Mike, Another conversation I've had since this thread brought up another factor I hadn't thought of before. The Greenland Night Heron (which is what I have) reportedly handles significantly different in rough water than the other models. With the short period between Great Lakes waves the kayak frequently is spanning more than one wave at a time, which means at any given time your bow might be buried in the wave in front of you or the stern in the wave behind you. The flat rear deck, and even the flat on the bow forward of the hatch, don't shed water well or evenly, it runs off one side or the other depending on how the boat is tipped. Perhaps this is also pushing the boat around more and making it more work to control than the full volume version. It certainly puts the brakes on your speed when the bow is buried. I know my decks are awash often when my paddling buddies are riding high and dry. I really like the looks and "rollability" of my Greenland version, but if I were building again I would opt for one of the higher, more rounded deck versions.

: Just getting some information prior to building a Night Heron. I
: plan to use the boat in great lakes with rough water. Does
: anyone think a Rudder or Skeg is a good idea. The reason I'm
: asking I was out in very rough water in my 14 foot Perception
: Carolina with following seas(lakes). When the waves were going
: faster than I was I had to fight to keep the thing going
: straight without broaching. It wore me out. I'm sure the Night
: Heron will track better, but if I'm going to add something I'm
: guessing its best to plan it from the start. I see that a lot of
: thermoformed kayaks (like the Hurricane Tracer) has the skeg
: built in (nice slide lever near the cockpit). Is there something
: made like that for wooden boat installation?

: Thanks
: Mike