Hi all, Greg Hollingsworth said, "Hey, let's face it, rudders and skegs both are problematic... but from my experiences, they're somewhat necessary to add versatility to a boat. I like to paddle in all conditions, calm days at one extreme to big winds and waves at the other extreme. I've never met a boat that handles both extremes well without a rudder or skeg." I think that Greg hit the definitive answer. It you want a versatile boat, stick a skeg or a rudder on it. If they're retractable, you don't have to use 'em. One argument against rudders is the cables. I've had plenty of problems with them fraying and breaking. I've also had a problem with the rudder coming down by itself in heavy surf. The result is usually a bent rudder. I've not had the luxury of paddling a wide variety of boats, but I can't imagine a boat that handle ALL conditions without the owner wishing (occasionally) that he/she had a little "dohicky" hanging down there helping out. Plus, I like taking it easy and the rudder let's me relax and "zone" in on my forward stroke without having to take correctional strokes. I do, however, appreciate hearing all the opinions and feel that there is much merit in debating things that some feel don't really need debating. Cheers, Wishy-washy Dave Dave Williams, SeaCanoe Training Director Home tel: +66 76 254-514 Work tel: +66 76 212-252 Fax: +66 76 212-172 dave_at_seacanoe.com http://seacanoe.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Sep 15 1998 - 08:28:58 PDT
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