: I'll be the heretic here--I installed a rudder on my strip-built Night Heron.

Its your boat so do what makes you happy. I paint the hulls of my boats which maddens a friend to no end.

After paddling my NH for about a yr I put an 18 inch long strip of wood on the stern of my NH, faired and glassed over it. The addition started out flush with the hull and gently rose to not quite 3/4 inch high at the stern. It tightened up the design so that it fit my style better. Most who tried it liked the change. Some did not. Its an easy thing to add and remove. I would suggest paddling it as is for a while and then make changes.

Commenting on the NH design its the only boat I sold to make room for another build that I wish I hadnt sold. Its a design that is pleasant to paddle and very easy on the eye. I see myself building the LV version someday.

Jim