Hi Wipeout;
Have you considered a Seaward Kayak. They hand craft composite and thermoform kayaks on Vancouver Island, Canada. They have a dealer in the Seattle area that could put you in a boat to try on (Aqua Trek Kayak & Marine Center. They also have a dealer in California (Kayak Connection).

The trick with buying a kayak is getting one that fits you like a shoe. You're going to be in the boat for any length of time you want the fit to be right or you will suffer (as it sounds that you did in Alaska). Try before you buy, definitely.

Seaward Kayaks has boats that can be built in a higher volume for those of us that are larger. They also have tandems that will fit you. Their Passat, Passat G3 (voted best tandems by the readers here at Seakayaker magazine) and Southwind kayaks will fit you. They also have a number of singles that would work for you. The high volume Tyee or especially the Vision would suit you just fine. Also in the Thermoform Plastic Chinook TX would fit you out of the box.

I hope this helps and good luck with your hunt.

Thanks Enjel

I will check them out. I really appreciate your help

Robert

Hey Wipedout, I am 6'10" and 250. My wife and I just purchased a used Dagger Trinidad tandem (17'6" long - 28" beam at the rear cockpit). It works well for us, great stability, speed is okay. My wife and I love it. I am planning on building the Pygmy Borealis XL for a solo kayak. The people at Pygmy assure me there is plenty of room for long legs and size 14 feet!

THanks Jim

Ill put that on the list