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Before purchasing the Baffin I tried on a lot of different sizes, models and brands. As soon as I took it out for a test paddle though, I knew it was the one. For perspective - I am 5'3" , 130lbs , intermediate paddler (although at the time I was a beginning paddler). This boat has been used mostly for east coast sea kayaking and more recently for lakes and rivers. It performs very well in all venues. There's lots of room for day trip gear, but a bit tight for extended trips. Nice dry, soft and easy hatches, simple smoothly operating 'dial-a-skeg', but the main selling point (with my smaller size) was the smaller, lower keyhole cockpit extending into a lower back deck. It's a very comfortable and stable boat while still being maneuverable. Skeg down for good tracking. Skeg up for play boat and rock hopping. Surfs well, rolls well and if the roll doesn't work out then the low back deck makes a cowboy self-rescue fairly quick and easy. I'd say the only drawbacks for me would be the weight (no way am I able to lift this onto a roof rack, but that's true for any plastic boat of this size range), and it weathercocks to a fairly high degree, especially in a following sea (which can be corrected somewhat with the skeg). I still love this boat and expect to have it until I can't paddle anymore.