: Best option is to choose a design that doesn't really need a skeg .
: . . and there are plenty.

Dave is correct if you are not one to enjoy tight places like small rivers, surf, rock gardens etc. But some loss of maneuverability will be lost if a boat does not weathercock.

My experience with my adjustable skeg boats is they will weathercock in a gale with the skeg up. They will leecock somewhat with the skeg full down. At half down they track well in serious wind. I tend to paddle along the coast, where tracking is nice to have, looking for big surf where, maneuverability is a plus. So, to me, a skeg is needed if you want the best of both worlds.

If tight maneuverability is not a concern you can build any boat you like and then if weathercocking is a problem add a little keel externally at the stern. I have read that a quarter to one half inch of external keel a couple of feet long makes a big difference. You can add or subtract to taste.

~Bob