Paul Tomblin wrote:
I tried the Avocet on the weekend and loved it. But based on comments
that it's not the best boat for a 255 pound guy so I tried the Skerray,
which is similar, but bigger. And for some reason, while it was nice and
all, it didn't grab me the way the Avocet did.

For one thing, it didn't track straight at all, until I put down the skeg
a tiny bit. (If I put it down all the way I can't turn the thing at all!)
For another thing, the seat wasn't as tight a fit - maybe it was a bit
more comfortable, but I didn't have the same control over the boat.

Actually, I was hoping to find a boat that tracked straight with a skeg
and which I could spin when I raised the skeg, and this seems to fit the
bill pretty well.

Exactly. It needs a bit of skeg to keep them in line, at least until you
develop a good enough feel for them to control them with just the paddle
and body English.

So maybe all I need to do is custom fit this one a bit better and I'll
love it.

It's very simple to add a bit of padding where necessary. If the boat
suits you otherwise, that's the best way to go.

Still need to try both of them out on the lake in the waves a bit.

I think you'll find that they're both excellent. The Skerray is
significantly more stable, but it's a personal preference.