I am absolutely in love with the Cetus but was following the snapping of the skeg slider control was not happy with the design of that component. I had quick and very supportive contact with P&H and had I chosen to have a replacement they are well set up to have the boat returned and sorted.

In the end, my decision was based on the fact that if this happened again I would once again be skegless and crucially need to return the boat for a repair.

I did a lot of research on the Hydro skeg and came to the conclusion that it was more robust at present and potentially more field maintainable despite being a more complicated system, particularly with their new bleed kit.

It also has the option of swapping out the hydraulic system with a rope system by the user if desired – another potential ‘field maintenance’ procedure.

However, the whole episode has been a fantastic ‘learning’ experience as I have been paddling without a skeg now for several weeks now in a range of conditions and my ability to keep the boat tracking using edging, extended paddle grip and other means has improved significantly.

I am also more impressed with the tracking of the Cetus – perhaps I had become too reliant on skegs – expecting the boat to weather cock without one and whilst I would not be without a skeg on the Cetus, experience has made me a lot more confident it can handle some very adverse conditions without one.

Interested in the opinions of others – particularly anyone who has a Hydro skeg system.

SNAP!

http://seakayakphoto.blogspot.com/2009/08/p-cetus-skeg-system.html

Have you managed to make any progress with your skeg?

Regards
Douglas )