I prefer the idea of a retractable skeg. It can be tuned to give you the degree of tracking you need. I does not effect the lines of the boat much especially when compared to a rudder. And unlike most rudder systems, if it breaks, it does not effect your bracing ability.

Valley Canoe Products makes a decent system that can be retro-fitted. I recently put one in a boat. I haven't had a chance to try the boat.

> G'day all! I just finished building the 17' Endeavour from Steve
> Killing's design. I think it's a beautiful boat that'll suit my needs
> as far as camping goes and such. My problem however is that now that
> the boat's finished, and I've tried it out in a few different situations,
> I find it doesn't really track all too well. Now I'll admit, I'm pretty
> new to kayaking, but as far as I'm concerned, my skills are "up
> to par" so that shouldn't really be a problem. Now, when I talked
> with some other builders about the possibility of putting a rudder
> on this boat, the advice I was given was "it's up to you".
> I don't like rudders myself, and I thought that the design could do
> without one. But now I see that I made a mistake, and I would like
> some advice on fixing the problem.. I can see a few options offhand:
>

> 1) a skeg - a stupid looking thing that takes away from the beauty
> of the boat.

> 2) put up with it - don't do anything, leave it the way it is
> regardless of how hard I have to work to keep the boat from trailing
> off course.

> 3) a fixed rudder - a rudder that I would somehow fasten to the
> kayak in a more or less permanent way

> 4) a removalble rudder - a rudder that I could somehow attach
> to the stern that in the event I don't want it I can remove it (so
> far I like this one, but I've got a case of "designers block"
> trying to figure out how it should work/look)

> 5) sell the boat for scrap, and start all over with a different
> design..

> Any comments/suggestions/experiences/etc... in regards to this
> topic would greatly be appreciated..

> P.S. Has anyone here ever built one of Bear Mountain's Kayak
> desings such as the Endeavour?