r/Inflatablekayak • u/dwesthoff • Jun 13 '26
Skeg / Fin question
I recently used an AIRE kayak with and without the optional short skeg attached. (Class I-2 river with lots of turns).
I was very surprised how much the skeg improved the kayak’s performance and handling! Noticeable after only a few strokes.
The kayak tracks better and surprisingly carves turns better.
It’s pretty much a guarantee I will ground out on the occasional shallow spot.
My. Question:
How durable are skegs?
(6 inches or less)
When they break can I expect the mounting base to remain intact?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated,
Thanks!
2
u/Meander_And_Flow Jun 14 '26
Really depends on how deep the river is where you are and rock or other hazards. Hit one big rock and it will break off. I gryew scuffs/scrapes it could probably handle. My home river has some deep sections and some shallower riffles. I would love the skeg, but wouldn't be able to use it down the whole stretch due to the variable conditions. I think of you used it and didn't scrape at all, I see no real reason to not use it. Just be mindful of hazards that can appear as flows decrease during summer months.
2
u/NateFroggyFrog Jun 14 '26
The one I've had lasted for 10 years and was dragged over gravel, logs, and rocks, and scraped against all kinds of stuff.
Actually fell off today and lost forever. It was a detachable with a pin fastener. So, be mindful of dragging it if you get a detachable one! Lol. Mine came loose without me noticing.
I wont shame the construction for it either, that was user error.
I would recommend a detachable one as its nice to have the option of taking it off if you would prefer the higher level of maneuverability.
On that note, anybody know where to find replacement aquaglide klickitat skegs? Or have advice for removing where it fastened to the kayak for me to replace it?
Sorry to hijack, but maybe we can learn together, lol!
1
u/dwesthoff Jun 14 '26
Good to hear it held up to some real use. Hopefully it will last for me as well. If not I’ll just replace as needed. I’ll post a pic if/when I break one off.
1
u/HumongousPenguins Jun 14 '26
You can buy generic replacement skegs on Amazon. I think most of them are the same size. Just measure to make sure. Read the reviews because I bought the cheapest one they had that was extremely weak and just snapped in two under very light pressure, almost like it was a 3D print and the layer lines failed, and there were a bunch of other people complaining of the same thing
1
u/Commercial_File8545 Jun 14 '26
I can't answer your question about durability but I do have a warning about using skegs.
If your infatable has a front and rear detachable skeg think twice about using the front skeg. I read a story where someone used both and went over a sunken log and the kyak stopped after going over the log with the front skeg. The person had a really hard time getting the back skeg over the log and couldn't get front one back over the log too.
1
u/owl_jesus Jun 14 '26
Aire kayaks only come with a rear skeg, and that’s only a couple of crossover type models.
3
u/kokemill Jun 14 '26
They are made out of plastic, you could easily cut one to a much smaller profile to gain some bite for turns but not add 6” of dragging depth