i have a couple boats with and without skegs and for the ones with skegs, i have both done original installation before joining hull and deck (on a night heron) and after the whole boat was assembled (on a night hawk). as for the boats without skegs, i like them just fine and am not looking to change them. and the same for the boat with skegs.

so i think the first question is do you know you want/need a skeg. and then secondly, what is the difference in hassle factor if you wait and try to install after the hull is assembled.

if i know that i want a skeg, i agree it is generally easier to do while the boat is apart....but frankly it also may not be very difficult at all after the boat is assembled.....it depends on the particular skeg you are installing and its installation mechanics and the mechanics of the installations' proximity to access points required to perform the installation (such as a rear hatch).

so in the example of the night hawk (installed after the the hull way put together), it was not significantly harder or challenging. the rear hatch was well aft enough and large enought to easily allow for the internal work.....and the particulars of the skeg installation easily allowed everything to get done with the access i had.

that said, there are other design combinations....like the night heron....where one would have to really make hatches in places i did not want them in order to gain access to the skeg area to in an after-assembly installation.

so my advice would be to simply think it forward.....my general sense is that if you are not sure you want it....and the boat can easily handle an after-assembly installation.....you can wait it out. if you think you may want it and its going to be a real hassle or impossible to do afterwards....do it now.

howard