[Paddlewise] Paul Caffyn and the Skeg vs. Rudder Holy War

How recent was his article?  My understanding is that he
first explored the skeg vs. rudder option during is
circumnavigation of Australia.  The skeg was the so called
integral-skeg on his Nordkapp HM which was just a big fin
shaped keel built into the hull design for the rear 1/3 of
the boat, it was not one of those little strap-on skegs.
The HM hull stays in the water pretty well in rough
conditions but unlike most modern skeg boats it is not
adjustable.  Anyone who has paddled  the old Nordkapp HM
knows that although it tracks well and does not weather
cock, it can be a really SOB to turn into the wind in gale
conditions.  The fin is so extreme that the boat turns
downwind, not up in a strong cross wind which can be just as
annoying as a boat that weather cocks..

Perhaps Paul would be less inclined to paddle with a rudder
if he had tryed the adjustable skegs, perhaps not.  Just
because one expert paddler prefers one way of paddling does
not make it the right way.  There are plenty of expert
paddlers that paddle well with skegs and there are plenty of
experts who paddle with rudders.  I personally don't feel
the need for some experts endorsement of my preference in
kayak style.

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