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From: Michael R Noyes <mnoyes_at_gsinet.net> subject: [Paddlewise] The Great Skeg Vs. Rudder Debate. Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 13:54:02 -0400 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:12 PDT

One of the kayaks that I have been looking at lately comes with a skeg
standard, with an optional rudder.  Until now I have been pretty much
neutral about skegs, feeling that rudders were more versatile.  My
biggest objection to skegs (aimed primarily at my low volume Caribou)
was the amount of space that they take up in the rear compartment.  But
lately I have been re thinking the whole thing.  I still don't want one
in my Caribou, but perhaps in a kayak with more volume.....
    My thinking is going along these lines, please feel free to make any
additions, deletions, or corrections you see fit.  The rudder and skeg
both perform the same function, to balance the kayaks lateral drift in a
cross wind.  Or, to put it another way, to correct for weathercocking.
They go about this bu adding lateral resistance at the back of the
boat.  The skeg is balanced by providing more or less surface area as
needed, the rudder is balanced by changing its "angle of attack" in the
water.
    So I need to know the good and bad points of each system.  This is
my list so far;

Good:

Rudder
1) You can turn the boat without leaning, important with pets on deck.
2) "Intuitive" control, to go more left push more on left pedal.
3) Less prone to damage when striking objects than a skeg. (provided you
are moving forward, with lateral and rear impacts they are about the
same)
4) All parts are more accessible, making repairs easier if something
breaks.
5) Much better than a skeg for sailing.
6) In an emergency it can be used as a really big butter knife.

Skeg
1) Fewer moving parts to wear out.
2) Greatly increases lateral resistance with minimal increase in forward
resistance.
3) Foot braces are locked in position, no movement during bracing, etc.
4) Once it is set it stays there without further input from you, you
aren't constantly using your legs to keep the correct angle.
5) Clean deck, no hard, sharp edged gear.
6) I can retain my membership in the Evangelical Church of Rudderless
Paddlers (motto: Guidance is in your hands, not under your feet!")

Bad points.

Rudder:
1) Cables are a weak link and can break, leaving you rudderless.
Usually happens when you need it most.
2) Some people develop a dependency on the rudder for steering.  (Not
that I would ever do that! :-))
3) Soft feeling foot braces, not locked in place
4) When in use, especially at high rudder angles, your feet are in
different positions - affecting bracing and paddle strokes.
5) Greatly increases forward resistance, especially at high rudder
angles.
6) Requires constant muscle tension when in use. (not that your muscles
won't be tense at that time!)
7) Rudder on deck interferes with some rescue techniques.
8) I get kicked out of the Evangelical Church of Rudderless Paddlers.

Skeg
1) Adjusting rod can kink or break, locking the skeg in one position.
2) makes turning the boat without an aggressive lean much more
difficult.
3) More prone to damage than a rudder from forward impacts like running
up on a beach with the skeg still out.
4) Takes up room in the rear compartment, leaving less room for gear.
5) Skeg box and adjusting rod are in the rear compartment, making more
places for potential leaks.
6) You have to remember to pack a butter knife.

To me, after all this, the skeg seems to make more sense.  What do yo
think?

Mike

--
    Paddling along through fog so thick that only one's thoughts are
visible, your reverie is abruptly shattered by the ancient cry of a
great
blue heron as she lifts uncertainly from the brilliant blue of a
mussel-shell beach witnessed only by the brooding, wet spruce....your
passage home seems as much back through time as it does through space.
Mark H Hunt

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