RE: [Paddlewise] Skegs

From: wayne steffens <wsteffen_at_skypoint.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 21:22:21 -0500
At 07:25 PM 9/14/98 +0100, Len Van Halm wrote:
 
>Surfing? DO NOT use the skeg in The Surf. 

 Never ever? What if we like to?

>You will find it hard enough
>to control your kayak with out the skeg. 

I sometimes prefer to use my skeg in surf to help prevent broaching. It
makes it easier to make my kayak go straight, if thats what I want. I'm not
sure why you say it doesnt.I guess it depends on what you are trying to do.
When I want to turn around and head back out I retract it, because it
certainly hinders that effort. If I want to surf broached I wont use it,
and sometimes I surf broached even when i do use it. ;-) But it definitely
helps me avoid it. I often surf with an anti-skeggite who is a much better
paddler than I am. While he's broaching, I'm flying. Of course while I'm
swimming, he's still broaching. ;-0

But if you are running from the
>wind drop the skeg all the way down, you will not have to think about
>keeping the bow down wind, so go with the flow. If you are surfing with
>the skeg down the boat won't travel in a perfect strait line, don't try
>to keep the boat in a perfect strait line the kayak should come back on
>course when you catch the next wave.

But when I use my skeg, I can often ride one wave all the way in. Standard
surf disclaimer here, ie I'm no expert and always anxious to learn.


Wayne
 

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Received on Mon Sep 14 1998 - 19:18:06 PDT

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