Sea Kayaking Finland
Kari-Tek Skeg Systems
Kari-Tek
is the company making skeg systems that Sea Kayaking U.K. uses in their
kayaks since 2006/7. Their innovation is a modular skeg system with a
standard skeg box, which will house any of the following:
- Wire Skeg
- Rope Skeg
- Hydraulic Skeg
- Hydraulic Skeg Rudder System
We have now good experience of several dozen SKUK kayaks with Kari-Tek skegboxes, mostly with the Wire Skeg.
Hydraulic Skeg:
The
next level is that we are installing two hydraulic Skegs and two
hydraulic Skeg Rudder Systems into kayaks to gain experience.
The
hydraulic skeg has already a reputation of being totally maintenance
free and a very robust system compared to either a wire skeg or a rope
skeg. It does combine the benefits of both of the older skeg types,
and then some:
- It will not hurt if the kayak is surfed on shore with skeg down (like a rope skeg)
- It has very accurate adjustment (better than a wire skeg)
- It can exert significant force on the skeg also downwards (more than a wire skeg)
Skeg Rudder System:
Skeg Rudder System (SRS) is a hydraulic skeg, that can also be turned by foot pedals like a rudder once it is fully deployed.
We
are of the opinion that most solo sea kayaks being used for kayak
touring do not need a rudder, and are normally better off without one.
A rudder is very dangerous in rescue situations in waves, and may
actually hurt the rescuer badly. Flatwater racing is another story –
undoubtedly a rudder will increase performance in flat water, since the
paddler does not need to waste any energy in corrective strokes.
Tandem
kayaks are best equipped with a rudder. We have experience of paddling
our rudderless rope-Skeg-equpped SKUK Triton Tandem from Hanko to
Stockholm in 2004. A long tandem like Triton can be handled by two
expert paddlers without a rudder (but it still needs a skeg), but it is
not usable with most paddlers who have less experience in kayak
strokes. It is also very tricky to adjust anything else than a hydraulic skeg just right in a
side wind. Therefore the idea of a skeg that can be used as a rudder
struck us instantly as a very good device for a (Triton) tandem.
We
have now installed one SRS into a new Triton, which is in use of Espoon
Eskimot –paddling club. We will follow closely their experiences with
it. We have also to installed an SRS retro kit into our own older
Triton and start using it more with clients.
SRS Actuators in a Triton Cockpit
Installation
If
you have a 2006 or later year model Explorer or Romany with a plastic
(not fiberglass) skeg box, Installing a Hydraulic Skeg is very
straightforward. Installing an SRS is about twice the work, but can be
completed in a day. You can install them yourself if you have basic
tools and some patience. We can also install them for you.
Installing
Hydro-Skeg or SRS in a Kayak with an integral fiberglass skegbox is a
little more work, since the old skegbox has to be first removed and a
new Kari-Tek box lamainated in. We are just gaining experience of this
procedure with our own pre-Kari-Tek Triton tandem. The retrofit
installation definitely requires some prior practice in fiberglassing
and a good set of tools, but is doable.
Future
A
hydraulic skeg or SRS is quite a lot more expensive than a 'standard'
wire skeg, adding about 15-20 % to a kayak's price. However, the
benefits are also very clear. These will be the ideal steering systems
for club and outfitter fleets, as well as for paddlers doing long
unsupported trips, where robustness of the equipment is a key.
www.kari-tek.co.uk
price list