I would never bash QCC
If I put things in order of priority,
1) weight
2) speed
3) intermediate skill now, but something that will grow with me.
4) able to still handle short trips on open seas (don't need a ton of storage).
* 6'1" 190lbs.
with that said even if my next yak isn't exactly like my Tempest thats ok.
anyone have any other kayaks they think would be a good choice?
KYLE
You could look for a pretty kayak…
… gotta wake up and look at it in the morning ya know… 
grayhawk actually my pretty,
WIFE is keeping me busy today. this is her day. i can’t find a prettier one than her.
KYLE
Weight Difference
My all carbon QCC700 is 7.2 lbs lighter than my all Kevlar QCC700. You absolutely WILL feel the difference on the water with reagrds to both weight and stiffness. You will also feel the difference when putting her on the roof of your car.
New all carbon QCC700 with rudder for $3195 is a tough deal to beat. Plus you can pick your colors.
any other kayaks… be a good choice?
"…any other kayaks they think would be a good choice?"
Yes, many other kayaks worth considering. Every boat has a somewhat different personality and different boats have differing capabilities. Paddle as many different ones as you can before deciding on what you want.
OR
Go ahead and order a Q700 and see if you like it. You can always repack it and send it back if you don’t like it or sell it if you find a boat you like more.
Bottom line is that there are many good boats out there.
Wait a minute!!!
Grayhawk, rumor has it you were spotted paddling a yellow QCC700 on the Estero River in January, and your response to this? 
HEX
Tis True… L
JackL made me do it…
Wait till next year…
The Q 700
is a very efficient boat. I had a chance to paddle one in Florida this past winter and could find little to not like about it except, perhaps, the Smart Trac rudder. It was a tough call between the Caribou S and the 700. Somehow, the 'Bou felt a little more “right” and the weight in standard layup was less. So now I’m paddling a Caribou.
thanks jmyers
i will try and get out to demo the Q700 sometime. its just more difficult as there are no local dealers.
anyone with thoughts on how epic 16x or 18x compares? i just talked to someone with the company and that is the boat(s) they recommended.
KYLE
!8X
I have a Epic 18X its white on white and a real sharp boat.
Its not as stable as the Qcc but is faster,I judge that on paddling a Q and having a Epic Endurance for a couple of years.
I like the open cockpit and the gas pedal steering of the 18X
The rudder system I`m not sold on yet I guess time will tell.
It just depends on what you want your Kayak for
Thats my 2 cents
I think…
QCC's are ugly. IMHO
But I think my Artisan Millenium is real pretty, and very well made.
Andy
And a beautiful kayak is what you want
if you’re taking on the Passaic River.
(Just joking Andy … I’ve lived in Northern Jersey.)
Absolutely Gary
The ugly needs to be balanced by pretty. Just by me being out on that river in my pretty boat made the river look better.
Andy
My Caspian Sea (Q400X) is quite pretty.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
seriously
that is one nice looking boat you have.
Just wanted to stir up
this QCC love fest.
Andy
Gary
I’ll be in Maryland Wednesday, planning on paddling around Wye Island.
Friday afternoon, should be at Trap Pond State park in DE.
I’ll have my pretty boat with me.
Andy
Hey that’s great
You’ll really enjoy it over there.
Here’s a link to the water temp in that general area of the Bay - 63 right now.
http://seaboard.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=tplm2
Enjoy it.
“Ugly”? From the back maybe! L**NM
thanks potterspoint434 for the input
looking at your profile, it’s pretty close to mine. i’m going to demo some yaks in the real near future and go from there. i’ve heard a lot of good things about the epic endurance / 18X. the one good thing is that i’m in no hurry, when i find the right one i’m sure i will know.
KYLE