The background....

A couple of years ago I built a Storm LT and have had a lot of fun with it, but like most things new, you don't really know what you want until you've had it for a while. I originally had visions of paddling the coastal fringes with occasional trips away for a weekend (never happened). I still enjoy the coastal areas but find myself continually being drawn to the swells and surf zones at the mouth of our local rivers, so much fun! I seem to spend a lot of time sideways but I'm getting better at braced leaned turns and and I'm still learning “the roll”.

I am in the process of building a drop down skeg to hold the back end a bit better.
I think the Storm LT is a good kayak for general use, it came out at 20kg (too much), it's fast, reasonably manouvreable when leaned, handles rough water easily although you can't relax and let your guard down with a 19 1/2” waterline beam and seas from the rear quarter are a problem.

After building the Storm, I reckoned I'd never build another stripper, but here I am again (it must be a bit like a woman having a baby)
To cut a long story short, I have forgotten most of the pain and I am now ready to build another one.

Now....

I am looking for a little more stability, both primary and secondary, a bit more rocker for better manouvreablility, good at catching swells with good control but I still want to be able to go for a decent paddle around the coastline with reasonable speed and tracking, I have no real desire to be packed to the gunwales for extended camping although that could change. The idea of a drop down skeg in a kayak appeals to me because it means I can have the rocker for manouvreability and the skeg for good tracking, seems like a win win situation.

I had my eye on the Petrel, but the Redfish King or Golden also look appealing, I'd appreciate any advice and guidance from experienced users and also other options I may need to consider. I am 168cm (5'6”) 65kg (143lb) and on the less intense side of 60, so I will be concentrating on a light build for ease of loading on the ute after a paddling workout.

My head says the Petrel, my heart says the King or Golden, my wallet says neither as I really can't afford it.....nah, forget the wallet.

Thanks for your advice
Glen G