Is the whole purpose of the rudder on a kayak to turn quicker? Why does it cost like $100 more than a kayak w/o it?
Redfish,
From what I’ve read and what I’ve heard peeps say, a rudder is also helpful in tracking, as in having the ability to travel in a straight line, regardless of wind or current-to a reasonable degree. Some one correct me If I’m wrong, I’ve never paddled a boat w/ a rudder.
Give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day–Teach a man to fish, he might go hungry for a while.
It may be just for control. I know that if I try to steer my c/c with the trolling motor it is harder to control if the main engine is tilted up. Put the main engine down and steering is easier with the trolling motor.
fred
I have a couple of sea yaks both with rudders. I have had to navigate with out the rudder a couple of time and feel that they are worth their weight in gold. Once you get in the longer yaks like 16 or 17 feet like mine they don’t turn as easily with out rudders. I also have a white water boat and is very manuverable with no rudder but is also very short.
Here’s to good times and better friends.
Robert M. Williams Jr
SeaMonkey, you are right. A rudder is also quite useful when you have a big fish and you are trying to keep it in front of you; use the rudder to keep turning and keep her in front.
“Fishing and catching are two different things. Fishing is what I love; catching is a bonus.”–Papa, 1979
Rudders can be helpful while fighting fish but their purpose is to take some pressure off of your arms while paddling long distances. There aren’t necessary and should not be depended on. The rudder is usually the first thing to break…or atleast in my experiences. If you are just learning, definately go without the rudder. It may sound like more work, but the better you are at controlling your direction with your paddle strokes, the better yakker you will become…Good luck
Shote dogg
The question of using a rudder on a Sea Kayak…
The first consideration is not if you should buy a kayak with a rudder, but a question of how do you intend to use the kayak. If the answer includes fishing, then I highly/strongly recommend buying with a rudder. If the answer is that you will ONLY use the kayak for touring and distance paddling, then I just as strongly recommend NOT having a rudder. A kayak without the rudder is far more efficient and actually easier to handle in a chop or seas. Don’t get a rudder thinking that it is intended steer the boat. The paddle and angle of the boat is the primary control of direction… almost like a bicycle, you lean the boat to turn it. (lean the opposite way from how you lean a bicycle in a turn) If the kayak has a rudder, it is intended to be used much as the trim tabs on an airplane. The rudder allows you to adjust the angle of the boat relative to a cross current or wind when traveling long distance. In other words, set the rudder at a slight angle and leave it there as you paddle in a straight line. If you do not have a cross current or wind, retract the rudder! As Short Dogg points out, a rudder can become a crutch for those who have not developed the paddling skills to control their boat using the paddle and proper edging of the kayak. BUT, when fishing, I have found a rudder a necessity. Simply because I often do not have the paddle in my hand. When actually fishing, the paddle is either resting across the cockpit coaming, or floating alongside attached to its leash. In that situation I am unable to edge or lean the boat or execute a paddle brace turn. A rudder is vital when my hands are full of fishing rod. The rudder allows me set the drifting angle of my boat relative to wind, current, or even the pull of a fish. Of course, this gets into the old anchor or no anchor question… which to me is a question of where are you going to fish… My fishing is normally in skinny water or winding creeks, or narrow passages through the cypress and weeds. So,