: Nowadays I'm exclusively a surfski paddler and have built a couple
: of under stern rudders so am finding this thread very
: interesting. I must admit that I don't really understand the
: benefits of a skeg over a rudder but it is a cool design
: challenge.
: My current project is a surfski based on a modified CLC Pax 20
: hull. The S&G cousin of the Mystery. I found that without the
: rudder it tracked like a train and was difficult to turn so not
: sure why a skeg?

: Thought I might chime in with an alternative solution. integrated
: rudder.

: Mirage sea kayaks are very popular here in Oz and are often used
: for racing. I have an unfinished OneOcean Cirrus that is getting
: a mirage like rudder. i have built gas pedal type rudder
: controls which wll have shock cord attached. Plan is that when
: the rudder is not being actuated the rudder will stay put sort
: of like a skeg.

: Scroll down link for images of standard and flush versions
: http://mirageseakayaks.com.au/other-accessories/

Hi Craig,
If your clc tracks like a train and no turning is required, no rear skeg is necessary. And if you wish to promote turning, put a skeg at the front as this may be one of the few boats that will benefit from that approach.

And swivelling rear approach seems to have been used by many kayaks: dagger atlantis, (I think I recall a) guillemot, mirage, epic, etc., but it seems to me that being so lightly immersed and right at the end, that unless they go deep the effect would be small and intermittent in waves.
And the problem with a deep fixed one is potential damage, so balancing the two approaches, I wonder if one might as well have a typical surfski rudder.

However, there is one on the clc site: