You don't really _need_ the flare. I think it's good because you can get narrower waterline and still decent secondary stability. However kayak design is a matter of many things and nonraked sides at middle have their good sides.

Toni.

: i thought i read Rob Macks saying he adds some flare to his boats for better
: stability. Looking over the replica website i saw most all of those boats
: have varying degrees of flare at the hip.. most but not all..
: I'm assuming if you have good flare on the bow and stern then you need less
: at the hip...maybe a rockered boat relies on flare at the stems more than
: a less rockered boat.