[Paddlewise] The Narrow Way (was Rudders redux)

> Wow, I wish I had bought a scorecard for this discussion, I get a little
> confused, but am enjoying the dialog.
Snip
> I also appreciate Matt, John etal for providing the debate. Seems like 
> this
> storm got a little to big for even Doug to stay in! :)
>
> Mark Sanders

The only thing true about the rudder debate is it's an endless one. Try and 
refute that big bro! :-)

Me? Rudders make kayaking easier. This is the Truth. There are many who will 
oppose the Truth, and do so eternally; yes, I say even forever. They claim 
the perfect kayak doesn't need a rudder, though some add a skeg and skeg 
like appendages. Why? Oh yeah, to track better. Don't need no stinking 
rudder? They claim that this is The Truth.  Thus, not having a rudder will 
set you free. This is the Truth...their Truth, setting you free indeed. And 
indeed, it would. But, the perfect kayak does not exist. Now that _is_ 
truth - universal, absolute, beyond doubt.

Wisdom. Ah wisdom. Now wisdom dictates that truth is never black and white 
in actual practice. Maybe a well designed rudder system is the perfect 
adjunctive appendage, then again, claimants to the contrary for rudder use 
say they never need a rudder. They have the perfect kayak. Maybe then these 
are the Enlightened Ones. They are _few_. Even their website says this is 
so, so this must be true. The road truly is narrow, no?

However, my somewhat ecumenical leanings serve me well, if not my 
anti-weatherhelm hull turn leanings: see, I don't use my rudder when I don't 
want to and I do use my rudder when I do want to. I use it sometimes when I 
don't need it and sometimes don't use it when I would, well, "benefit" from 
its use. My path is wide, my choices only limited by the effort I'm willing 
to expend. And my path can be very narrow when tracking. Usually a little 
easier with the rudder. Another amen.

Doug Lloyd
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