[Paddlewise] "Gas pedal" rudder controls

I have been experimenting with both the Prijon and Seaward gas pedal
systems.

I installed the Prijon system on my Folbot GII.  You need to use screws
to mount it because bolts and nuts will limit pedal range.  I found that
it works, but flexes a bit.  The screws that Prijon supplies must be
power-driven in.  Maybe there are some US (non-German) self tappers that
aren't so hard to drive and can be done by hand.

I decided on the Seawards for installation on my new Necky Looksha
IV's.  The principal reason is that the Seaward (really Yakima/Werner)
aluminum tracks are stiffer than the Prijon plastic track.  Also, the
pedals are shorter, which permits the track to be higher.  Lastly, they
are a little lighter.

Installing these pedals at the correct height is more complicated that
first appears.  If you have a big foot and a low-volume hull, there
might not be enough room for your foot or the pedal under the deck on
the side you are turning away from (which side goes vertical when you
turn).  Remember, you are also constrained by the requirement that the
pivot point fall under the ball of your foot.  All this means that you
might have to mount the gas pedal track lower (like 1/2") than the fixed
peg track it is replacing.

Also, you need to think about how these are really used.  With fixed
pegs, most people like to have their heels on the hull and the balls of
their feet on the pegs, with the feet splayed athwartships at around 45
degrees to the vertical.  With the gas pedals, some people don't rest
their heels on the hull so they can steer with little effort.  Others
might find it uncomfortable to have their heels off the hull.

I found it most comfortable to keep my heels on the hull.  When I wanted
to turn, I would lift one heel and angle that foot forward.  I would
slide the other heel forward on the hull and angle the foot toward the
vertical.  Fortunately, this also assists you in leaning the boat away
from the turn, which is how you turn the boat without rudder.

Whether I will want to hold such a pose for a few hours paddling in a
strong cross wind remains to be seen.  It beats a standard rudder
because you are still braced.  One person suggested adjusting the straps
to get a desired rudder offset, but who wants to open his skirt and
fiddle around in a strong sea?

If someone is tempted to suggest a skeg as the best alternative, I also
like to use a kite for downwind work -- which requires a rudder.

Ken Cooperstein


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