: Got any opinions of whether the chesapeake lt17 is better outfitted with a
: rudder or skeg?
: thanks
What are your paddling conditions? I find with ocean paddling and variable swell, wind and wave conditions from the rear quarters a rudder is often handy and conserves paddling energy. The rest of the time, I don't use it. Skegs seem to take more fiddling in those conditions and the few people I know using them have periodic jamming problems.
You can set your boat up with fixed pegs and toe cable controls for better bracing and even take the rudder off until a trip where you think you will need it.

Randy