: here's a brief picture and comment overview of some of the integraters out
: there:
: http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=31420#31420

: -mick

Thanks for link Mick. its the mirage/epic kayaks that have had me thinking all night. I recently purchased Barton & chalupskeys "The Forward Stroke" which has some nice footage of the Epic18 playing out in the ocean so I googled it up to have a closer look. Until then i didn't realise the Epic had an integrated ruddeer a la' Mirage.
its not uncommon for a sea kayaker to have an opinion on the Mirage as there is normally at least one in every club/paddling group over here and they are without a doubt the fastest sea kayak in Aus.
So if the Mirage owners love them and Epic is now using an integrated rudder, there must be some merit to the idea.
i've put a hold on fixing deck to hull on my Cirrus while I have a good think about this option.
Cheers.