Re: [Paddlewise] Skeg Jammers

Elias Ross <genman_at_noderunner.net> asked:
>>>>>>I'm building a double kayak that will probably need a rudder sometime
soon.  I was thinking of installing this rudder system.  Does it seem
like the foot pedals or rails were a little bit flexible or weak?<<<<<<

Unless Seal line has a much bigger rudder blade that is suitable for a
double (that I don't know about yet) you will probably find their rudder
blade far too small for a double kayak. I'd look for a rudder designed for a
double that has a much bigger (longer and wider) blade.
Seal Line has had some problems with the foot pedals holding up but I know
they have fixed at least some of them. Recently someone was telling me that
they had broken several of the height adjustable plates so I'd be wary about
getting that option unless you know you are getting the latest version and
that it has addressed those breakage problems. BTW, I applaud Seal Line for
making a foot pedal system that at least addresses the "no solid pedals to
get leg power into your stroke" problem that plagues most rudder systems.

Adding to my previous Skeg Jammer post:
When I used to race sea kayaks regularly I always hoped that the water would
be as rough as it could be (but without the race getting cancelled). Rougher
water was always a big advantage for me, I especially liked steep following
seas or strong side winds. I never used a rudder or an adjustable skeg. Go
figure.
I recall one race around Shaw Island where a strong competitor in a fast
ruddered kayak was trying to draft me but was having a hard time because he
was zigzagging back and forth so bad back there he couldn't stay in the
sweet spot. Before he dropped back he commented that he just couldn't
believe how straight my kayak was going through that rough chop without a
rudder when he couldn't keep his kayak going straight with the help of his
rudder (and I was even knocking down some of the chop for him and would have
much preferred being the drafter rather than the draftee--oops, am I getting
a little too political for Paddlewise here?). He didn't realize that there
cannot be much subtlety when using a rudder for control. I call them delayed
feedback over-control devices.

A skeg not only helps balance the wind water couple to prevent weather
cocking it also makes the kayak harder to turn. This can be a disadvantage
for a skilled paddler when in tricky conditions that they could adapt to
quickly given a relatively neutral but more maneuverable kayak. One of the
more frustrating kayaks for me in following seas was the Nordkapp HM (the
long straight fin keeled one). It was so stiff tracking (read hard to turn)
that when it started to broach even just a little there was no correcting it
without hard (braking) reverse strokes that would cause one to loose the
free ride.  Better than suddenly skidding sideways down the wave as many
kayaks do, I guess, on the anxiety chart anyway, but even though the broach
was relatively slow it was frustrating none the less. More skeg isn't always
the best solution in this condition but if the kayak's hull is such that
with the skeg up you risk a sudden skidding broach then skeg down and slow
broach is probably the better choice.

The old Baidarka Explorer with its long V keel was a very good kayak in
following seas. When that hull was resurrected again as the Sirius and a
skeg was added I had the chance to try it again in a steep following sea. I
guess the skeg was just for side winds. In a following sea with the skeg
down I was reminded of the Nordkapp HM. I thought the best skeg position for
a following sea in the Sirius was fully retracted. While still a pretty
stiff tracking kayak it was somewhat more maneuverable and therefore easier
to control (given a little skill on the paddler's part anyway).

Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com
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