G'Day, The second question concerns skegs. I'm considering having a skeg fitted, mainly to improve the Pittarak's performance in surf. The skeg is made by VCP (valley canoe) and is continuously adjustable. Questions: - Are most skegs continuously adjustable and is the ability to adjust them an advantage in tuning the boat to sea conditions. If so why? And in what conditions? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. All the best, PeterO http://www.paddlewise.com/whoswho/whoswho7.html#PeterOsman *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "PeterO" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au> > Questions: - Are most skegs continuously adjustable > and is the ability to adjust them an advantage in tuning the boat to sea > conditions. If so why? And in what conditions? Peter, I paddle a Gulfstream with a continuously adjustable skeg and find that it is a big help when trying to "tune out" the weathercocking from a beam wind. If you don't use enough skeg, you still weathercock and if you use too much, you'll lee cock. The skeg is also useful in following seas. However, it does impact the ability to turn. Yes, you can still turn by leaning or edging, but the turn is much sharper and easier if you pull the skeg completely up just prior to the turn. Steve Holtzman Southern CA. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
I have both styles of skegs on my two Nordkapps. I much prefer the cable slider system to the cord-pully-bunjii system. More accurate, easily adjustable and quick to repair. cu *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hello from the Maine coast! Two comments: First, I would "second" Steve's comment about his GS skeg. My experience exactly. Had a rudder for years and much prefer the skeg on my GS. Continuous adjusting has advantages without doubt. Next, I have been intrigued for some time with the Nordkapps (Bob Denton). If ever I would have a chance to paddle other boats, my two choices would be the Nordkapp and the Romany. I have this strange need to feel I made the correct decision on getting my GS 400 miles ago. I know... I shouldn't get hung up on things like that. Tom At 08:20 PM 9/8/2003 -0400, you wrote: >I have both styles of skegs on my two Nordkapps. I much prefer the cable >slider system to the cord-pully-bunjii system. More accurate, easily >adjustable and quick to repair. > >cu *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On 9 Sep 2003 at 7:33, PeterO wrote: > Questions: - Are most skegs continuously > adjustable I'm curious if there are in fact skegs that are not continuously adjustable- other than the fixed ones like on River Runners.. I've never seen one that wasn't - anyone know of a kayak with a skeg that was not fixed and not continuously adjustable? Mike *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
"Adjustable" can be a positive attribute, as in balancing the added tracking against the added drag and/or changing conditions and needs. "Adjustable" can be a pain in the ass, as in constant fidgeting and fussing because what you are manipulating above water doesn't bear referenced or consistent relevance to what's going on beneath the water. Part of the plus-minus arguments of rope-bungee vs wire-slider skegs has had to do with fixing in the field, bent & stretched cables, designs prone to jams, etc. Design changes have improved in recent years, or so goes the tale i nmost shops and brochures. I prefer the rope-bungee skeg set up on my Romany because, well, that's what I've got and that's what it came with...and I doubt that I'd make a boat selection based solely upon the skeg design. That said, it helps to 'index' your skeg mechanism so that you have some sense of what is or isn't happening beneath. Small tweaks may or may not be noticeable to different folk, different fits, differing conditions. I do find it helpful to have a clear sense of when the skeg is quarter / third/ half / full deployed. I check this from time to time in 'dry dock' to see how the set up is aging. Then again, the notorious tidal races of Iowa's inland reservoirs sooooooo require minor adjustments of my skeg..... -w *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Go to Atlantik Kayak Tours' "Expert Center" for a good discussion of skegs -- complete with animated Flash lesson. The address is: http://www.atlantickayaktours.com/Pages/ExpertCenter/Equipment/Skeg/Skeg-1.shtml > > I'm considering having a skeg fitted, mainly to improve the Pittarak's > performance in surf. The skeg is made by VCP (valley canoe) and is > continuously adjustable. Questions: - Are most skegs continuously adjustable > and is the ability to adjust them an advantage in tuning the boat to sea > conditions. If so why? And in what conditions? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
On 8 Sep 2003 at 23:37, Bob Volin wrote: > Go to Atlantik Kayak Tours' "Expert Center" for a good discussion of > skegs -- complete with animated Flash lesson. The address is: That's a nice article. However, I don't understand the bit about how with a rope controlled skeg "you can't fine tune the skeg position." I have a rope controlled skeg and I can set it to any position I like, It takes a tad longer than just nudging a blob on a cable, but I can easily enough wiggle a bit of rope past the cleat or tug in a bit as required. I'd call this nit-picking rather than a real deficiency in the design. IMHO, the only real advantage if the cable based designs is the ease of adjustment but the potential problems are greater then the simple and cheap rope design. Field repair of rope skegs are easy. One other advantage I pointed out to a new and very keen paddler* this past weekend is that I find it easier to wiggle the rope-based skegs to free the skeg box of sand and gravel after launching at a beach. I release the rope and then just grab the line and tug rapidly. This vibration/wiggling causes the sand to drop out. If you tried this with a cable, it would put some stress on the system. Mike *Keen - how many beginners say they like ocean cockpits because they get a better sense of control? This guy's a natural and I like finding paddlers like him once in a while! Excellent student! *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:35 PDT