: Does anyone know about the Kari-Tek Hydro Skeg? Their site (
: http://www.karitek.co.uk/kbyre/acatalog/Skeg_Systems.html#aHSK01
: ) is kind of short on details. It looks like a master/slave
: cylinder type of system, but it really doesn't give much
: information about how the skeg works from an engineering
: standpoint, just "gee whiz it works good" information.
: The conversion to US dollars puts it at $325 +/- without
: shipping, so it's pretty steep. Great concept though. If you
: could get the parts it wouldn't be terrible to duplicate. It
: would be nice if they sold a hardware kit to let you build your
: own skeg and box.

: For the rudder-types, or people who want a rudder but don't want to
: broadcast it because you'd loose street cred with a rudder on
: your stern, they also make a retractable skeg/rudder. It would
: be awesome in a Mystery or a Havaracer.

: m

When I built My boat I was looking at the kari-tek products.

The hydroskeg is a fluid system and the big plus is that if you hit somthing the skeg will retract (only head on though)

it appears that the Hydroskeg has the saftey of a rope skeg IE the blade will retract if hit (only head on though!!!) and it has the Fine control of a Cable skeg.

But $300+ was out of the question not to mention you can still side swipe /break the blade, get stones caught in the housing (it will stick with little bitty stones regardless if its $300.00+ USD>) and at some point Im sure (it would happen to me) one has to get a leak or two during a long paddle.

Also having to carry tubing , fittings,extra piston/s and Hyd/brake fluid if your touring would be a pain. cables and ropes are simple.

I went with a Kajak sport SKEG -Kit last year from Newfound Boat supply. it installed very easy , well made, works smooth (without stones) and less than $100.00

hope this helped.

"John"