I like a loose tracking boat because once you put an adjustable skeg on it you have the full range of adjustable tracking
from loose to tight to choose from. There is a sweet spot in there for all conditions. imo.

: I wimped out and added a small fixed skeg to my (my daughter's
: actually) Guillemot. I tried for some time to master it's
: tracking skittishness, and while I know my skills are more the
: problem than the boat, I finally decided to add the skeg. Even
: if I get skilled enough to manage the problem, in the end it's
: going to be used by a new paddler so I think the skeg's the
: right thing to do.

: It's made of oak, about 18" long, and starts about 4 form
: stations back from the stern. I'll report on the new handling
: characteristics once I get it out of drydock.

: Kirk