JOINING A CLUB…
…would be one of the best things you could do. One big advantage of joining a club is not only getting the same information you’ll get here, but getting it face-to-face, interactively, from engaged paddlers, who are usually more than happy to share experience and help out.
You might even consider joining pre-purchase -in all probability you’ll not only receive well-informed local knowledge of both boats and locales, but perhaps invitations to try some boats.
Your move from a duckie to a hardshell is a good first step, considering where you want to paddle, what you want to do when paddling, and your size.
The T (as in Tarpon)-160 is a venerable, long-time model that routinely garners a lot of pretty good reviews from the paddling community, especially for an SOT. It is a fast boat in the right hands, and it certainly is a stable boat, and can carry a lot of paddler and a lot of gear but 160s are heavy -and getting to and from your put-in from your car is a pretty important consideration for a lot of people. A trailer is a good first step -little lifting compared to a rooftop car rack -but it costs more, in terms of initial outlay for both trailer AND hitch (if you don’t have one and your car is OK towing -many aren’t so recommended, but kayak rigs are light, so they’re probably OK even when not “recommended” (see threads here on PNET re. towing, etc., for firther discussions) -check first for potential warranty voiding if towing), licensing, possibly insurance, and you need to feel comfortable driving with a trailer, especially in reverse. Getting back on an SOT after a dump -it’s a case of when, not if, trust us on that one! -is usually easier for most folks, and that should be a consideration when contemplating paddling in coastal, tidal, and wave/wind-prone areas like the Chesapeake regardless of type of kayak.
The T(as in Tempest)-165, on the other hand, is a SINK (Sit-INside Kayak) that, no offense, but at your size I’d recommend that you at least try sitting in, and getting in and out of -even on dry ground -before further consideration. SINKs have many more positive paddling features and benefits, among which are -usually - efficiency of paddling (either getting more speed for the same amount of effort, or getting more distance for the same speed), and perhaps most importantly, seaworthiness. And SINKs are, broadly generally, lighter and therefore a bit easier to rack, than similarly sized SOTs
On the other hand, SINKs in general are far more tippy or twitchy to newbies -and that level of comparative “instability” may put you off from one going thru with a purchase. Again, experience here overwhelming suggests you’ll get used to that after initially needing to learn how to deal with it. I started out in a 34" wide tandem, and now my wife and I routinely paddle -and enjoy -21" boats. SINKs may be more difficult to enter and exit, and need good posture when paddling to develop comfortable, more efficient paddling strokes -which, while also the case for SOTs, aren’t “needed” in the latter nearly as much as in SINKs.
And a closing note -as noted in a prior post about Sea Eagle paddles -you’ll not br buying just a boat -you’ll be buying at least a minimum “paddling package”:
. 1) The boat;
. 2) A good (it doesn’t have to be great the first time out) paddle;
. 3) A good (comfortable for paddling and wearing -so you WILL wear it) PFD;
. 4) Boat transportation (roof rack or trailer, the better, the better…!)
. 5) Suitable attire (a 2nd discussion re: cool/cold weather paddling)
Don’t fear buying used -of our 9 boats, 7 were bought used, as were 4 paddles, 2 roof racks, and 2 PFDs. They all work/worked well, and we saved a bundle!
Good luck in your search, and may you find a good starter boat and get out on the water this year, with a big smile on your face, as you
PADDLE ON!
-Frank in Miami