I’ve read all the skeg/no skeg posts, and the consensus for a PP stripper is Team Skeg. I’m just starting my build, and this decision is very useful/user specific.
I’m an experienced (low angle) paddler, used to steering with my hips and paddle;
The boat will only be used on a small lake - flat water, no high winds, only an hour at a time;
Tracking is only critical when I’m cruising a 3.5 mph or faster;
I want to emphasize a light build.
If it’s not squirrelly at speed on flat water with minimal (<8 mph) wind without a skeg, that’s my preference. However, if it gets harder to control the faster I go, I’ll bite the bullet and skeg up. Thoughts?
Thanks!
Having asked this question a couple of years back I did install a skeg and I can say that it is a really useful tool in cross winds. I am not a very experienced paddler, but I regulalrly paddle 8-10 miles with a group in Poole harbour, UK, which is like a big lake and with anything more than light winds if I want to be sociable and keep with the group the skeg can make it a more relaxing paddle and less tiring to stay on track, otherwise I spend more time and effort thinking about edging and my strokes to keep things straight.
The extra weight and work is well worth it in my experience. At the end of the day, you don’t have to use it but its there if you do need it.
Pete
Hi A,
i paddle a petrel play and would definitely recommend having the skeg. the boat is responsive to leaned turns but a petrel play is also designed for easy maneuverability (lots of rocker) so it can be a bit challenging to keep her going straight in certain conditions without a little bit of skeg.
a skeg does not have to add a lot of weight. my skeg installations are all well under a pound….and i have mastered light builds….so my petrel play is about 27 lbs fully rigged. attention to epoxy details and your layup is really where a light boat is made…..not the skeg.
