You might want to look at Rob Bryan's kayak designs for a retractable skeg design that looks like it should really work well. It is circular in shape so that no matter what degree it is deployed, it entirely fills the slot that it recesses into. The control lines I believe are all above the deck, eliminating the water-proofing problems.

See Wooden Boat magazine issue # 115 for a feature on his Seguin, 18'x21" design and issue #146 page 90 for his new design, the Sasanoa, 17'x24". These are stitch and glue boats in the Greenland design and they are quite nice looking.

Dave

>

I have reached the keel strips and am planning on leaving a section
> unglued for easy removal when I install the retractable skeg as a unit.

> What I need to know is where to locate it. using measurements from a P&H
> Capella, I come up with an opening staring at form 13 extending to
> 3.75" past form 14. This leaves an opening of 16.5" in length.

> These dimensions are based on the P&H design and may not be optimal for
> the Guillemot.

> This question is for those who have added retractable or fixed skegs, What
> placement did you use and how did it work?

> TOA

> Greg