Mike asked about skegs versus rudders: A negative point on skegs is that sand and pebbles can wedge between the skeg and the housing, locking the skeg in place. I have two boats with skegs - a Skerry XL and a Valley Acquila. Both pretty high volume boats and I have not found the space taken by the skeg housing to be troublesome (and I carry a lot of gear for day trips). I also have not noticed or experienced any leakage problems. My next boat (hope the wife isn't listening) will not have a skeg. I may have used the skeg 2 or 3 times last year - and one of those times just for the hell of it to see what if any difference it made. I think with good, solid technique the need for a rudder or skeg should be greatly reduced or eliminated. So I would ask, does the boat you are interested in come without a skeg or rudder? By the way, the Skerry and the Aquila were purchased one year apart, the Skerry being the younger. They employ two difference skeg mechanism. The Aquila is more gravity activitated while the Skerry uses a metal cable push type mechansim. I prefer the Aquila mechanism, since the cable can krinkle more easily. If any one is interested in purchasing the Aquila, it's in good shape and for sale. best wishes, sid *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Apr 10 2000 - 11:58:52 PDT
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