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.
