Well, a Nordkapp obviously. I wish I could find a better kayak. I've tried many, but few come close to making me feel like part of the water - in other words, the fact I'm in a kayak seems less obvious, connecting me more with the environment. Perhaps it is the low foredeck - I don't know. It is not a fast boat as some of the waterline is above the surface, but heavily loaded in a big sea, I can paddle at 3 to 4 knots and never tire.

My wife has an out-of-production McNulty Huntsman. She wanted a responsive British boat that didn't feel tippy despite its width. The hull cross section is a little flatter than modern designs, with flared out sides, translating to nice secondary stability (whatever that is, depending upon your understanding of hull dynamics).

I'm hoping to make a SOF this year for day trips and rolling tricks. I need to get both my teenage daughters some boats too.

Just about all my hardcore friends paddle NDK Romany kayaks, with WS Tempests and Necky Chathams next in the row