: I final got my Panache outfitted and in the water late last season and
: experienced some tremendous weathercocking when the wind was strong (15
: -20 mph). I couldn't bring the bow into the wind to save myself. I tried
: leaning to the point of nearly capsizing, sweep strokes and shifting my
: weight forward off the seat. Nothing worked. I'm considering putting a
: rudder on it this spring but before I do I wanted to hear if there are any
: other ways to solve the problem. Someone suggested weighting the bow but I
: can't bring myself to intentionally ADD weight to a kayak.

Weathercocking is when your bow is turned into the wind. What you describe is not weathercocking.

How much do you weigh? This boat is designed for someone in the 180 to 220 pound range. If you weigh less it could certainly be a factor.

You must be comfortable with leaning the sheer in the water and doing a strong sweep stroke. This kayak responds much better with a native paddle & technique in those conditions.

You can try moving your seat back or adding some weight in the rear hatch close to the seat bulkhead. This would lighten the bow and bring it upwind.

A finally you can add a rudder. You can construct a nesting end piece to attach the rudder for the stern of the Panache if you wish to retain the stern stem shape. Strip a cone shaped strip piece to fit over the stern stem and add blocking to the end for rudder attachment. You can lock it in place with a bolt through the grab loop hole.

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com