Rudder issue

[Yellow Submarine]

Ok, this has been churning around in my head for several days.
I understand the purpose for a rudder is not to steer with but to stay straight when wind can force you to headup into to the wind. If I had a stationary rudder it would be difficult to turn, but if raised, it could be easily steered with a paddle.
It would be simple to build a simple padeyebase with a swinging rudder blade mounted and can be easily raised with a pull on a chord to steer.
OR, Maybe a floating rudder that remains up untill lowered via chord, when the wind blows.
I just think the steering mechanism is just a waist of time, when a few different paddle strokes can point your yak in almost any direction.
OR, Maybe a small blade w/cork that can be inserted a scupper hole to help you in the wind to stay straight.
Feedback welcome...

[Where Y'ak?]

Check out this article, it may give you some insight and/or ideas on the pros/cons of a rudder.

I have a pedal drive so I have to have a rudder. I've never used one on a paddle yak so I can't comment one way or another.

http://www.topkayaker.net/Articles/Instruction/RudderUse.html

[LuvDaTigers]

I use my rudder to steer. Yeah, technically it's keeping the kayak straight, but when I want the kayak to go straight in another direction, then I use the rudder to turn the straightness of the kayak to that direction. Now I'm going straight again, only in the direction that I want. And I can do this without adjusting my paddle strokes.
To rudder or not to rudder has been hashed out for years. There's a bit of purism about rudders. Purists don't feel like they need or want rudders. Then there are folks that have never owned a boat with a rudder then after using a yak with a rudder for a few trips state that they would never go back to a rudderless yak. And then there are folks that bought a rudder on their first kayak and probably wouldn't get a yak without a rudder. None of them are wrong and none right. Though most folks that have a rudder on their kayak, or have used one for an extended time rarely go back to a boat without a rudder. Sort of like the microwave oven way back when. We didn't need one, but once we started using it we can't live without one. (I'm sure I'm dating myself with that analogy though)

Do you NEED a rudder? Probably not. But they're awfully convenient. They make controlling a drift a breeze, no pun intended. They also make paddling against a 45 deg wind more effecient. Certainly not easy, but if you're paddling against a quartering wind with a rudderless yak, you'll find yourself paddling too many strokes on one side, do that for a mile or three then you'll appreciate having a rudder for sure.

Personally, I prefer to have a rudder. My tarpon has one, my ultimate does not. I'd like to rig one on my ultimate but need to solve some issues when the boat is set for tandem use.

[Shankapotomus]

"Ok, this has been churning around in my head for several days.
I understand the purpose for a rudder is not to steer with but to stay straight when wind can force you to headup into to the wind."

I disagree with this statement. I fished without a rudder for a while and then installed one myself. Not only does it make a huge diference with fighting cross and/or head wind, but it makes steering a breeze (no pun intended). I dont have to adjust my paddle strokes to steer. I simply adjust my rudder, keep paddling, and let the boat do the work.

I never want to paddle without a rudder again. For me, it was a huge improvement, but then again I have not been doing this for very long.

[Cobia 1]

The purpose of a rudder is to steer. It will help you on windy days and when the current is running. If the wind is behind or quartering, you can fish a shoreline by using the rudder. You can paddle across the wind with the aid of the rudder.
One word of caution, a rudder will make you a lazy paddler!! Learn to paddle properly first, then add the rudder it is great.
Another trick if you are "weathervaning" is to add weight to the bow of the boat, this somewhat reduces the weathervaning.
However, when all else fails and you realize that yu only fish 1/3 of the time, drnk the Kool-Aid and buy the peddals!!!!!

[Yellow Submarine]

When I was 13 My cousin Calvin bought a styrofoam sailboat we use to carry it 8 blocks to the lakes edge. Toss it in the water and sail almost to the old turnaround on the causeway bridge and we would fall off and run over each other in it without a pfd or anything. Whitecaps and lighting we still sailed like we were mariners of the oceans of the world. Its amazing we are both still here and not at the bottom of the lake, Totally fearless and stupid by todays standards. I've paddled the entire Bogue Chitto River from way near Summit, Miss. to Pearl River. 9 days of paddleing in 3 separate trips back in 1969. There were few days we paddled from Sun-up to Sun-down. I'm grown accustomed to a paddle and I can't shake it loose. I have a Heavy Hobie but I'm Selling it tomorrow, It's just not for me, I tried. I installed a Rudder on my Ocean Prowler15 and it works fine but It still want to do J-strokes and paddle on one side, Draw strokes and swooches, I am olschool and I can't help it. Today I wear a pdf, I am improving with age.

[Joker]

I thought about installing a fixed rudder, or really like a surf board fin. What are yall thoughts on that? Well that help the boat track better in windy conditions

[Shankapotomus]

That is what the keel on a sailboat does (I think). It should do the same thing.

[Yak-a-Lou]

A fixed rudder should certainly help with tracking however it seems that it would be a notable hindrance to maneuverability in the twisting turning trenasses in the interior of the marsh. With a "fixed" rudder I'd also be worried about re-tractability. I often have to retract my rudder when I find myself is ultra-shallow waters. I wouldn't do it. I'd either get a proper rudder or do without. I did without for several years and caught a lot of fish without a rudder.

[marshdaddy]

If you ever have to paddle a Magic 14.5 in the wind, you will get a rudder. It will make you cry.

[Yellow Submarine]

If you ever have to paddle a Magic 14.5 in the wind, you will get a rudder. It will make you cry.

The Magic 14.5 is really a high-bred canoe with high gunnels the wind has a big bite compared to a normal kayak. Kayaks get knocked around too but not as much as a canoe. Doesn't the Magic have a retractable keel blade to help it track?

[marshdaddy]

Doesn't the Magic have a retractable keel blade to help it track?
Only after you buy one.

[Cobia 1]

A keel on a sailboat is for ballast! The rudder will defintely help the performance of the yak, but learn to paddle first to really appreciate the rudder.
A rudder changed an Xfactor from a barge to a pleasure to paddle, then I sipped the kool-aid, oedal, pedal, pedal, pedal, pedal.

[revredfish]

I've never used a rudder - so I don't miss it. Money is the key for me - I'm cheap - real cheap (helps to be poor too). I've survived over 4 years of kayak fishing without one. Think I'll make it at least one more. I would rather spend my limited bucks on tackle. It has nothing to do with being a purist either. If I suddenly had a few hundred bucks I might buy one (or I'd save it towards my next prowler big game - lol).

[Yellow Submarine]

Yes Cobia you are so right, Keels are often weighted and used for Ballast. I totally understand about the koolaid thing too. I am much more comfortable using my upper body after having a broken hip, So I will still relish the paddle stroke. I will probably add a rudder later, not sure what type yet. I like the idea of coming up with my own ideas and building it. Sometimes we have a need to be creative.

[Psycho Joe]

Sometimes we have a need to be creative.

Oh great...another one of these guys!!!