: DID send skeg install notes on very first one. Stll have the
: "sent" email to you.
: ASSumed you figured things out on the last one.

Well, I guess I'm just a dumb hick from the back woods of Northern New England. When you said you include instructions I figured a hard copy. You include NO hardcopies of any instructions. I do have a host of e-mails from the 2008 build but no "instructions". Just broken up words of wisdom. Please send me that sent message with the COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS. I'd love to see it... No. Don't.

: The cable WOULD NOT kink from as per your supplied specs ... I
: would never something out out that would not work 100 %.
: I built a box that was LESS than your supplied spec to simulate the
: part in situ before sending it out to make sure of this.

: Something must have been lost in translation of your spec to me vs.
: your actual install .....

: The notch was more than enough for lifelong function of the skeg
: and had extra room ... By make it bigger you have now created a
: scenario where the inner portions of the fork legs are now
: rubbing on the blade every paddle stroke. If it aint broke,
: don't fix it Dan.

: Question ... As per above, why would you pull the tube if you
: determined the CABLE to have a problem ? If you had a problem
: you should have called me. The instructons ( that I now realize
: I should have sent you for a second time ) also clearly state to
: NOT pull the tube off the nipple.

Kink was the wrong word. When the blade was retracted fully the cable had hard double bend from the brass nipple to the fork. Sorry. IT DID. Opening up your notch toward the top of the blade (approximately an 1/8" by the way) eliminated the hard double bend. The skeg has the SAME side-to-side play as delivered at all angles. Remember: I have a degree in engineering and design for a living. I KNOW how stuff works. OK? If my customer has any issues with the skeg he'll see ME not YOU.

I had to remove tube because the blade would not retract from the housing on arrival. Period. I straightened out the tube/cable... nothing. No movement. Finally I pulled the tube off the nipple and was able to push the blade down. I figured it out. They're not THAT complicated. I didn't want to bother you. I know how busy you are.

: Something else weird to me, in this:
: http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi/page/1/md/read/id/199487/sbj/material-calling-dan-caouette-onno-skeg/
: above you state that you did not remove the blade yet now you
: are now stating you DID in fact remove it. I know its not the
: other one as you are talking about the notch + you would not be
: able to even work on the notch without removing the blade.

Why not just call me a liar. I misspoke. Yes I did remove it but did not take a picture.

: The direction of the clamp IS important and DOES matter to this
: person ... If its backwards or twisted, not only can one never
: get to it with along screwdriver, the extra 'tail' from the
: excess hose clamp is no longer 'hiding' behind the backside of
: the housing and mounting nipple and is now possibly a sharp edge
: in there that might puncture float bags or snag soft cargo.

If you're never supposed to pull the tube off the brass nipple, then you never have to "get to it." EVER. I did check the tail and as installed it will not catch or harm anything. I will further instruct my customer to wrap the clamp with tape (if he can reach it).

: Also as per the instructions and our recent phone conversation ...
: I state(d) to use a bead of epoxy to tack the box in place and
: seal the lower perimeter .."Hot glue" Whether sealed
: or not, has no place on these skegs.

This polyurethane hot glue has the same strength as 5-min epoxy. It's not your average big-box store crap. I used a small bead of it to temporarily hold the housing in place and help prevent any epoxy from leaking into the skeg box and fouling the blade. The fillet of epoxy I installed was followed by two layers of glass. My system is quicker, stronger and better. Try it. You might be surprised.

I don't know why you're so hostile. I have been praising your work from the start and tried to give you some business. Yes I didn't follow your "directions" to the T. This was NOT a typical installation. Sometimes you have to make adjustments in the field. That's what I do for a living. I'm a construction engineer. So... My engineering knowledge and training reinforces all my decisions.

Pat instead of sending me a personal message with your complains, you come on to this forum once and drag my name through the mud. Thanks "buddy." Seriously. You've LOST both a customer and a friend. You do excellent work and I will tell people that but I will never install any more of your products.

Ask any of my customers. I stand behind MY work. That skeg that I installed in the Night Heron works smoothly and will last him a lifetime.

I'm done with this thread. Don't bother e-mailing me.