Canoe W/tm....bullnose Rudder + Fin Skeg = Improved Tracking?

[Neil McCauley]

Inspired by the bullnose rudder thread. In an effort to get my canoe to track decently on long distances, I have ordered the bullnose rudder and this "large fin skeg" for kayaks.

 

 

 

Question is where to put the fin skeg? I am thinking the front 1/3rd of the canoe bottom. Going to epoxy it. I'll take it out and post results this weekend. Boat is a Old Town 147 and a MK C2 55lb thrust TM.

[A-Jay]

I have the  Bull nose rudder on that same motor - I like it.

 

How are you planning to install / mount the sKeg ?

 

And are you concerned that doing so could be problematic when loading / unloading and in very shallow ?

 

A-Jay

 

 

Edit:  never mind - I just found some info on the skeg and it appears to be removable. 

 

Be very interested on how it goes  . . . 

[Dogmatic]

I did the same thing on my pontoon. I have to say, it's a vast improvement. I worry about the skeg when in shallow water though on a canoe(?). The instructions I found about mounting a skeg though(on a pontoon) was from the Sea Eagle site, and they said to mount it as far forward as possible, just below the waterline. IMHO, just try the rudder first. I was surprised how well it worked.

[Neil McCauley]

Have tried it 3 times now. One trip with skeg only, one rudder only, one with both. No big surprise, the skeg improves tracking the rudder seems to help more with turning. With both on it both are better, glad I added them. With the 2 batteries up front in the bow the canoe is like a tank cuttinf through waves/wind without bouncing or changing course, handled 15mph gusts this week. Downsides are the rudder adds a bit of drag and with the skeg up front it can be a huge pain in the a$$ to launch but is doable if the bottom is mud or you can just use a dock. It's detachable but not really possible to attach once it's in the water.

[WPCfishing]

I just bought a rudder for my canoe trolling motor.. I hope to get better steering, straighter tracking and less movement in the wind when casting. I would like to avoid anchoring all the time.