Rudders on Stealths....anyone doing it? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

BrokeLoser · 03-17-2011, 03:57 PM

I've seen a few people that have put a rudder on a Stealth but it seems most aren't bothering with it.
I ask because I can get one relatively cheap from a buddy.

dgax65 · 03-17-2011, 09:05 PM

With a good length to beam ratio, the hull channels and pronounced keel, the Stealth 14 tracks fairly well. The rudder isn't a necessity, but it definitely helps in a crosswind. I have used a rudder on all of my kayaks and the Stealth 14 was no exception. Unfortunately, the molded recesses for the side hatches make routing the rudder cables difficult. I heard that Malibu was working on some fixes for this, but I don't know what has been done so far.

I used some 1.8mm Dyneema dinghy line instead of the stainless steel rudder cable that came with the rudder. I would have used the Dyneema line regardless of the cable routing arrangement. I have found that it is superior to the SS cable in all respects. Using the Dyneem line allows you to pull the slack rudder cables out of the way so you can access the side hatches.

It definitely isn't the most desirable set up, but it was the best I could come up with, given the design of the hull. Make sure you have some sort of bungee retention cord on the forward end of the rudder pedal slide to keep it from sliding out.

BrokeLoser · 03-19-2011, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the info.
At this point I think I'll shy away from getting one. I'm sure I'll change my mind once I get caught in a gnarly cross wind.

03-17-2011, 03:57 PM	#1
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	Rudders on Stealths....anyone doing it? I've seen a few people that have put a rudder on a Stealth but it seems most aren't bothering with it. I ask because I can get one relatively cheap from a buddy.

03-17-2011, 09:05 PM	#2
dgax65 Guerro Grande Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 629	With a good length to beam ratio, the hull channels and pronounced keel, the Stealth 14 tracks fairly well. The rudder isn't a necessity, but it definitely helps in a crosswind. I have used a rudder on all of my kayaks and the Stealth 14 was no exception. Unfortunately, the molded recesses for the side hatches make routing the rudder cables difficult. I heard that Malibu was working on some fixes for this, but I don't know what has been done so far. I used some 1.8mm Dyneema dinghy line instead of the stainless steel rudder cable that came with the rudder. I would have used the Dyneema line regardless of the cable routing arrangement. I have found that it is superior to the SS cable in all respects. Using the Dyneem line allows you to pull the slack rudder cables out of the way so you can access the side hatches. It definitely isn't the most desirable set up, but it was the best I could come up with, given the design of the hull. Make sure you have some sort of bungee retention cord on the forward end of the rudder pedal slide to keep it from sliding out. __________________ Douglas Gaxiola Team No Fish- Amateur Staff

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03-19-2011, 04:00 PM	#3
BrokeLoser Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 472	Thanks for the info. At this point I think I'll shy away from getting one. I'm sure I'll change my mind once I get caught in a gnarly cross wind.