Wow, good price
I do have boats like Stellar S12/S14, Impex Mystic/Hesper/Gale, Delta 12S, Swift Saranac Classic, etc. on my look-out list but I haven’t had much hope that I’d be able to find one for less than $1K.
Dagger Alchemy LV
A used Dagger Alchemy LV would be a great river boat for a small paddler.
Boreal Designs
Pakesso. Bought today for less than half retail price in the carbon fiber layup.
Time to cruise boat stores for end of season sales.
New Kestrel
at $598.99 and delivered to your door for a extra $100. A kayak he can also grow into.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/current-designs-kestrel-120-recreational-kayak-rotomolded~p~5135x/?filterString=s~kayak%2F&colorFamily=02
I wish we had boat stores around here.
I have to cruise 240 miles to get to the nearest boat shop of any consequence.
How it all turned out
Well, it didn’t go exactly as I’d planned…
DS wanted to make sure that his best friend could get a boat as well and, after some negotiation, we decided on two smaller rec boats instead of one touring boat. He got a Wilderness Systems Aspire 100 and his friend got a Dagger Zydeco 9. Got them both as demo boats from Kayak Corral. Along with two decent paddles, managed to get it all for close to the budget. Took them out over the weekend and the boys are both very happy. Mom is happy since I’m still significantly faster than them in my Tsunami. 
It wasn’t easy fitting my boy in an inexpensive rec boat. He’s skinny with long legs and BIG feet (yeah, sort of like a gangly puppy… lol) Had a tough time folding his legs and feet in a boat that was narrow and low enough for the rest of his body.
Like anything else for teenage boys, I expect they will grow out of these in a year or two but, overall, I’m happy with the way it turned out. Thanks for everyone’s help.
Exactly
I was told this directly from Hurricane when I asked what the difference was between the Excursion 140 and Tampico 140. I was wondering because they’re dimensionally so similar. They said that the Tampico is the better tracker (more efficient) and that the Excursion is more maneuverable. Too bad that you can’t get an Excursion with a skeg, although you can get a rudder.