: in that case, then the way your (are you greg steeves?) skeg deploys might be
: great, as the area increases more slowly near full deployment because of
: the rear cutout. it actually works better than a vertical deployer.

: a linear deployment shape would be the vertical like you say or close to that
: (not quite) would be a fan or pie shape -each angle inc also inc area.

: my personal prejudice (very very generally) would be to place the skeg close
: to the cockpit (cg) so that i can play w/ sideslip, and with certain skeg
: designs have contact options.

Hi there, guys.

So, which of these two shapes do you think will be better?

Assume that: the areas and thickness of each are the same, the front end (at the right) point is the same location on the keel, both are adjustable, the leading and trailing edges are sharpened to blades, but most of the surfaces are flat rather than arced like an airplane wing.

I'm betting (by actually building and installing them on Cohoes) that the longer unit will be more efficient because, a) its drag profile will be less, and b) by being longer from the same pivot point, it will move the center of lateral resistance more aft for all settings from none to full.

Mike's idea of having the skeg near the middle of the boat then, according to this, should have little effect as it would be too near the center of lateral resistance to relocate it much.

I sure hope Ross Leidy's new design program will be able to handle this kind of playing around... .

Pete Roszyk,
in Snohomish, WA