Re: [Paddlewise] Rudders/Curious survey..

Geo. Bergeron wrote:
> 
>         Now that the subject's been raised, who uses rudders and who leans
> the boat?
>   <SNIP>


I have an old folbot, super. I had it over 12 years and put a good many 
miles on it before I "got smart" and put a rudder on it. I've lost count 
of the times I lost control of it in strong winds! I would just regain 
and keep going.? After installing one a few years back I don't see 
how I lived with out it! I still don't use it much, except to hold a line 
when I need it."I may not be as strong a paddler with it but I darn sure 
smile a lot more! :>)" I also fly a kite and use a down wind spinnaker, 
so use the rudder then.
I don't know if I've gotten smarter but I've sure gotten older and I 
would never go back to not having a rudder, atleast on that boat.
Almost all my paddling in the super is solo so the rudder helps replace 
that "front" paddler. My wife goes on a couple of overnighters with me 
each year but she is a non-paddler, so the rudder is still welcome.

I also have a folbot, aleut. I've had it over four years and have yet to 
find a condition that makes me even "think" rudder. It goes where you 
point it and stays that way! Good, fun little kayak!!

      >...Curious survey part....<

>Edward F. Luty wrote....

>My question is this: How often is the average paddler on this
>list able to get onto the water? Once a week, a couple of times a month,
>every day(for those fortunate to live on or near the water)?
>       I was just wondering......
>                                Thanks
>


The bad news is I live about 80 miles from the nearest paddleable water 
and can only get off to go once, maybe twice a month.
The good news is I can go year around, and ALWAYS make it a two or three 
night affair! A couple of times a year I take off for a week or more. 
Every now and then I sneak it a two weeker. I once spent over two months 
on a trip.."Heaven!!!!"

My boats are always paddled loaded and I have only paddled each one of 
them maybe once with out gear.

If I lived closer(to water) I would go more often. As it is, go less, 
stay longer.<G>

James

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