: I've been thinking of adding a skeg to my Great Auk. I don't really
: care to cut one into the hull, so why cant a guy just make
: something like a fixed rudder with just up/down control. No
: control cables or rudder pedals. Just a rope along the deck. I'm
: thinking something could be molded to snugly fit onto the stern
: and maybe just bungee'd back to something on deck to hold it in
: place. In this way it could be taken off if desired. It could be
: lowered when needed, raised when not. Nothing to slow you down
: with it up. Anybody see a problem with idea?

Hi Mike (lots of mike's in this thread ),

The only problems with a stern mounted skeg is in the rough conditions where you might actually need the skeg it is more easily lifted out of the water by wave action so the skeg has to be about the size of a rudder. Means that some rescues (rodeo) are difficult at best and the long blade can cause more drag than one with an end plate effect from coming out of the hull.

Bill H.