Having done extensive trials of my GTS over several years, here is my analysis of rudder use on this boat: 1) In flat conditions, little wind, but paddling very hard I deploy the rudder. 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) For a long (greater than 2 hours) paddle in moderate conditions, at moderate speeds, I deploy the rudder. I have a slightly weak rotator cuff and hours of paddling with small corrective sweeps eventually causes shoulder aches. In long paddles I also find it much more efficient and relaxing to use the rudder. 4) If conditions get hairy, e.g., Mission Bay Channel entrance on a rough day, with steep following seas, I take the rudder up. I feel much more secure without the rudder in rough conditions. I can turn the boat more quickly and feel more in control. Not sure what I would do if I had to travel a long distance in these conditions. The GTS is very easy to handle in following seas without the rudder. 5) If I have to do a quick 180 in windy conditions, I take the rudder up. The rudder greatly impedes a quick reversal of direction. 6) No rudder practicing in surf. 7) In moderately bumpy seas with swell and wind chop, on a paddle of 2 hours or less, 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 use lean to turn if the rudder is up. Not using the rudder to turn, if it is in the water, makes no sense to me. 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. Jerry *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi, "Rudder deployment" is an issue I have been re-thinking since last fall in Gig Harbor. I have "pinned" or "locked" my pedals with ss bolts. Still, the rudder can be deployed. Until I can get my body parts working together more smoothly, I am considering using my rudder as a "skeg-attached to the stern..." because in my case also, my left side seems to be better with fine motor control, while my right side, seems more powerful. Ideally I would not use my rudder simply because of it's placement and the lack of rigidity of the foot braces [if not pinned] would it seem to me, limit my ability to carve turns etc... as well as be vulnerable to breakage in difficult situations. Anyway it is something I am considering trying soon. Take care, Tom Weese [Bremerton] [NWK Pursuit] At 01:58 PM 4/21/00 -0400, you wrote: >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. >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/ ***************************************************************************
Tom W. wrote: >I have "pinned" or "locked" my pedals with ss >bolts. Still, the rudder can be deployed. Hi Tom, Could you get the Prijon-type rudder/foot pedals? I think they slide onto the standard-type plastic track, but the foot pedal is fixed. The rudder pedal portion is spring-loaded and extends above the foot pedal. Your foot is fixed in place, but you press on the higher rudder pedal by flexing the ball of your foot/toes forward to push the pedal. >I am considering using my rudder as a "skeg-attached to the stern..." Most rudders seem pretty hard to fine-tune between UP and DOWN. It would be nice if there was an easy way to "feather" the amount of rudder in the water so you could use it exactly like a skeg. Later, Shawn -- Shawn W. Baker 0 46°53'N © 2000 ____©/______ 114°06'W ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ baker_at_montana.com 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:39 AM 4/24/00 -0600, Shawn W. Baker wrote: >Tom W. wrote: >>I have "pinned" or "locked" my pedals with ss >>bolts. Still, the rudder can be deployed. > >Hi Tom, >Could you get the Prijon-type rudder/foot pedals? I think they slide >onto the standard-type plastic track, but the foot pedal is fixed. If you can't get the gas pedal rudder/foot pegs from Prijon, try Seaward. They use the same system on their boats. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
The prijon pedals take a different track, they *don't* slide onto standard <?> tracks. They do work amazingly well. Steve Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe 250 NE Tomahawk Isle Dr Portland, OR 97217 Phone: 503.285.0464 Fax: 503.285.0106 Web site: http://www.aldercreek.com Email: acks_at_teleport.com ______________________________________________ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shawn W. Baker" <baker_at_montana.com> To: "TomW" <gadfly911_at_earthlink.net>; "Paddlewise" <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 7:39 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Rudder Analysis > Tom W. wrote: > >I have "pinned" or "locked" my pedals with ss > >bolts. Still, the rudder can be deployed. > > Hi Tom, > Could you get the Prijon-type rudder/foot pedals? I think they slide > onto the standard-type plastic track, but the foot pedal is fixed. The > rudder pedal portion is spring-loaded and extends above the foot pedal. > Your foot is fixed in place, but you press on the higher rudder pedal by > flexing the ball of your foot/toes forward to push the pedal. > > >I am considering using my rudder as a "skeg-attached to the stern..." > Most rudders seem pretty hard to fine-tune between UP and DOWN. It > would be nice if there was an easy way to "feather" the amount of rudder > in the water so you could use it exactly like a skeg. > > Later, > Shawn > > -- > Shawn W. Baker 0 46°53'N > © 2000 ____©/______ 114°06'W > ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ > baker_at_montana.com 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/ > *************************************************************************** > 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/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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