baidarka's had fairly tall gunwales and keel( 1.75" Gunwale
and 1.85" Keel for MAE-593-76).... taller than those designed for the Nikumi
(1.5" gunwale and 1" Keel)

Then again, if you're happy with it, that's what matters Try the Nikumi 19
next, I think you'll like it even more.

Tom