SWriverstone
Paddler
I know—this topic has been beaten to death (apologies). But as a relatively recent long-distance sea kayaker, I've been puzzled by the debate over rudders.
For example, I recently read this article on the topic:
In it, the author says (humorously):
This pretty much mirrors what I've always heard about rudders, LOL. The reason I'm posting about it is this:
I am no stranger to advanced paddling techniques and boat control. For many years I was a competitive whitewater slalom racer, an Olympic sport which arguably requires the most advanced and perfect boat-manuevering technique on Earth. Corrective strokes, sculls, feathering, draws, sweeps, and other similar corrective strokes are second-nature to me. And yet, I *worship* the rudder on my plastic Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 kayak!
With the rudder up, my kayak tracks reasonably well, but frankly, it's still a pain in the butt to paddle long distances. No matter how good your technique and no matter which techniques you use, you cannot escape one simple fact: corrective strokes use more energy than simple, straight-line paddling. You will tire far more quickly using corrective strokes than not using them.
Now I do understand what is typically suggested about not having a rudder: that GOOD, well-trimmed sea kayaks with a skeg will track perfectly and be far easier to paddle. (Or at least that's the implied suggestion.)
It's very possible that my boat is NOT well-trimmed, which is why I worship my rudder. LOL And yes, I do need to try paddling a "well trimmed" kayak someday with a skeg. But in my hundreds of miles of long-distance experience so far (including paddling with a heavy crosswind and into the wind) I have never once experienced a situation in which my rudder didn't allow me to track straight and true (even into heavy winds) with barely any effort.
With regard to weathercocking, the author of the article above says "If a fully deployed skeg makes your boat turn uncontrollably downwind in breezy conditions, won’t a rudder do the same? Of course, it will." In my experience, this is complete BS. I've never once had my ruddered kayak try to "turn uncontrollably downwind" in windy conditions. (So what is this guy talking about???)
Please know I have no agenda here to bash rudderless boats or skegs—and I'm not saying everyone should use a rudder. I'm just saying in my experience, I've never once encountered any negative issues whatsoever using the rudder on my boat...which makes me wonder why this debate seems to never end?
Scott
For example, I recently read this article on the topic:
The Real Problem With Rudders
One man's absolutely final word on the angsty debate dividing the sea kayaking world.
paddlingmag.com
In it, the author says (humorously):
I’ve heard all the arguments, including: rudders are dangerous in rescues, they break when you need them most, moving foot pedals makes it impossible to brace, rudders inhibit proper skills development, rudders contribute to loose moral virtue and the increase of gout. Rudders are bad. They will give you smelly feet.
This pretty much mirrors what I've always heard about rudders, LOL. The reason I'm posting about it is this:
I am no stranger to advanced paddling techniques and boat control. For many years I was a competitive whitewater slalom racer, an Olympic sport which arguably requires the most advanced and perfect boat-manuevering technique on Earth. Corrective strokes, sculls, feathering, draws, sweeps, and other similar corrective strokes are second-nature to me. And yet, I *worship* the rudder on my plastic Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165 kayak!
With the rudder up, my kayak tracks reasonably well, but frankly, it's still a pain in the butt to paddle long distances. No matter how good your technique and no matter which techniques you use, you cannot escape one simple fact: corrective strokes use more energy than simple, straight-line paddling. You will tire far more quickly using corrective strokes than not using them.
Now I do understand what is typically suggested about not having a rudder: that GOOD, well-trimmed sea kayaks with a skeg will track perfectly and be far easier to paddle. (Or at least that's the implied suggestion.)
It's very possible that my boat is NOT well-trimmed, which is why I worship my rudder. LOL And yes, I do need to try paddling a "well trimmed" kayak someday with a skeg. But in my hundreds of miles of long-distance experience so far (including paddling with a heavy crosswind and into the wind) I have never once experienced a situation in which my rudder didn't allow me to track straight and true (even into heavy winds) with barely any effort.
With regard to weathercocking, the author of the article above says "If a fully deployed skeg makes your boat turn uncontrollably downwind in breezy conditions, won’t a rudder do the same? Of course, it will." In my experience, this is complete BS. I've never once had my ruddered kayak try to "turn uncontrollably downwind" in windy conditions. (So what is this guy talking about???)
Please know I have no agenda here to bash rudderless boats or skegs—and I'm not saying everyone should use a rudder. I'm just saying in my experience, I've never once encountered any negative issues whatsoever using the rudder on my boat...which makes me wonder why this debate seems to never end?
Scott