Hi Earl, I have to agree with your viewpoint. A lot of people really use a rudder too much--it becomes a crutch. However, when there are quartering winds and seas that don't want you to get from Point A to Point B, a rudder is certainly a handy tool.

How about becoming a proficient kayaker and then put the rudder on--then you've got the best of both worlds!

70? Why you've still got 30 or 40 years of paddling left!!

Shawn Who hopes to be paddling well into his 90's!

: This week I developed a firm opinion about a rudder for myself. I have built
: a Great Auk and have put a rudder on it. I have read the pro and con
: arguments on these boards now for some time and it comes down to this for
: me. If one wants to go out to paddle a kayak and the goal is to learn the
: various strokes and become a very proficient kayaker then leave the rudder
: off. If one wants to get out on the water and go to places and enjoy what
: they see and where they go and don't care about becoming a
: "proficient" kayaker then put a rudder on. I took such a trip
: this week and enjoyed the beauty of Hoods Canal in Puget Sound. On the way
: back I was paddling into a strong head/quartering wind for several miles
: and I'm very very glad I didn't have to worry about the direction I was
: going because it took all the paddling I could muster just to make enough
: headway to get back. Now I'm 70 years old so all I'm interested in
: learning is enough basic kayaking skills to get from point A to point B if
: the rudder fails. I want to enjoy the water. You younger folks may have a
: different view of what is important. Earl