I've never had to actually scribe the skeg on a Wherry to fit---when fastened on, it "edge-sets" easily to match the hull shape.  Definitely don't trim it any shorter.  You can always email a pic to [email protected] if it continues to be a head-scratcher.  

Hi John,

My skeg is 4' long - when I lay it on the keel, beginning at the stern, the first 2' sit flat, but as the keel curves towards the bow, the skeg no longer remains in contact with the keel.  At the front edge of the skeg it is 3/4" off the keel.  Is this emblematic of a misshapen hull?  It wouldn't take much for me to shape the skeg to fit this curve, but it's interesting (perhaps worrying, for me) that you've never encountered this before.  Thanks,

Scott

I did rasp the surface of the skeg where it contacted the undersurface of the hull along its forward half just a bit, to get a good flat fit.

And then i used straps to hold it in place rather than the nails or screws (can't remember) suggested in the plans.  It worked great.

Go with what works. Good luck- Hickory

Thanks for the pics, Hickory.  Great idea using the straps.  I haven't got a choice when it comes to fitting the skeg, I'll have to scribe it to suit the keel.  I am glad that I'm not the only one who's encountered this. 

Thanks again,

Scott