: thanks for the inputs gents, good ideas.

actually Jeff Im pondering the skeg install on your long shot or Big Firefly (havnt decided yet) im leaning to the big firefly as my grab and go easy to jump into boat. (size 12 feet)

My home waters per say is a very very Big windy lake (at camp) home is a very large river wind and much current. I installed a Kajak sport skeg kit on my merganser and Im glad I did it makes a big difference when the wind gets going.

and jeff yes a wide keel strip is a better plan than My plywood idea I was thinking of a small tapered wear plate over the cut out.

"John"