Jerry I thought you were supposed to lift the skeg when you turn. I don't always do that and it does make it more difficult to turn. I usually realize my error right away. I use it a lot in the Narrow river because the current kept pushing me to the side. It does help me. I use my kayak 90% of the time in saltwater and it's very rocky here so I like the control in keeping it tracking straight. I don't have a rudder on the kayak I use but we do have rudders on the Norkapp and the Cape Horn we have. I don't use them, I stick to my Perception America because I take Brendan with me so I'm more of a recreational yakker at this point. We had to add the skeg kit to it. I have never rolled my kayak. I've come close to tipping it a few times but never lost it. It isn't a totally flat bottom but it is a wider profile. I just feel like I sit too low in it for fishing. I agree that it is better to equipt the kayak the way you would like it instead letting a company do it. My husband added all his rod holders to his Perception himself. It's also not a good idea to anchor a kayak in any sort of current to fish. If you do have one that takes on water you're setting yourself up for disaster. My husband loves his Norkapp but you couldn't fish out of that and it will roll on you. Deb
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of jerry goldsmith Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 2:00 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [VFB] Kayak question > On Behalf Of Deborah Duran > Subject: RE: [VFB] Kayak question > > I'm sorry I mistyped it has a skeg not a rudder. If you have either one > it helps a lot to navigate. The smaller and shorter kayaks are a little more difficult to navigate in any current. > Deb [jerry goldsmith] Deb, skegs and rudders will help you track. A skeg will actually make turning a little more difficult unless you can lean turn your Yak or if your Yak has a decent rocker. Not true for almost all Sit-on-tops. If you are using your rudder to turn, you need paddling lessons. The rudder is useful for keeping you on a drift, or on track when the yak wants to quarter due to wind or current. (or to steady the yak during a rescue ) The rudder creates huge drag and is counter productive to have down when simply turning. Very generally speaking, shorter yaks are more maneuverable and longer yaks are faster and track better--VERY GENERAL !! JG
