Hi, I built a G17 last year but I didn't fit a skeg. I'm sorry now, as I find the boat a little wayward at times ( but that could be my paddling !! ) and to add a skeg ( especially a retractable one ) is really very difficult when the boat is finished. It would have been soooo easy before I joined the hull and deck.

In short, I would add a skeg, then if you find you can live without it, just leave it retracted.

As the fellow said.. it's better to be looking at it, than looking for it !!