: Your NEXT kayak!

: Why do ya think most folk here have more than one? :) They say ya
: can't have just one potato chip ... it's true for kayaks as
: well. The only thing that's saving us kayakers is that kayaks
: are more expensive than potato chips!

: IMO the criteria of "best" is a moving target ... so I
: like the quiver approach. Each time ya buy or build a boat ...
: decide what you'd like and do the beat ya can ... 'cause fact is
: ... if a get into it ... you're gonna have more than just one.

: Ken Blanton

I was just about to say what Ken just said.

Here's a couple of things to keep in mind:
It is not possible to build only one boat.
Your first build will have a lot of things you wish you had done better or differently.
It's a big leap from a Manitou to a high performance boat like the ones you are considering.
The more high performance boats tend to have more complex curves which are more challenging to build.

My suggestion is to start with a Great Auk. It's super-stable, carries a lot of gear and is a relatively simple build.
After you've paddled it for a season or two, you will have a much better idea of which high-performance boat you want to build next.
Keep the Great Auk as a guest boat.

Also, as a person of similar height and foot size, I strongly suggest trying out any design before you shell out any money.
I had to sell my first kayak because my size 11 shoes were too cramped, even though it was advertised as fitting up to size 12-1/2!

-Wes