I'm in the market to purchase a new sea kayak. While doing my research, i came across two types to stearing systems, a skeg and a rudder. I've used rudders before, but never a skeg. I guess my question is, what is the purpose of a skeg, are they really nessesary if you already have a rudder? I also read some place, that a skeg has attendancy to malfunction, allowing water to enter your boat is this true?
I guess my next question would be, if you were going to buy a sea kayak and wanted to load your boat up and go camping with it. What type of boat would you buy and which company or companys would you go with?
I've been looking at boats from eddyline and own two kayaks made by Necky. I know that there are tons of companys out there that make kayaks. Im just not really sure where to look, other than at your local kayak stores. I guess i would like to start taking to people and see which companys are good and which ones are not. Seeing is that i have NO experience in this, I was hoping that you, the Kayakers community could help me out.

thanks!