Proper Use and Care of a Skeg

It is important to understand how to properly attach and use a removable skeg on an inflatable kayak so that you get the best performance possible.

Sometimes if the kayak only has a small skeg it will be permanently attached.

However other models have a large removable skeg that provides for good tracking and speed.

There are two things that are important in order for your skeg to work properly:

  1. The skeg needs to be securely locked into the fittings before you inflate the kayak.
  2. The floor of the kayak needs to be inflated as solid as possible which helps with the strength of the skeg and the tracking.

If you have done both of these things properly the skeg is completely secure.

With any kayak that has an obstruction sticking out from the bottom such as a skeg it is important to take care not to hit anything that could bend or break it.

This would be the same for a kayak that has a rudder, for a boat that has a motor, etc.

No matter what kayak I am paddling, whether it is an inflatable or a hard shell, I always take care of the back end steering or tracking device (skeg, rudder, or directional stabilizer) as these are important to the performance of the kayak.

I am careful not to paddle in extremely shallow water so as not to do damage to them and if I need to bring my kayak up on shore I usually get out before the back end hits the bottom rocks and lift the back end up.

Although dragging the kayak to shore is NOT a problem as most inflatable kayaks are designed to be able to handle that.

How to Protect your Skeg

I was taught in kayaking lessons long ago that you always protect the steering device.

I was taught that if kayaking with a rudder it is important to lift the rudder out of the water when kayaking in rocky areas or when dragging the kayak up to shore.

Unfortunately with a skeg we do not have the option of “lifting it up” so it is up to us to avoid the obstructions.

If you are paddling with a skeg on any type of kayak it will always be important to avoid rocks and branches.

If you will mostly be kayaking in areas where it is unavoidable to hit rocks, etc. then either you should remove your skeg for that type of paddling or perhaps a different kayak might be in order.

Whitewater with a Skeg?

If your inflatable kayak is designed to be rugged enough to handle whitewater rapids then it is important to understand that you must remove your skeg before whitewater paddling.

No one who does whitewater kayaking wants a skeg because of course it would get in the way.

The main focus in whitewater kayaking is maneuverability and control, not tracking and speed and a skeg is never used.

While in whitewater the trick to keeping the kayak in the right place is in the technique of the stroke.

If your inflatable kayak has a removable skeg that means that it can be used for flatwater paddling (with the skeg) or for whitewater (without the skeg).

However if you are seriously considering only doing whitewater paddling there are certain models that are designed specifically for this.

Kayaking without the Skeg

Normally if kayaking in open water such as in lakes or in the ocean you will always want to use your skeg as it will provide the tracking needed for good performance.

Without the skeg you will not get the same tracking nor will you be able to get the good speeds.

If you will be paddling in water where rocks and downed trees are an issue then I would suggest not using the skeg if you have the option to remove it.

You will not have the same speed or good tracking without the fin attached but it will be great for river kayaking because there is nothing sticking out from the bottom of the kayak to hit debris or get stuck.

In Conclusion

The point is that an inflatable kayak that has a good size skeg can be fantastic to paddle as it has the possibility of offering great tracking and speed.

Most skegs are built to be very sturdy and to withstand a fair amount of abuse.

However nothing is indestructible so it is up to you to attach the skeg properly and care for it as best you can in order to preserve the high performance of the kayak.

One of my favourite inflatable kayaks that has a removable fin is the Sea Eagle 380X.  It’s a very versatile kayak that can be used in most types of water.


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