Both are great models that do things very similarly. What you need to ask yourself is what kind of water will you be traversing? Mostly protected bays or open water? The Copperhead is a great poling skiff that has a low freeboard. In terms of taking a chop, it does well when trimmed out however it skips over chop rather than cutting through it. It is a great protected water skiff. The Cayenne will have a higher freeboard and a little more pronounced nose that can cut through chop slightly better. Once you learn how to drive that skiff by utilizing the trim tabs (the skiff is very sensitive to trim), it is a lot of fun. In terms of poling, drafting and layout, they are similar. If you are needing something in that size range but need a drier ride for more open water traversing, I'd also look into the Advent or the Salt Marsh Heron 16. Similar size, similar layout, similar poling and draft capabilities, but better rides.
Robin I would be happy to let you demo the Advent when you come down this way, I am in Titusville about hour and a half away from the Ankona shop, send me a PM if you’d like
I had both
What didn't you like about the Cayenne?
The ride was pretty rough and wet. Granted it was a little choppy when I took it out. But those are the conditions I like to test a boat in. The first cayenne I looked at the guy had installed spray rails on it. I knew why when I got to test drive the second one.
The Cayenne is one of those skiffs you really gotta learn to drive with the trim tabs. It is very sensitive to trim. Once you find the sweet spot with the tabs in any conditions, it's a great riding skiff. The key is to run the skiff based on the conditions you are presented with.
That is absolutely true a little adjustment of engine trim, tabs and speed goes a long way
