rawprawn
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Registered: 07-2005
Location: Central Coast
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With or without rudder
Most of my kayaking experience has been on rudderless yaks. Now I'm going to get a new yak for fishing on open water and I want to be sure I get the right one first time. I took friends rudderd yak for a paddle the other week and confess to finding it difficult to get used to and stay tracking in a constant direction without constantly adjusting the pedals.
My concern is that in the long term (ie when I do get used to it) the ruddered model may have it’s advantages.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages (apart from the $300 price increase) of ruddered vs non ruddered?
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Greg
Central Coast
NSW
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26/Jul/2005, 1:00 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: With or without rudder
Hi Greg,
Advantages:
1).. No need for energy-sapping course correcting strokes to maintain a steady heading in tough conditions like side winds etc.
2).. No need for energy-sapping course correcting strokes to maintain a steady heading if the kayak has poor straight-line tracking.
3).. The rudder can be used to control the kayak's heading & lay when drifting.
4).. Makes for easier tight turning.
Generally...
1).. The longer the kayak the better it will track but the harder it is to turn so a rudder helps with the turning.
2).. A kayak with more rocker will turn easier but will be harder to keep on a straight course than one with less rocker, so the rudder helps it maintain tracking.
I have heard it put this way..."You mightn't NEED to go out with that stunning blonde who is 10 years younger than you & owns a brewery but if you had the chance why wouldn't you".
I don't feel a rudder is usually necessary in kayaks < 4.0m but for longer boats it's cerainly worthwhile & given the sort of conditions on the water you'll be fishing I'd suggest it would be a good thing to have.
You will become more framiliar with the feel of a rudder the more you use it. Some rudders use fixed footrests & steer with hinged pedals (which I find better) while others use slider-style pedals. You may find one system works better for you than the other.
Just my opinion...
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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26/Jul/2005, 1:41 pm
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rawprawn
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Re: With or without rudder
Thanks Phil as usual a great help. I've been researching a lot in the last 12 hours and I think I've narrowed my choices down to the Prowler 15, Scupper Pro and the Swing. Based on what you are saying the prowler and the Scupper may be best with a rudder system.
Greg
Central Coast NSW
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Greg
Central Coast
NSW
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26/Jul/2005, 2:25 pm
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The Mariner
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Re: With or without rudder
No worries  The P15 & Scupper would be much better with a rudder but the Swing, being shorter & lower to the waterline can get away without one.
Yak Man traded in his Swing for a P15 and Shoei just sold his Scupper for a Swing so they'd be a good source of comparative information. Maybe send them both a PM...
Last edited by The Mariner, 26/Jul/2005, 3:13 pm
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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26/Jul/2005, 2:59 pm
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