Now there's a post I'll agree with!

I've been cautious with the edging so far... dipping as far as the gunwales, but no further. I know she's stable to that point. Once I've got my bow float bag(s), a spray skirt or tuiliq, and some education on rolling beaten into my thick skull, I'll be much more comfortable edging than I do now.

Even edging on the gunwale and shifting my grip on the paddle to one end (extending the other), let's me bring the bow around fairly quickly, by my standards.

I will state that the only thing I've got to compare it to is my buddy's 9 or 10 foot rec kayak. He can twist that plastic boat around in about two strokes. He's ribbed me for it a little, which is fine. His straight line paddle goes like this: STROKE, STROKE, STROKE, STROKE. Mine's more like: stroke, stroke, pause... stroke, stroke, pause... keeping pace with him is pretty relaxing *grin*.

By the way, I've been meaning to ask something of you. On your site, in the wood cross section page C ( http://yostwerks.com/SBSectionsC.html ) , I noticed that you had the keelson extruding past the keel offset by 1/4". It wasn't clear if that should be done on each section, or just certain sections.

I did it on each section. I'm no nautical engineer, but I reckon that the protruding keelson may act as a long thin skeg, making any tendencies to track straight more pronounced. Since I'm just a newb, I have no clue whether that's correct or not, or whether it has adversely affected my ability to turn above and beyond my newb skills at edging. *grin*

Don't suppose you'd be willing to shed some light on subject? My apologies for hijacking the thread, too.

Oh, and thanks again for the design, the website, and all the advice you've poured out on the forums. I'm one of the many that owe you one.

: LOL ! Work on your edging !