DIY: Retractable Skeg

As a photographer, I understand the value of the right tool for the job. That does translate well in kayaking. I have a 14.5’ Sea Touring Kayak as well as 9.5’ Fishing Kayak, and they both have their purposes. The fishing kayak has awesome stability, is not too slow, but doesn’t track all that well and the tracking is one of the most important features for shooting photography from a kayak.

For example: If I am paddling then stop, grab my camera and to take a shot ... by the time I'm ready we have spun nearly 180 degrees and I have likely missed my target. Now, I know I could get a different kayak, but being the crafty fiddler that I am, I thought I would try my had at a DYI Retractable Skeg.

Mounting Bracket

Position: Travel and/or Storage

Position: Retracted

Position: Deployed

Top View

Simple Deck Line Guide.

Side View

Rope Routing

Bungee Routing

Fixed Position

Cotter Pin

DYI: Skeg Parts List

$50.00

9.8

Quality

10.0/10

Installation

10.0/10

Functionality

10.0/10

Value

10.0/10

Durability

10.0/10

Ease of Use

9.0/10

What I liked

Solid Construction
Not to big
Easy to use
Easy to build
Tracks True
Mage of strong composition & steel

What I did not like

Need a few power tools

View on Amazon

Chris Sgaraglino

Over the past 37 years of my adult life, I have gained a very diverse portfolio of adventures from which I have been blessed to be a participant. This wealth of experience and knowledge has defined my character, my morals and values, and my healthy respect for people and the great outdoors. It is a true definition of an Outdoorsman!

20 Comments

Lawrence Harper on February 14, 2019 at 6:46 pm

where did you obtain the “canoe paddle bracket” for mounting the skeg?
i can modify to suit, as you did.
Reply
- Chris Sgaraglino on February 18, 2019 at 12:03 pm
  
  Lawrence, for some reason Amazon removed a few things from the list. I have them back in including the brackets. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/2TbGpTg
  Reply
  - Nick Campanelli on July 7, 2021 at 4:22 pm
    
    Chris, thanks for pulling this page together. Its very helpful. It appears the amazon link you provided is no longer good. Can you repost where you purchased the mounting bracket? -Nick
    Reply
Thomas Detert on May 5, 2019 at 9:32 am

Hi Chris. I am a landscape and nature photographer who uses an Old Town Loon 126 kayak to reach a lot of photogenic spots. Same problem you had — poor tracking. I really like your design here but the Amazon parts list only shows 1 item. I would really like to build something similar for my kayak. Any chance of updating the parts list.. or even just providing a list of parts that I could source myself?

Alternatively, if you wanted to build one I’d consider purchasing off of you.
Reply
- Chris Sgaraglino on May 5, 2019 at 9:48 am
  
  Thomas, where are you located? I am seeing all 3 items in the Amazon List.
  I am going to send you an email directly with each part.
  Reply
  - Thomas Detert on May 5, 2019 at 10:59 am
    
    I live in Canada but I can order off of US Amazon and ship to Michigan.
    Reply
Eric Jackson on June 9, 2019 at 11:53 am

Chris–I don’t see anything on Amazon?
Reply
Chris Sgaraglino on June 10, 2019 at 5:25 pm

Amazon had something not right. I deleted the list and recreated it. Please give is a try again.
Reply
Wesley on June 13, 2019 at 6:57 am

What type of screws did you use, and would rivets work you think?
Reply
- Chris Sgaraglino on June 13, 2019 at 10:19 am
  
  I used Stainless Steel Pan-Head Sheet Metal Screws like these:
  https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-10-x-1-1-2-in-Stainless-Steel-Pan-Head-Phillips-Drive-Sheet-Metal-Screw-20-Piece-800232/204275051
  Reply
Tim Tharp on October 9, 2019 at 11:29 am

Hey Chris. I like your design (especially the mount bracket) and have implemented it on my kayak, but I am having trouble seeing the bungee routing to keep the skeg down. Can you give me any more detail as to the wrap/configuration? (like where are the ends of the bungee secured?) Thanks.
Reply
- Chuck Sakers on November 7, 2019 at 8:38 pm
  
  Amazon wiped out your list again. Please post it in the comments.
  Reply
  - Chris Sgaraglino on November 8, 2019 at 1:52 pm
    
    I just updated it!
    Reply
Keith on May 17, 2020 at 11:08 pm

Did anyone ever figure out the bungee routing and where both ends are tied off? Thanks
Reply
ILGM Support on May 18, 2020 at 8:45 am

First as a small knot to the end of your bungee, then separate the main rudder from the mount. There is a cutout/hole on the main wheel that you lay the knotted side of the bungee into. When it is all put back together, the knot holds the bungee in place.
Reply
- Keith on May 18, 2020 at 10:14 am
  
  Got it. And I see the other end is tied off through a hole on the side of the rudder mount. Thank you.
  Reply
- kurt betz on September 26, 2020 at 6:16 am
  
  I am still not seeing how the bungee goes and also how it flips all the way to the deck for storage. Could you give some more details or maybe another video? I’m making one for my kayak and just cant figure out the bungee routing.
  Reply
Paul on July 13, 2021 at 7:44 am

Amazon did your list in again. Specifically looking for the skeg itself. Can you post a link in the comments and or the whole list please
Reply
- Chris Sgaraglino on July 13, 2021 at 10:09 am
  
  I have created a different kind of list and added a couple of each item in there – hopefully, this will help! https://amzn.to/2TbGpTg
  Reply
Rene on May 15, 2022 at 10:29 am

I can’t see the walkthrough video. It just comes up as a thin, black bar when trying to watch on my iPad. Is there a direct link to the video?
Reply