Re: [Paddlewise] how do you do that, rudderless?

I would guess that you are probably getting pushed around by the waves more
than you are weather cocking, because the weather cocking forces are too
minimal when running straight downwind. But here's a couple of ways to
minimize weather cocking anyway. If you are paddling loaded boats, be sure
to put more heavy stuff in the stern just behind your seat. You might also
try leaning back some, which can significantly reduce weather helm in some
boats. But this is uncomfortable long term. If the seat is adjustable, you
might try moving it back a notch. Also, make sure that you have very little
stuff piled up on the rear decks, as the windage from deck bags can
exacerbate the problem.

However, what is most likely happening is that your boats are doing
mini-broaches on the waves. The best thing you can do in this situation is
learn how to surf the waves! Surfing waves in a kayak is the most noble of
all endeavors.

But to surf the waves, you'll need the following:

1. Good edge control. This starts with good outfitting. perception is pretty
lax with regard to putting in thigh braces on their plastic sea kayaks. Find
a place that sells perception kayaks and have them order some of their
whitewather thigh braces. They should fit without a hassle. Spend some time
making your boat fit snug but not constricting. This is the most important
and most overlooked thing in sea kayaking. Every other skill in kayaking
will improve with good edge control. And btw, your boats will edge just fine
once the outfitting is good.

2. Learn how to rudder as Dave Kruger and others suggest. Very good at
correcting a broach as it gets out of control. Make certain you know the
difference between a braking rudder and a clean rudder.

3. Timing. To catch a wave, paddle forward normally. Try to get a feeling
for how the waves speed you up and slow you down as they pass beneath. You
want to turn on the jets just before the speeding up phase occurs. Once you
have caught the wave, lean back slightly and get ready to put in a rudder to
prevent a broach. At first, ruddering will be ugly and broaching will be
frequent. But eventually, you will be able to anticipate a broach early
enough that the rudder will only have to be minimal and graceful. This is
how you achieve surfing zen.

4. Coordinate rudder and edge control. Sometimes the broach is just
impossible to prevent, because sea kayaks are so long. However it is
possible to use advanced technique to correct a determined broach and
continue with the surf. With my hard chined Pygmy Arctic Tern, I can do this
edging into the wave face and simultaneously placing a strong and clean
rudder on the down wave side. This kind of contortion is very difficult for
most people and feels awkward or has very little power on the rudder.
However it is a fairly basic skill for whitewater kayakers who like to surf
river waves. What surprised me was how well it worked with my sea kayak on
about four foot wind waves. The flat bottom and hard chines definitely help
in this respect. Round bottom boats are almost impossible to correct in a
broach without also capsizing. Flat bottom boats are simply much better for
surfing.

5. Don't be afraid to look behind you and paddle in the direction of the
steepest waves. :)

I hope you're not shaking your head and saying, "surfing? you've got to be
kidding". It's a lot of fun, and really not so inaccessible as some might
think.

Cheers,
Kevin



----- Original Message -----
From: <timbre_at_spiger.com>
To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 12:22 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] how do you do that, rudderless?


> hi all,
>
> ok, to "edge" in (ha ha) on the rudder/rudderless debate, i'll ask you
> experienced paddlers a "how-to" question.  the hubster and i have faced
> 1--3 foot wind waves with the wind at our back a few times and been
> somewhat dismayed, or at least a little surprised (translation:  "only
been
> kayaking 18 mos.") at how our relatively beamy, flat-bottomed  boats
> weathercocked.... or at least were pushed around.  we've kept trying to do
> small corrections and edge to keep the wind at our backs, and garner
> whatever momentum we could off the wavelet crests.... but how, officially,
> DO you do this?  the last time, we only had to go 4 miles or so, but it
was
> a longish 4 miles.  we both paddle perception plastic boats. (carolina)


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