“Although many things are created equal, this is not true of sea kayak skeg systems.   There are many on the market - and most of them do not perform as you might expect and hope.   Common faults include control systems that attack your knuckles or are so stiff that you need two hands to operate them, cables that kink when you have an unplanned 'rock or beach encounter', rope control systems that jam irretrievably when you most need them to work, and skeg blades that are either too shallow to be effective or too flimsy to do the job properly.

Fortunately there is one system out there that really does work - the Karitek wire skeg.   With the sad, and hopefully short-lived, departure of the Hydro-Skeg, the Karitek wire skeg is the industry standard by which all others will be judged (and found wanting!).   Common across all versions, the Karitek skeg control is both positive and unobtrusive, sitting usually in a side seam and not interfering with either leg placement or your paddling action.   The cable is special to Karitek, being both robust and kink free - this is the one cable you can't wreck! The blade is a highly efficient foil, deep-reaching and very strong. All the 'business end' of the system fits into a custom made skeg box which can be a factory fit, aftermarket modification (when you discover your non-Karitek skeg just isn't up to it!) or a home modification for those happy to work on their own boats. 

Several thousand miles and still going strong - those are the skegs, not me!

You've tried the rest - now fit the best: the Karitek wire skeg.

Rowland Woollven, expedition paddler and level 5 coach.
www.rwoollven.co.uk

Skeg: no argument here. We've all gone for the Karitek wire skeg. Deep, strong, easily operated even with frozen fingers and most importantly of all you seldom have to take two consecutive strokes on the same side. Whatever the wind aspect it helps you track as direct as a gannet's dive and that includes Force 6 and up where so many other skegs fail."

Patrick Winterton, member of the Scotland to Norway crossing 2011. www.kayaksonshetlandbus.com