: Dave--

: I agree that all of the options you present will have an effect in the
: desired direction. If I had to choose one, I'd choose the skeg (even
: though it's against my religion, but that's another story) because the
: paddler can adjust it themselves while they are on the water.

: Mike Scarborough
: Friendship Kayak

Mike,

An adjustable skeg certainly gives the paddler the ability to make a weathercocking kayak continue to weathercock to help tracking into the wind by leaving it up, can make the kayak wind neutral for paddling in a crosswind by partially extending it, and make the kayak leecock for tracking downwind by extending it fully down. It will also compensate for forward/aft weight loading of gear which also affects weathercocking.

Skegs when down however greatly increase a kayak's tracking and require more paddle effort to turn the kayak. I opt to move the CG (paddler and gear location) to minimize the required skeg size. I also prefer to stick to basics and avoid the moving parts of a retractable skeg or a rudder and develop the paddling skills for tracking. My choice is to find a good kayak design that has the preferred degree of tracking, is near wind neutral and with enough space between my back and the coaming for rolls. My current kayak does the last two just fine but it tracks like a train. It is a Yare with the back coaming and seat moved back 2-1/2 inches and a fixed skeg added. The quest for a perfect boat goes on. Back to building my Ches 17.

By the way, a rudder when up acts like a sail and increases weathercocking, increasing the need to put it down in lesser crosswinds. But rudders were made to steer the boat so if a person opts to have one why have it up?