Hi Howard,

I defenitly would place a retractable skeg. The Night Heron is good manouvrable and good tracking without the skeg, but in crossing the Muritz in Germany 2 years ago with strong half wind from port, the kayak would constantly turn upwind. I only could paddle on one side and that slowed me down. My friend paddling in a grp boat with retractable skeg had no problems.
ET has a very sophisticated report on his skeg build. I plan to build one too but have to open the deck in the rear compartment. I will make a hatch which I will glue in place when the skeg is placed.

Daan