Re: [Paddlewise] Rudder story

Jerry Hawkins wrote:

> Here's a non-expert follow on to Doug's comments.
>
> At 11:13 PM 10/07/1999 -0700, Doug Lloyd wrote:
> >Woody wrote:
> >> There are only 2 reasons I've seen to use a rudder. Someone tell me if I
> >> missed any: 1) To compensate for a design shortfall. 2) To compensate for
> >lack of >paddler skill.<snip>
>
> Doug wrote:
> ...
> >fast-tracking them (pardon the pun) into the sport with minimum training
> >efforts and maximum enjoyment.
> ...
> There's much of the point.  Many of the pros seem to be believe that all kayakers should be kayakers first and all else second.  Many of the people getting kayaks these days are bird watchers or nature lovers, or just want exercise or outdoors time.  Fast tracking people in is a good thing except when people are encouraged to get in places far above their skill and boat levels.  Encourage diversity.  Encourage enjoyment.

I think there's potential value in rudders as a way of introducing newbies to kayaking.  My sweetie,
Amie, paddled last year for the first time "full time".   We bought her a kayak after renting several
different types.  She basically likes kayaking (her background is canoeing) but kayaks more
because I love it and we do things together.  (yes, I have to do stuff she likes)

She couldn't get the hang of the boat without the rudder at first.  We worked on it and she
understood what she had to do.  Some lessons later, she started to get it, but still used
the rudder quite often.  This year,  the first time out she didn't use the rudder
even though conditions weren't ideal.  I commented on it towards the end of the day and
she turned, looked at the rudder and said "I forgot about that!"  She rarely used the
rudder at all this year, reserving it for really rough winds or when she's too tired to
use constant correction strokes.  (And she won't get in over her head - I see to that!)

The key is instruction and "weaning" the paddler off the rudder so it doesn't become a
crutch.  I emphasize to Amie and others that it's a "trim tab" rather than a steering
device and it should be used as such.

There are reasons for having rudders that have nothing to do with bad kayak design,
being a poor paddler, being a wimp, etc.  Ya can't sail without a rudder (unless you
have several arms).  I wouldn't want to go on a long trip in cross winds without one
and would prefer to have one if I suffered from a sore shoulder or elbow on a trip
and had to deal with wind.

I want to get a "high performance" day paddling kayak and it won't have a rudder.
But I'll keep my ruddered tripping boat for longer outings, even if i haven't used the
rudder in a long time.  I haven't used my first aid kit on a trip yet either, but always
bring that so it's there in the event I need it.

I think the rudder argument is like "real men don't eat quiche".  Real men eat whatever
they bloody well want to!

Mike

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