: Hi Bob, how committed are you to this trip in light of the tracking problems
: you are experiencing? I'm just wondering about committing to a trip in
: anticipation of the boat or you being ready, or depending on mild
: conditions so as to stay within a particular range of dificulty of boat
: control.

Good points. Kayakers have the potential to get into trouble if they can't control their boat (Put it where they want it, how they want it, when they want to) under any conditions they may encounter on a trip without the aid of rudders and/or skegs. Mechanical assistance can break or fail. Paddle skills and boat control are the bottom line of safety.

Randy