Adding a Keel

How feasible would it be to add a keal to a cheap sit on top kayak? I don't have the budget or room for a longer, ocean faring kayak. Would it be a bad idea to try and plastic weld a keel to a shorter kayak to improve tracking? Maybe add a removable extension for better tracking and easier storage, and/or pontoons.

What do you think you'll gain with a keel?

Let us know what kayak and how long is it, too, please.

Way too many unknown variables, what boat ,what length, where you plan on using it most, how do you transport, not to mention what that will do when trying to surf launch or land

What do you think you'll gain with a keel?

Let us know what kayak and how long is it, too, please.

Better tracking, try to limit being blown sideways by the wind. It was more of a general idea.

Way too many unknown variables, what boat ,what length, where you plan on using it most, how do you transport, not to mention what that will do when trying to surf launch or land

I don't have a specific kayak in mind, one of the inexpensive sit on tops no more than 10 feet long. I'd use it for general fishing on the river and occasionally going out spearing (I wouldn't be going very far out). Surf launching, but I'll be in the water anyways so getting wet isn't an issue.

I was thinking of something similar to this:

I see a transportation problem first off, unless you use saddles car topping will mot likely bend or break the keel upside down with straps across that sticking up would be hard on the welds, won't sit right in a j-cradle either.
Biggest thing would be what's your budget now ,?do you forsee an upgrade in the future?
Used boats are fairly decent priced and my big tuna has no rudder and if I'm paddling it tracks fine.

Generally a rudder and/or good paddling techniques are used to prevent weather cocking (i.e. poor tracking due to side winds). 

Most recreational kayaks track pretty well, and you'll quickly get good at keeping a kayak going in a straight line by making small corrections with each paddle stroke.  I'd buy a kayak which seems appropriate and try it out before thinking about making any major modifications. 

I agree that practicing on technique and possibly adding a rudder is a much better solution than adding a keel.

But I'm confused.  You don't own a kayak and are trying to solve a problem that may not exist?  Most of us wait until we have a kayak before we start trying to fix things that aren't wrong.

There's nothing wrong with that Pelican hull that would require the major modification you're considering.

   Alex

  QUIT   THINKING

   Alex

  QUIT   THINKING

Sometimes the simple answer is the best one