: Had a really odd idea whilst reading this discussion. What if you built the
: retractable skeg so that it didn't just drop/rotate VERTICALLY from it's
: housing, but also/instead slid BACKWARD?

: Imagine the ubiquitous utility knife with retractable blade. Now mount this
: in a highly rockered stern, perhaps with the top of the slot at or even
: slightly above waterline. Skeg slides out sternward.

I like the concept as it increases effective length and tracking without affecting depth.

While the utility knife is one analogy that home craftsmen might understand, I imagine aquatic creatures, who have never been exposed to the contents of a Home Depot, might apply other analogies upon seeing such an appendage on a small craft.

If I could translate the words of whales I'm sure one of them swimming under your boat would look up and say something along the lines of Mae West:

"Is that a skeg in that kayak, or is it just happy to see me"

PGJ