John Winters wrote: > > ...<snip>... Some of the old timers on this list may recall the > rudder Vs no-rudder debate on Wave-Length in pre-Paddlewise. If > I recall correctly the down-under contingent argued rather forcefully > that the rudder accomplished this aspect of control more easily since > one could not shift weight in the boat easily or as smoothly while > underway but could steer easily all the time. > > I mention this not to restart the old pro and anti-rudder debate ... Yeah, right! :-) As you realize, there isn't a need to shift weight while underway if you have loaded the kayak appropriately, possess adequate skills, and are paddling a kayak that is sufficiently maneuverable (and yes that *is* how it is spelled, unless you have a picture of British royalty on your currency or live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case you need to add an "o"). The issue is one of "fine tuning" versus "coarse tuning". Load the boat so that there is a *slight* tendency to weathercock. (Lee helm can be dangerous with high winds, since it can make it very difficult to turn the boat into the wind.) With the right boat it is then easy to control the boat at all points to the wind through the subtle application of paddle strokes, edging, and body rotation (the appropriate combination of these being determined by the conditions). The weight distribution achieves the "coarse" tuning, and the paddler then applies the "fine" tuning. I have paddled for many years using this approach in a wide range of conditions, including full gales on the open coast. For the past few years I have paddled a skeg-free Caribou, which someone here said is difficult to control in the wind (huh?), but which I find to be a joy to paddle in the wind using the above approach. Which brings me to my reason for paddling without a rudder or skeg--it's fun!! Using paddle strokes and body english to control a boat is a blast! IMHO, many of the arguments that have been advanced against the use of rudders are either too utilitarian or are exaggerated. Rudders do not preclude solid foot pegs, they do not interfere significantly with towing, they do not make it all that difficult to back up (flip it up!), they do not prevent seal launchings or landings (see above), they add little drag (if they are rigidly mounted, properly shaped, and used at small angles), and they can be quite reliable (if properly maintained). They offer some added risk in the surf zone, but only if you come out of your boat! In spite of this, I really do not like to use a rudder (or skeg) because it is *more fun* to paddle without one. Matt, why don't you add that to your list? Some folks may prefer to paddle with a rudder because they experience kayaking simply as means of touring rather than as a paddle sport, in which case they want things to be as easy as possible. Others may want the ease of a rudder when confronted with paddling very long distances day after day (for example, when circumnavigating a continent), in which case the rudder acts as a type of "cruise control". And there may be other reasons why people prefer to use rudders. If you enjoy using rudders, that's great! But why not give rudder-free paddling a try (if you haven't done so already)--after you work at it a bit you may just find that you have been missing out on one of the joys of paddling. Happy paddling! (Or is that "happy ruddering"!) Dan Hagen Bellingham, Washington *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Sep 04 1999 - 09:28:21 PDT
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