: Beautiful night for a launch. This boat is wonderful. She is more
: stable than I imagined and tracks well while paddling, but
: drifts one way or the other when coasting. Im new to kayaking,
: but from the pics my wife took, the bow seems kind of high. Any
: input?

First, the high bow. The measurement I see most often, and the one I use, is four inches from the paddler's back to the coaming. Somewhere in this area will bring your bow down. This will also make layback rolls a cinch.

Second, tracking. Nick describes the Petrel as "a rough water play kayak". This kind of activity requires maneuverability which the Petrel has in spades. When this maneuverability is not required just drop your adjustable skeg. Nick has one on his Petrel. You can see the skeg control just under the cockpit here:
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/files/images/Petrel-Bow.jpg

Anyone who can build a kayak as beautifully as you should have no problem adding an adjustable skeg.

~Bob