I’ve had a CLC 16, Pax 20, currently paddle an expedition single, and row a 17’ cedar canoe. They all go about the same speed over distance it seems…about 4 knots or 5mph. I am 6’ tall and weigh 180 lbs. I have plans for s&g shearwater but am attracted to the WR 180 for its speed potential being slightly longer and its multichine look. I paddle a large lake so its railroad steering is not a big problem to me and I’d like a second kayak for general paddling and occasional bursts of speed. What would you do?
The old West River 180 (buildable from plans) is strikingly fast in smooth water. Very low wetted surface, just nothing to stop it. A great many races are won in that boat to this day. It's cranky in waves, which occasioned the complete stem-to-stern redesign in 2002 to create the West River 18, which is perhaps 8% slower but has nice manners. The new WR18 WOULD be buildable from plans if I could find the time to draw them.
Plans for the original West River 180 are contained in the book The New Kayak Shop.
I have a WR 18 and am pretty fast in it but I have been smoked by a Pax 18 so I have a hard time believing you would be able to go faster in a WR 18 than the Pax 20. I'm thinking seriously of building a strip Pax 18 as I need to go faster! That being said the WR 18 is a fantastic boat and fun to build also.
George K
"...but I have been smoked by a Pax 18 ..."
Hmmm. Which end did it puff on?