ET wrote...
"but many of us are never going to be the most proficient of paddlers, and just want to get out and do the best we can, when we can, with the least amount of embarrassment in a crowd, and the maximum enjoyment each and every time we manage to get on the water, which for some is not that often. Bob, if you are one of the paddlers described above, install a skeg."

Et,
I think you described what kind of paddler I am. I would love to think that I am an advanced paddler with a bombproof roll and can handle extreme conditions but the truth is that I'm really a sunny day, recreational paddler who has intermediate skills at best. I just happen to have a couple of really nice wood boats and plan to build a few more. I may be a builder who loves to paddle wanting to be a paddler who loves to build. Well, only 7 more years to retirement and maybe I will get to paddle more.

One thing, In my fleet, I have a Dagger Alchemy 14 (rotomolded) that has a drop down skeg. I have not paddled this boat very much yet as it was purchased late last summer for use on local rivers with rocky bottoms and shoals. But, I have used the skeg a few times and it helped a bit with tracking. I could quite easily keep it on course without the skeg but the skeg made it easier. The skeg is a fairly sloppy fit and it bangs around in the housing and adds noticable drag. But, if I was on open water with the wind and waves making it hard to stay on course, I would sacrifice the drag for the tracking.

So, I'm back to thinking I will build a drop down skeg for the Firestar and will plagarize ET's design as closely as possible to build a unit that fits and works well.

Thanks all for the input....

Bob Beaullieu