I owned an Artic Tern 14 for a few years and loved it. I'm 165 lbs. and found it to be very neutral in wind and waves and a blast to paddle in rough conditions. I haven't paddled a kayak that has matched it's versatility yet. The only down side is that it can be a challenge to keep up with a group of strong paddlers.
If you want to reduce the weathercocking on your current kayak you can try installing a 1" x 18" skeg on the keeline. A skeg this size can greatly reduce weathercocking without loosing much maneuverability. The close it's located to the cockpit area the more advantages it offers. Just be careful not to locate it to far aft or the kayak may leecock. A piece of 1/4" plywood and some duct tape will get you started. Just keep trying it in different locations along the keeline until you get the handling you want.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2906908110063896127CfkgdQ
Messages In This Thread
- S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
David Kroll -- 7/2/2010, 3:43 am- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking *PIC*
Don Goss -- 7/5/2010, 9:11 am- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
Terry Haines -- 7/3/2010, 12:30 am- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
Brian Nystrom -- 7/3/2010, 1:57 pm- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
David Kroll -- 7/3/2010, 1:28 pm - Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
Mike Hanks -- 7/2/2010, 11:38 pm- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
Eric -- 7/2/2010, 5:59 pm- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
Dave Gentry -- 7/2/2010, 8:12 am- Duane Strosaker strap-on skeg
Mike Bielski -- 7/2/2010, 9:11 am
- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
Fred -- 7/2/2010, 8:04 am- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
Brian Nystrom -- 7/2/2010, 7:29 am - Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking
- Re: S&G: Pygmy kayak weather cocking *PIC*