What is the use of rudder in sea kayakking, when can I use the rudder and when I should not use the rudder?

Question

hello

I am beginner in sea kayaking and preparing for a coastal kayak expedition (600km) for conservation of dugongs and coastal ecosystems in janury 2007. I have NO kayak school in my region, so i am practicing kayaking and rolling on myself using internet lessons.

So, I have some simple questions like this, please answer...

Have a nice day

Answer 1

When choosing our kayaks my wife and I considered boats with a rudder, no rudder and a skeg ... and decided the rudder was a disadvantage, and a skeg worth the cost and weight.

The problem with a rudder (at least for my wife and I, who both had the same conclusion) was that it seemed to be unecessary and interfere with stability (vs fixed food pads). It also adds complexity, cost and weight.

To understand, consider a kayak with no rudder. Our kayaks have adjustable foot braces where rudder pedals would be. These allow one to brace to improve leverage when paddling. However, with a rudder you loose this ... and don't gain much since you don't need a rudder to steer ... that is what the paddle is for.  Variations in paddle stroke provide all the steering you need under most conditions.

A rudder is really about helping to controlling direction and go straight in a crossswind or current. Enter the Skeg ... a fin that can be lowered near the stern.

We have found that in calm conditions or when maneuverability is needed a skeg is unnecessary or detrimental and we leave it undeployed. But in cross sea or wind conditions where you want to maintain a steady course a skeg is very useful since it reduces the effort required to control the boat and allows (almost) all the effort to go into propulsion. A skeg, unlike a rudder is hidden inside the kayak when retracted, so is less vulnerable than a rudder.

See the link below for a discussion ... and have a look at the rest of the site for other hints / instruction.

Hope this helps ... and happy paddling!

Answer 2

to steer