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How to Build a Kayak Skeg

A skeg is a kayaking accessory -- essentially a triangular fin -- that helps the paddler keep the kayak moving in a straight line. Unlike a rudder, it is not a directional device. When it is fully deployed, the skeg helps the paddler to turn downwind. Half-deployed, the skeg helps you turn crosswind. Wooden skegs have a natural look and feel, and many kayaking outdoorsmen go for these qualities. However, you may find commercial wooden skegs are quite expensive. Done systematically, however, a skeg's design and construction can be reasonably easy to do and the results are very rewarding -- resulting in a finished, wooden accessory that is both useful and inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

  • Bandsaw
  • Drill
  • 1/4-inch drill Bit
  • 1/4-inch bolts
  • 1 1/2-inch S.S. Bolts
  • S.S. acorn
  • S.S. fender washers
  • Rubber washers
  • 1 sheet Mahogany plywood
  • Epoxy
  • Masking tape
  • Cable
  • Cable tubing
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Instructions

  1. Building the Skeg

    • 1
      Cut your skeg design out of mahogany plywood to give a natural look to the skeg.

      Draw a plan for the skeg, for both sides of the box and the blade. Trace this plan onto a sheet of 1/4-inch mahogany plywood. Cut out the sides of the box and the blade with a bandsaw. With the bandsaw, cut a slot in the top of the skeg blade and epoxy the cable into this slot. Line up the box sides and blade and, using a drill, drill a 1/4-inch hole through the top corner of the skeg, to be used for the connecting bolts.

    • 2
      Apply the bolts and washers to secure the skeg's elements together.

      Tape the two sides of the box together, and apply fiberglass to the outside of the box. After it dries, select the the skeg blade and put 2 S.S. fender washers on each side of the blade and 2 rubber washers on each side. Line up the skeg blade and sides and, through the 1/4-inch drilled hole in the box and the blade, use a 1/4--by-1 1/2-inch S.S. bolt. Use an S.S. acorn to hold the package all together.

    • 3
      When installed on the kayak, the cable is used to deploy the skeg blade.

      Drill a 1/4-inch hole in the top of the box for the cable and cable tubing. Feed the cable attached to the blade up through the top of the box. Apply epoxy in place. The skeg is ready to be installed.

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