I’m so grateful for the community here! Thanks for all these recommendations. I am continually researching and whittling down what will hopefully be most appropriate for me…but I don’t really know what I don’t know, so I’m open to advice. I’m looking forward to trying out the Sirius next week for starters…
Much appreciative,
Gregor
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So I’m checking out that Impex Force 3 on Sunday! Thanks for sending along that FB posting… It’s a 4 hour drive, but I’m going for it, in hopes I’ve got first dibs on it…I’ll let you know how it goes!
Appreciate all the good advice and info on this forum and in this post.
Gregor
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I move the seat back in my lower volume boats to make entering and exiting easier. Keep that in mind when test driving lower volume boats. A good shop can move a seat back or you can do it yourself.
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I admitted to some acquaintances yesterday that I now have three kayaks and saw some raised eyebrows. I didn’t mention that I still don’t own the one I have my eye on, due to distance and pandemic travel restrictions. So glad I can come on this site and be reassured that as long as I am under eleventy billion I am OK.
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A good start! lol Five, plus two canoes. Whenever I buy something new I always tell myself I can sell an old one and make room…
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You have likely heard this one …
Why do you have 3 kayaks?
Because I sold one.
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I second the Stratos S. I have one and I LOVE it. I am 63kg, 165cm 51yo F and I can load it on the roof racks of my tall SUV by myself without an issue. It’s like sitting in an armchair (for me anyway) and it’s a great combination of stability and maneouverability. Yes, it’s poly but its tough too.
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You can but you don’t, right?
So is Heaven seventy-two virgins or eleventy billion kayaks?
I suspect that rather than beginning with a list of models to look for, you will be better off just keeping an eye on what’s for sale near you, and checking into each model that isn’t obviously wrong for you. Look at the reviews here and maybe find out what the manufacturer says about it, if that doesn’t turn up anything bad, make an appointment to see - and test sit - the boat. Make sure the seller will let you sit in it (the pool noodles are a great idea, if you have to sit in it on the lawn rather than in the water) and adjust the footpegs to the right position for you, so your knees or thighs are in good contact with the underside of the deck.
I quickly learned that I don’t like a low foredeck that forces you to sit with legs straight out in front of you, so that pretty much ruled out Eddyline for me. I don’t mind a backband seat, so I’m happy with my Current Designs Caribou, but many people find that kind of seat doesn’t give enough back support. BTW, I recommend the Caribou for going fast in a straight line, but am a bit dubious that it would have enough foot room for a guy with long legs (the farther front, the smaller the cross-section).
In the sea-kayaking heyday (~2000), there were a lot of places renting kayaks. That is a wonderful way to see if a kayak is right for you, but nowadays it’s generally not an option. 
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I’m in CT, 4 boats at the moment (just emailed about another) it’s not too cold yet
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Yea, but he could. 
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Gotta give Rookie credit for that piece of advice - she gave it to me when I was shopping.
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