[Paddlewise] skegless & rudderless & solo

I started out on flat water (ponds & streams in VT) in a flat bottomed 
rudderless, skegless rotomolded toy.   A devil to paddle in a straight 
line as you can imagine.  Perhaps it was the best training.

I've been paddling solo in a Feathercraft Kahuna for several years.  
And though my husband thinks I'm completely mad to do this, I always 
start the season going out without my rudder.  I only put it on when 
I'm going for a long day out and I think I might want to be lazy.

My next boat will have neither installed, though I've ordered a strap 
on skeg just to have the option.

I wouldn't want a boat that was dependent on a fallible bit of kit.

I have far more confidence in my technique when I'm out alone than in 
any hardware.  And if the conditions get to the limits of my technique 
skeg, rudder or none I'll be heading to shore.

happy paddling,
je


Oh, and yes, I do yoga but the roll isn't bomb proof....    yet  ;-)


The world revolves around engineers...only because they choose to pick 
their own coordinate origin.
-------------------------------------
janellen_at_harriman4.net
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