: Someone . . . has suggested I would be wise to put a skeg in my A. Hawk build.
: So, how does one determine what size skeg to place in a kit boat
: which says nary a word about a fin hanging down from the hull.

Depends why it's needed. Some folk report that it tracks fine but weathercocks, probably due to the deep forefoot. A skeg may make it track like a locomotive: if agility in narrow waters is a issue you can make the skeg retractable or you can get the same effect with a little more area above the waterline at the bow (cheaper and less agonizing).

: What over the counter medication dulls the pain of cutting a hole
: in a perfectly good hull?

We're supposed to be able to fix anything with enough epoxy - applied externally of course.

: . . . Only have the first 2/3 of a roll nailed . . .

As a a canoer I can only theorize about that . . .