Datakoll, we, again, reach a point where I cannot figure out what you're saying. What is your argument? also, the discussion isn't about other craft. It's about kayaks.

I find myself in the unusual position of agreeing with Magooch. It's dependent on the design of the boat and the paddlers preferences. For myself, I prefer a skeg and rarely deploy it. i use it most often with quartering winds on crossings so I can perform fewer correction strokes.

I have little to no love for rudders, but that is the way I roll. I teach may students whose boats have rudders. For strokes and boat handling a require that they keep it up and I emphasize that the rudder is an aid to tracking not steering.

'nuff said.