Great project/Great 'yak!!!

=When it's windy and I'm going downwind it does need a rudder. I'm almost =constantly fighting to make it go the direction I want. I would think that it =would want to point itself downwind since the front sticks up more in the wind =than the back. I'm sure some of you can explain why it's opposite of what I =would think. It goes fine when heading into the wind.

I had the wonderful opportunity to try out my neighbors Guillemots the other night on windy Sparks Lake here in Central Oregon. Waves about 1'. I experinced similar behavior going with the wind. The kayak would be picked up in the stern by a wave and start the slightest of a surfing motion, followed promtly by a lowering of the bow and turning to one side. In power boating this is known as broaching. I am beginner kayaker and cannot offer a solution. The book "The Essential Sea Kayaker" covers this subject. Perhaps our technique pro Shawn Baker can shed some light on the subject.