Hello. I'm a newly converted kayak building hobbyist and have really enjoyed many of the posts on this forum. What a refreshing and fun group of people pursuing a shared passion! I am building my first Guillemot 17' strip kayak and am at the stage where I need to build and install a skeg. I've found Etienne Muller's step by step instructions very helpful but I have a few questions. I'm no engineer so forgive me if these are stupid questions. :-)

1. Is there specific guidance on size (width & length/depth) of a skeg?

I like the simplicity of Etienne's design but a bit unclear how the cabling system works from the skeg to the control box. I guess I have two specific questions:

1. I'm unclear on how the hinge arrangement works. Anyone have pictures that shows how the cable actually connects to the skeg?
2. Cabling system seems logical for raising the skeg; however, I"m unclear how the skeg would be lowered. Does the skeg drop rely on gravity? The design seems like it creates a "pushing a rope" scenario ... how does the cabling 'push' the skeg lever to cause the skeg to drop?

Any guidance or pictures would be greatly appreciated!