if its speed you're looking for pay attention to the amount of "wetted
surface" which is a measure of hull surface friction with the water. try
to keep it low. of two identical boats the lighter weight one will sit
higher in the water and have less wetted surface.

also pay attention to the shape of the hull. of any two boats with the
same wetted surface, a long narrow boat will be faster than a short fat boat.

faster boats, being narrower, are less stable. in small boats like kayaks
they need more paddler balance than slow boats. they gain stability once
they get going. a younger person should be better able to balance and
paddle a faster boat. younger persons are more flexible phsically and more
adaptable mentally.

its not easy to get the wetted surface measure for a mass market boat
for a specified load. not many people ask for the information. the
sales rep might have the numbers or be able to get them from the designer.
they should have been calculated by the designer.

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