: Am building my first strip canoe a bootlegger while stripping
: bottom it hit me why not add a small keel strip. Has anyone on a
: bootlegger canoe or other kayak put a vertical strip on the
: center keel line protruding the width of a strip to create an
: actual keel similar to a small row boat would have? Would this
: create better tracking while paddeling? If so should the strip
: protrude from end to end and blend back in at the stems?

IMHO, There is no reason not to add some sort of skeg/keel if you want to. I have added a small one starting from nothing at the lowest point of the hull and increasing gently for about 6ft to the rear without extending below the design depth. Makes tracking rock solid and just a slight amount of lean in a turn makes it's effect vanish completely. Some might say I just need to improve my paddle technique!!!
Regards Les Cheeseman.