RE: [Paddlewise] Re-thinking a rudder

> From: Steve Brown [mailto:steve_at_brown-web.net]
> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 8:57 AM
> Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Re-thinking a rudder
>
> You'll get strong opinions on this, including mine:
> I think rudders are a liability on kayak, with the possible exception of
> long doubles.
> Aside from the problems you mentioned of getting a swimmer on the stern
> deck, towing, and gear lashing, there are others:
> -They get in the way when trying to empty the boat on the beach
> -They are something on your friend's boat that can damage you boat or your
> boat when he gets surfed into you. I'm terrified of having a ruddered boat
> in a rock garden with me.
> -It encourages sloppy boat control technique unless you religiously avoid
> using it (So why have it?)
> -As another paddler pointed out, they add to stern windage, which further
> encourages their use in the wind
> -They break, and are most likely to break in the roughest conditions
> -They look ugly
> -I hate them (Hey, you asked)

Actually, I appreciate the forthright comments.

> What I didn't try with the SeaYak was moving the seat back, and frankly I
> can't even remember if that was possible. In most boats shifting
> the weight
> back can reduce weather cocking significantly, even to the point
> of inducing
> a weather vane condition if you load a heavy gear load too far
> astern (from
> your email it sound like you know that).

I recently removed the poorly designed backrest and replaced it with a WW
style IR band.  Much better.  The factory seat pan could be moved back
1.5-2" but better yet would be the construction of a custom seat/back/hip
pad assembly and forgo the factory pan altogether.  This would allow me to
vary the position up to 5" aft of the current location.  I'm going to remove
the pan tonight and place a 1/2" minicell square so I can experiment with
seat positions this weekend as the fall winds are here.

> I would check all this very carefully before removing it, including high
> cross wind with short fetch (no waves). The no wave situation can
> sometimes
> be much worse than the one you described.

Interesting you should mention the short fetch/cross wind scenario as I have
been puzzled by this at my small practice lake.  I was used to it when
paddling canoes but did not expect it in a kayak.

Since the time of icy waters is just around the corner here, I'm going to
leave the rudder in place as a safety device.  I can keep the rudder
buttoned up while I experiment with seat positions and get started on the
new seat construction.  The various photo sites displaying customised sea
kayak cockpits intrigue me and I want to try my hand at it.

My thanks to you and all others for the input.

Holmes
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