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> Does anyone have experience with both of these boats? I am trying to
> decide which to build - I have paddled the Coho and liked it quite a bit.
> My concerns are stability, maneuverability, and carrying capacity. Having
> not paddled and AT (or actually seen a live one), I can use my brief
> experience with a Coho as a reference point. The major uses of the boat
> will be for 7-10 day camping trips and just playing in. Besides big water,
> I would like to take the boat into smaller streams on occasion, so the
> tighter turning of the AT might be an advantage. Any insights would be
> appreciated.
As a novice kayaker let me give you my impressions. I have recently completed an Arctic Tern and I have paddled the Coho enough to make a valid comparison from an every day paddlers viewpoint. I transitioned from a Rainforest Designs Telkwa, 18 ft.+, 24" or more expedition kayak. Now to the Pygmys. First, the capacity and ability to use either kayak for a 7 day expedition is close enough to the same so that this should not be an issue. The Tern is a bit shorter (maybe 6 inches) and a bit more "tippy"; that is the initial stability is less but the secondary is rock solid and there is a little learning curve for most kayakers to get used to. The speed of both kayaks with the same paddler is close enough so that should not be an issue. The Tern tracks like it is on rails and must be leaned to get fast turns. The Coho is also a straight tracker but cannot turn as fast as a leaned Tern. In a nutshell, the two models are very close cousins. I love them both. The Tern goes together a bit easier as it has less chines (panels) in the hull to be stitched and glued. The Tern kit is also a bit lower in price, probably for the same reason. I don't see how you could go wrong with either one. The Tern just felt better to me when I tried them both out prior to building one. Maybe this might be an option for you? Happy Trails, Dave Murray
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
