>Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 12:57:17 -0400 (EDT) >From: Kevin Whilden <kwhilden_at_yourplanetearth.org> >Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] She needed a rudder I have thought about this a good bit since I own a Osprey STD and a Folbot Aleut (& a couple other boats) The Osprey is a remarkably straight tracker. Normally this is not a problem. My wife has some challenge turning the Osprey but I do not but I *really* have to lean it to turn. I have thought about adding a rudder for convenience for her and others and even for myself since it takes me more energy to turn without one. I am NOT an expert paddler and it is rather unlikely I will have the time and opportunity to become (&remain) one. I am certain that a fair number of experts are on this list but there just are not that many as a percentage of the paddling population. I have had a rudder fail on me once, only in a critical position and it was the only time I have entered the water involuntarily. I also learned how much water a plastic double can take in, a lot. I had to swim it to shore which was close fortunately. Despite that experience, if a rudder helps some people some of the time what is the problem? I agree a person should be able to paddle without one but after that it is just a convenience as are a lot of features of modern boats. Also a rudder makes sailing workable (yes, I know it is just barely possible without one) and I like that, even my plastic sit on tops have rudders for that reason. Another reason for rudders is doubles, a double without a rudder is called a "divorce boat". So except for agreeing that a person should be skilled enough to paddle without one, IMHO if you want one-go ahead-if you don't-thats fine too. As someone from LA let me just say"Why can't we all get along?" *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank & Susan Malinowski" <yakers_at_earthlink.net> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 9:10 PM Subject: RE:[Paddlewise] Rudder snip > So except for agreeing that a person should be skilled enough to paddle > without one, IMHO if you want one-go ahead-if you don't-thats fine too. I agree. Rudders shouldn't be substitutes for boat handling skills; anyone making the argument that they're nothing more than alternatives to proficiency is imposing a false option; in some instances, focusing exclusively on skills can unnecessarily cloud the issue; choosing a rudder is an individual decision that matches a specific kayak and an individual paddler; for example, some have described "rudder dependent" designs, apparently recognizing that rudders on some kayaks under certain conditions can increase overall forward paddling efficiency; if this is so, why wouldn't a paddler, regardless of skill level, take advantage of this increased efficiency? By removing the skill red herring, one can focus on individual goals and specific kayak designs when deciding whether a rudder is appropriate. Craig *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:26 AM 9/27/01 -0400, Craig MacKinnon <elroca_at_earthlink.net> wrote: >Rudders shouldn't be substitutes for boat handling skills; anyone making the >argument that they're nothing more than alternatives to proficiency is >imposing a false option; in some instances, focusing exclusively on skills >can unnecessarily cloud the issue; choosing a rudder is an individual >decision that matches a specific kayak This is true both ways. It would take a whole lot of chopping and fiberglassing to get a rudder onto some boats, my PinTail comes to mind. > and an individual paddler; for >example, some have described "rudder dependent" designs, apparently >recognizing that rudders on some kayaks under certain conditions can >increase overall forward paddling efficiency; if this is so, why wouldn't a >paddler, regardless of skill level, take advantage of this increased >efficiency? Because in some instances a rudder would wreck an otherwise nice boat. >By removing the skill red herring, one can focus on individual >goals and specific kayak designs when deciding whether a rudder is >appropriate. For some of us skills are a goal unto themselves. I have one boat that absolutely requires a rudder, and one that I feel a rudder would wreck. Carving turns via edging can be a joy, a feeling I've never gotten from plowing around a turn with a ruddered boat. The current designs speedster will turn pretty quickly with the rudder, but it just doesn't feel like a nice carved turn in something like an Anas Acuta. A rudder is just another tool in the equipment arsenal. One that is failure prone so a backup plan needs to be available anytime I chose a boat with one. I've had the rudder fail on my surf ski. The stability decreases and steering becomes brutal. I can still get it home, it's just a lot more work. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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