Re: [Paddlewise] Skeg Jammers

Peter T. posted (snip):
> Hello Doug, Thanks for this reply. I posed the question for two
reasons....Rudders snap cables, Skegs won't trim, Rudderless broaches,  You
might as well SWIM!"<

I do have a sail, and really appreciate the rudder when I'm sailing my
Nordkapp, which isn't very often. With the exception of a few good paddlers
(code words for Mainer Kayak kayakers :-)  ), I can usually out-perform
non-ruddered boats in 30 to 40 knot down-wind surfing rides. I retain full
rear-compartment storage with my rudder as opposed to a skeg box. I've
beefed up my cables since the incidents in my story, etc., so my only real
issue is the problems inherent with seal launching a ruddered kayak, so tend
to go stern first to avoid breakage. In really heavy following seas, the
waves can really push on the rudder, transferring the energy to the foot
pedals, requiring constant attention. This is a point often omitted in a
zealot's theological discourse. Some type of deck-mounted lock would be a
nice feature for holding a set course, though I do find the reality of a
dynamic ocean surface forces a paddler into certain zig-zag patterns for
best progress forward, even despite having a rudder, though the options
always seem better than a skegged boat that often finds its own best line
through the wind and waves (from what I've observed). The rudder does have
drag, and needs to be deep enough in the water in following seas.

You can't compare ruddered boats fairly with other non-ruddered performance
kayaks of a similar nature if you evaluate that ruddered boat with sliding
foot pedals. This has been mentioned before but, I add the emphasis. The
foot controls must be some type of butterfly style to fully appreciate a
ruddered boat, then make your comparisons. If I get a new boat, I'd probably
opt for a skegged one, and something with a chined hull. I've talked with
Nigel Foster on the side, and he's been with good paddlers in round-bilge
hulled kayaks that have wound up all over God's little half acre in fierce
tidal races and overfalls, while Nigel was able to effectively maintain full
directional control with minimum effort and a bit of body language skill
(none ruddered semi-round bilge-hulled kayaks, that is, compared to his
multi-chine). However, my shoulder tendonitis still makes a ruddered kayak a
more viable option when Mother Nature throws a tantrum, so I don't know.
There is no perfect compromise, though the neo-recreational/touring
promotion of recent times with an emphasis on boat control skills is
certainly called for to balance out mainstream rudder use.

It often comes down to the type of paddler you are (want to be) and say,
regional preferences. Certainly, a vast sea of ruddered kayak paddlers swarm
the sea's surface in kayaks like the Current Designs GT series, sans rudder,
and are perfectly happy and content. Likewise, there are hoards of hairy
performance paddlers with skegged kayaks, learning awesome boat handling and
proactive paddling techniques. And there are some who add skeggy bits of
appendage to their sterns to aid directional stability. The bottom line is
maintaining both static and dynamic boat stability as well as directional
stability while underway, are equal considerations not always given due
respect, the latter in particular with new buyers.

And for those rudder dependent individuals who loose rudder control due to
breakage on long crossings, well, thank the good Lord for the Coast Guard!
Beats swimming back to shore!

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC
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