Rudder or not to rudder? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

mclanea · 08-29-2014, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von_Vaughn

I have had an ocean trident and I just got the malibu xfactor. I am debating putting rudders on them. How does the forum feel about them? How much does it add? Worth the price?

I have the ocean kayak trident 13 with a rudder. I didn't think I'd use it but I find myself using it quite a bit. Last weekend my wife and I paddled 2-3 miles in the Coronado area, at one point we drifted for probably 20 minutes just to enjoy the scenery. I was able to control that drift... both kayaks together... for those 20 minutes with a few movements of the rudder. You can see it on this video at the 2:18 mark - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TyMGEV546w

alanw · 08-29-2014, 09:18 PM

X-factor drifts sideways, be nice to see if a rudder would be able to control the drift but kind of expensive just to find out. Don't really need it otherwise, although when the wind is really blowing it may help tracking some.

cowboybill · 08-31-2014, 06:12 PM

I paddled for a year without a rudder... and a year with a rudder... on a wilderness tarpon 160...

Get the rudder! In calm conditions, the rudder is a mild aid... But in the wind and against currents, the rudder really works well!

Note; serious kayakers recommend no rudder at first (it forces you to learn paddling!) and then adding a rudder as it adds efficiency for distance...

Extra note: In certain conditions a rudder becomes a crutch, or a false promise... coming in thru surf, the rudder does not work until too late, same with going down a river... A rudder needs water running against it to work... When a wave picks you up and you start moving down the wave... you and the water are moving at close to the same speed... The rudder is useless! ( I found this out the hard way!) After some practice, I always went rudder up and hit the brakes with the paddle which is not fun, but a lot safer on me and equipment!
Also, I paddled in Black Canyon, and noticed against the current, the rudder was amazing... down current the rudder was so so at best.

The beauty of a rudder is... you can leave it up!

Good luck!

Cowboybill

08-29-2014, 09:18 PM	#2
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	X-factor drifts sideways, be nice to see if a rudder would be able to control the drift but kind of expensive just to find out. Don't really need it otherwise, although when the wind is really blowing it may help tracking some. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

08-31-2014, 06:12 PM	#3
cowboybill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, CA Posts: 103	get the rudder! I paddled for a year without a rudder... and a year with a rudder... on a wilderness tarpon 160... Get the rudder! In calm conditions, the rudder is a mild aid... But in the wind and against currents, the rudder really works well! Note; serious kayakers recommend no rudder at first (it forces you to learn paddling!) and then adding a rudder as it adds efficiency for distance... Extra note: In certain conditions a rudder becomes a crutch, or a false promise... coming in thru surf, the rudder does not work until too late, same with going down a river... A rudder needs water running against it to work... When a wave picks you up and you start moving down the wave... you and the water are moving at close to the same speed... The rudder is useless! ( I found this out the hard way!) After some practice, I always went rudder up and hit the brakes with the paddle which is not fun, but a lot safer on me and equipment! Also, I paddled in Black Canyon, and noticed against the current, the rudder was amazing... down current the rudder was so so at best. The beauty of a rudder is... you can leave it up! Good luck! Cowboybill