Gerald Foodman wrote: > > Having done extensive trials of my GTS over several years, here is my > analysis of rudder use on this boat: > 1)...Somehow I am stronger on one side than the other and the rudder > enables me to get max power without thinking of corrective strokes. > 2) In protected areas with 15 knot or greater beam wind I take the rudder > up. Deploying the rudder causes the bow to blow down wind and the resulting > trim rudder noticeably slows the boat. > 3) I have a slightly weak rotator cuff > 4) If conditions get hairy, I take the rudder up. > 5) If I have to do a quick 180 in windy conditions, I take the rudder up. > 6) No rudder practicing in surf. > 7) ...I generally start off without the rudder because it is more > fun. On the return trip I generally deploy the rudder if I am getting > tired. > 8) I use the rudder to turn if it is deployed. > > I notice that numerous posters claim proudly that they seldom use the > rudders they have. I don't see the logic. Rudders are a great help at > times and improve the ease and enjoyment of a paddle if used judiciously. Based on your report, it seems that if you were better balanced (see 1)(not to say you're unbalanced or anything :) ) and didn't have a weak RC (3), and usually paddled in Lloyd-type conditions (4), you'd use it a lot less. Whether that's a pride issue or not, I dunno. I once remarked to a poster who had gone on about how she didn't use a rudder and no one else needed to if they would just get the right boat and learn to paddle that she was an anti-rudder snob and might as well admit it. Her somewhat sniffy (to me) response was that pride had nothing to do with it. As you comment, I think it does for some people. Me, I keep it up until I can't paddle straight, then I use it. Steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Apr 21 2000 - 10:52:38 PDT
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