: 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?

I routinely put a keel strip on my canoes to improve tracking, and blend it in to the brass stem molding. I flatten the end of the brass molding sometimes if it needs it, in order to fit better. as an additional benefit, the keel strips limit "beach stripes" to a smaller area that is easier to repair.

Also, if I find a boat is guilty of excessive windsocking I will add a fixed sheg. But I adjust the design on the next build ...