Re: [Paddlewise] rudder advice

At the company that I guide for, the Feathercraft rudder gives us more trouble than any other rudder assembly.On a personal kayak the Feathercraft rudder may be O. K., but on rental kayaks, in a fleet, they don't hold up. On doubles I like the Valley rudder, made in Britain, though the deployment and lift lines sometimes get twisted and tangled.The Maple blade gives it a nice and natural look.
Rudders seem to be a sometimes necessary piece of gear, though in singles a retractable skeg can be a good choice. There again skegs have the habit, in my experience, of jamming at the most awkward times, with pebbles that lodge in the opening of the skeg box.No rudder or skeg should be a substitute for good  paddle skills. 
Cheers,
Don Watson
    -----Original Message-----
    From: richard <richard_at_saber.net>
    To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
    Date: Friday, November 20, 1998 11:30 AM
    Subject: [Paddlewise] rudder advice
    
    
    Byron,
     
     
    I am no expert on rudders but i do know that Feathercraft has one of the best. 
    It has been copied by Aquaterra, Current Designs, Wilderness Systems.
    Can be purchased from Feathercraft for non-Feathercraft kayaks for about
    $100. Worth checking out.
     
    Richard M
      

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