Re: [Paddlewise] picture perfect rudder

-----Original Message-----
From: Rev. Bob Carter <revkayak_at_ptialaska.net>


>I use the  rudder on my sealion :
>
>A., for taking pictures. The rudder keeps the boat pointed in one direction
>while I play photographer. Nothing more frustrating then to have the boat
>turning while ftrying to focus.

Lots of things frustrate me more, maybe I should move to Sitka. How do you
use the rudder to keep the boat pointed in one direction if you are not
moving? How do you focus the camera at the same time you are paddling--or
while moving at all for any reason--the focus may keep changing? Or do you
really mean trying to COMPOSE a picture as you drift to a stop once you have
quit paddling. If so, I'll grant that its easier with a rudder but I can
grip my camera with my thumb and two forefingers while using the paddle with
the other hand and the two little fingers on my camera hand (or push with my
forearm). Unlike Doug Lloyd, I haven't lost a camera to salt water yet.
>
>
>B.for watching wildlife, keeping my upper body still has allowed me a lot
of
>viewing time of bears, otters and birds. Whereas the flash of a correcting
>paddle stroke sometimes will send them ducking for cover.
>
How do you power the kayak without paddle strokes to keep it moving (so the
rudder can operate) a small electric motor--the wind?
>
>C. in all day long cross winds


THANK GOD for that rudder! (Or should we blame the devil for the boat?)

>D. for keeping my nose pointed into the wind while resting (so as not to
loose
>too much ground)
>

I'm having trouble picturing how you do this at all and if you are using the
rudder in reverse to guide the stern and keep it pointed down wind you are
going to LOSE way more ground pointed into or away from the wind (where the
kayak can drift more efficently rather than drifting sideways in which case
the drift will be slower). Any kayak that is not being actively managed is
likely to end up sideways to the wind very quickly).
Or did I read this all wrong and you are on land and the rudder is holding
your position by being stuck into the ground to keep the wind from spinning
you around. Or maybe it's tilling the soil as you operate the pedals and
LOOSEning the ground (but not too much ground).


Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com




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