: Keel: I recently finished a 17' kayak and have found it to be much
: less stable on the water than I had planned. Does anyone have
: experience or recommendations on applying a keel to help
: stablize the kayak?
: Thanks

Forget the keel.

Ballast.

Get a couple dry bags. Fill with 25 pounds of weight each.

Put them on the hull BOTTOM inside your fore and aft hatches, against the bulkheads.

MAKE SURE you secure them there so they can't move, by velcroing them to the hull bottom,
or by stuffing a bulky tarp or wad of bubble wrap on top.

You will feel very stable. Gradually reduce the weight over time as your skill and experience increases.

All the best,
Rob