RiverRunner R5

Anyone else here own one of these? I bought mine 2 years ago, and love it, except for the fact the skeg comes off too easily when I bump a rock. Someone told me he never uses the skeg, but I find it difficult to steer without it. Would love to hear from other R5 owners, and their tips and tricks.

my wife just took delivery of one today. She wants to be out in the Welland Canal today and find out how it works.

Well after a first day of paddling I would agree that it is really hard to keep an R5 in a straight line. I get going to a certain speed and all of a sudden it wants to swap ends.

Do you find this as well?

'Well after a first day of paddling I would agree that it is really hard to keep an R5 in a straight line. I get going to a certain speed and all of a sudden it wants to swap ends.

Do you find this as well?'

Yes I do...that's why I was hoping someone else here would have some kind of tips. I'm talking about paddling without the skeg of course...with the skeg there is no problem. Someone else once told me that to run in rivers and creeks where one should remove the skeg, that he just tied it on real tight, with the rope running to the bottom of the skeg to keep it on. I've talked to another person with an R5 that told me he doesn't use the skeg anymore, not even on the lake...once you figure out how it's done it's no problem. Something to do with using your body as well as the paddle. Anyways, I've got my work cut out for me this summer. Last year I wanted to learn the Eskimo roll, but it's hard to do, but this year I'm not going to give up till I get it.