CD Solstice GT
This boat has not been mentioned but there are a lot of used ones out there since it has been in production for a long time. A friend about your size just bought one and is very happy with it. You should be able to pick up a used one for the price of a new plastic.
Capella 173 vs. Aquanaut HV
Thanks for that feedback. This weekend at the Sea Kayak Symposium in Tacoma, WA, I will definitely be trying out the Capella 173. If Valley Sea Kayaks is there, which I’m sure they will be, I will also try the Aquanaut HV. But the Capella sounds great. Have you paddled the Tempest 180 and/or 170. If so, what do you think of those compared to the Capella 173. Thanks.
Prijon
Nothing against Prijon --it’s just that the models I’ve tried have been much bigger than I wanted for the paddling I do. They seem to be more popular with larger folks, or those who regularly carry a load.