>I would appreciate any thoughts from those who have paddled Anas Acutas. You >can reply directly to me at tfj_at_interaccess.com or generally to the list. > >1. How important is a skeg, if one is not paddling in currents, tides, or >out >of sight of land? My concerns: sand, etc., on beach launches and landings, >could >eventually foul the mechanism; no matter how good the fittings, there may be >some >leakage in the long run; and I just don't like the idea of assisted steering. >On >the other hand, is tracking a little iffy without a skeg? > >2. My local dealer said the Anas normally is shipped without footpegs. Did >you >add footpegs (same concern about compromise of hull integity . . .), or is it >just >necessary to adapt one's habits slightly to do without them? > >Tom Joyce > I'm not an Anas Acuta owner, but I've test-paddled one. ;-) Skegs have nothing to do with currents. They are used to counter the tendency of most sea kayaks to turn into the wind, otherwise known as "weather helm." Basically, dropping the skeg keeps the stern from being blown downwind. (You could think of it as a kind of trim tab.) If you ever paddle a boat with weather helm (some have a fairly neutral helm) several miles in a strong quartering or beam wind, you will appreciate how much extra work and fatique a skeg can save you. Whether the Anas Acuta really needs a skeg is a question an Anas Acuta owner will have to answer. It is true that skegs can be jammed by sand and small pebbles, but usually this can be cleared by reaching under the hull and manually moving the skeg up and down a few times. I make it a practice to test the skeg before putting in, if I can enter the boat while it is floating, or right after I put in. In the latter case, I ask a fellow paddler to unjam the skeg for me, if it is jammed. As for leakage, I haven't experienced any in my Romany's skeg after five seasons. Most, if not all, imported kayaks are shipped without footpegs installed. The Anas acuta is not unique in this regard. The footpegs are installed by the retailer as part of the package. Some people prefer to eliminate the footpegs, and install stiff foam against the forward bulkhead for bracing, but that's a matter of personal preference. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Nov 15 2000 - 09:43:43 PST
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