When upright, the keel of a kayak tends to keep it going straight. Lean a hard-chine kayak over far enough, and the chine will start to function as a keel. However, since the chine is curved, the boat starts to carve a turn. You get some benefit from leaning a multi-chine kayak while turning. Like the Osprey Standard and Coho, the Arctic Tern tracks well and does a fine job of running down wind in following seas.
Paddlers experience all three kayaks as extremely easy to control and paddle without a rudder.
They all make great boats for extended camping or day trips. The cruising speed and stability for all three are approximately the same. These are our best selling solo boats. Of the three boats, the Arctic Tern carves the crispest turns and is the most maneuverable. The Osprey Standard tracks the strongest and runs down wind the easiest.