Thanks for all the responses. I am just the slightest bit miffed by the attitude that a poster may not know how to paddle. As a strong intermediate with solid rolling, bracing, and paddle stroke mechanics, I am not looking for paddling advise. Rather, I would be enthusiastic to hear about ways that people have tended to deal with the tendancy to weathercock and hence turn sideways in strong winds. I hesitate to use the term broach since it has never caused a capsize. Rather, I find it tiring to paddle full effort to match the wind's tendancy to cause weathercocking. I like the "responsiveness" as Nick puts it and am not interested in perminant skegs to make this responsive boat a railroad car. Across the wind (on a beam reach in sailing lingo) and upwind I find there is no real problem with weathercocking that requires the amount of correction that running with the wind requires. This is why I am considering some solutions and soliciting your help. I am certainly going to continue to paddle the boat as is, but I will also look for solutions to problems as they arise. Kudos to Nick for such a great design, and thanks to all you posters that are willing to give thoughtful, informed responses.

Dan

: Hi Dan,
: I paddle the Expedition Single and find it tracks very strongly. I have even
: heard comment that it tracks too strongly. I weigh about the same as you.
: I use a short paddle with a high angle stroke. My wife weighs 115# and
: rarely paddles at all. She says the Expedition tracks better than any boat
: she has paddled. I find a very slight tendenancy to weathercock in some
: conditions but tracking is always good even in wind driven beam seas.

: The Expedition is a difficult boat to strip especially at the stern. I have
: seen many builders comment how they could not get the strips to follow the
: forms at the stern and just let them relax, away from the forms. Without
: the knifedge stern of this design, tracking would probably be affected. I
: don't know if you had any problems in this area but it's a thought.

: I agree with Nick, give it some time before adding appendages. I also agree
: with Shawn. You will learn to love the quick manuverablity (with a slight
: lean) of Nicks designs. Tracking will be secondary.

: Good luck,

: Larry C.