Re: [Paddlewise] Rudder story

Matt Broze wrote:
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
> <SNIP>
> 
> >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 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.
> 
> Since the need for a rudder is so boat dependent I would like to know what
> boat we are talking about when experiences are described. This is a lot like
> labelling "drugs" as bad when there are all sorts of different drugs which
> have all sorts of different actions.

As I said, she rented several different models - North Sea, Wilderness Systems
somethinorother XS, CD GTS, a few others. The problem is hers, not the kayaks.

Remember, Matt, the problem for the beginner is learning how to do a good
sweep stroke, how to lean (this is particularly difficult for nervous 
beginners, convinced of the myth of tippy kayaks), how to do correction
strokes etc.  Most beginners, especially with canoeing experience, will
adopt steering strokes (ruddering) while experienced kayakers avoid them.

> >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.
> 
> This is the "put training wheels on your bike when you are learning"
> approach. Just slows the learning process way down and creates bad habits
> that you will need to unlearn.

There are merits to training wheels.  When I learned to ride a bike over 
forty years ago, my dad put training wheels on my bike for about a 
week.  I'd play on it all day and he'd take the wheels off in the 
early evening and run alongside me while I struggled with balance.
On the next weekend he took the wheels off for the last time.  I
remember very clearly yelling "Hey daddy, I'm doin' it!", turning to
see him standing way back (while I though he was still holding on) 
and wiping out.  He told me to get up and ride myself.  I did and the
training wheels were put away for good.  

Most kids have training wheels put on their bikes and the wheels are 
left on the bike for the summer.  The parents never get involved in 
the teaching and the kids take forever to learn how to balance.

Now note, wrt paddling, I said the key is instruction and weaning
the paddler off the rudder - active involvement in the teaching
and development of skills.  Using the rudder allows the paddler
to get the feel of other aspects of the kayak and experience
the paddling environment without getting overly caught up in 
technique.  One step at a time.  If Amie had nothing but 
struggling to deal with when starting out, I'd not have a 
good paddling partner today and that doesn't make for a 
good relationship.


> >
> >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).
> 
> A "V" sail work just fine without the rudder. Just tilt it in the opposite
> way you want to turn.

But that's only one design.  Will it work regardless of the point where
the mast is stepped?  What about those who use kites or umbrellas?
If you assume everyone will paddle only one kayak model with all the
same gear, then we may not need rudders, but this doesn't address the
real marketplace.

> 
> >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.
> 
> Again what boats are you talking about that have given you these
> experiences.

Irrelevant.  Can you design a kayak that won't require a rudder
regardless of the paddler's size or weight, trim condition, wave 
or wind conditions, sail type, gear on deck, towing requirements
etc, etc, etc?  There are too many variables outside the control
of the designer.  I don't think you can do it.  I've tried kayaks
that the designer claimed didn't need a rudder (he told me he
designed it not to have a rudder, but the maker added a rudder
to make it sellable)  I found a rudder helped when I was bushed 
at the end of a trip - wind and wind waves on my rear quarter.  
The relentless sweep strokes on one side were wearing me out.

> 
> >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.
> 
> This arguement presupposes there aren't any disadvantages to having a rudder
> mounted when there are numerous ones.
> 

I haven't heard an argument against that I can't discount.  I 
personally believe that we haven't seen a really well designed
rudder yet.  Most wobble, many lack a proper cross section etc.

Mike
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