Tracking is a relative thing. It means something different to different paddlers. One of the joys and curses of the Night Heron is its ability to turn. You left out some information, though- how did you modify it?

I went from a kayak that doesn't really turn at all to a Night Heron, so here's what I can tell you.

The NH is extremely responsive to leaned turns. If you sit with your weight a bit to one side or another it will turn. Most of us don't sit straight- like in a car how only one foot works the accelerator. If your seat is a bit off center the same thing will happen. If you are sensitized to the kayak's movements it will get worse. Once it starts to turn in one direction, it takes a hearty sweep to correct.

If your paddle stroke is not of even strength on either side, the kayak will turn correspondingly.

Don't cut anything yet. You've barely paddled it.

First of all- practice steering with your butt- subtly shifting one leg forward by squeezing your butt cheek. You kayak will turn in the opposite direction. Straighten out, and do it in the other direction. That's how sensitive it is on flat water. Just like having a rudder, but butt control rather than foot control.

Second- work to even out your paddle stroke from side to side. Here's how. Stop looking at your bow. Don't look at your bow any more. Pick a point and paddle to that point. If I look at my bow, I get fixated on every little wiggle, and I paddle all over the place. It's hard to paddle straight when you're looking a t your bow.

Third- this was mainly an issue for me on flat water when I was getting used to the kayak. It disappeared as soon as there was even a bit of chop. I think this is because maybe the kayak tracks a bit better in a bit of chop, or because I stopped fixating on my bow because I had other things to do.

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