: Hello--

: I built the prototype BLUFIN this spring and am generally happy with it and
: its performance. It is a low profile multichine hull. It is intended as a
: performance touring boat. it is 18 feet by 21 inches.

: Issues I found this summer include: 1. it could track a little better to
: reduce weathercocking effect. I prefer not to have a retractable skeg or
: rudder.

: 2. low profile is good in wind as is but bow punches through waves.

: 3. Rear deck is 9-1/2" high at combing may be a little high but it rolls
: well as is.

: My current plan is to modify the tracking by adding some skeggyness to the
: stern but leave the rest as is as I am happy with it generally. I do not
: mind a bit of punching through waves and the deck seems OK to me (I'm
: 6'2") I have modified the origional plan in several ways but keep
: returning to the origional.

: what are your thoughts?
: --eric

Hi Eric,

I do not like the skeginess Idea. Only cause it makes back ferrying hard in a current. I'm sure this is not an issue for most kayakers, as most people who sea kayak, do so in the sea. I'm stuck with rivers.

course I don't like the wind trouble either.

Unfortunatly I can only give my opinion, as i have no experince with design, so I I can not offer real solutions.

It seems to me that if you increase the volumn in the bow, it will help keep from punching through the waves, and if the volume is increase more so in the Z direction, it may create a more balanced presentation to the wind?

Alternatly, instead of a skeg, what about more of a keal? that way the curren for my case would be presented a more even part of the hull. and not tend to crank the boat around.

I'm sure there are alot of problems with the keel, I've not seen them on a sea kayak before. I do not like them on a canoe as it prevents beign able to turn easily. the keel can cause grief in currents to, with eddie lines and the like, but I suspect less than the skeg.

Regards,

Myrl