On 28-Jun-2004, "Mike Hackett" wrote:

Seems like it would be better to fully-deploy the skeg, if you are gong to
use it at all, and use paddling technique to keep you going straight.

If there is a wind from any direction other than straight ahead or straight
astern, your kayak is going to sideslip, regardless of skeg, rudder, keel
shape etc. What you want to do is minimize the sideslip. The problem with
fully deploying a skeg to do this is that it can lead to leecocking. So
the only logical thing to do is deploy the skeg only enough to provide a
reasonable amount of control and paddle away.

If you want to make a kayak more "efficient", you'll have to design it with a
means to minimize sideslip without allowing it to either weather- or leecock.
This means a keel or vertical fin that is closer to the center of gravity.
However, this may increase drag which in turn reduces the "efficiency".

Just set the skeg and enjoy the paddling. You'll be able to get more out of
improving your forward stroke than futzing with the skeg setting.

Mike