I agree with Jay, but I think it is a mistake to let puristism (new word?) eliminate potentially good ideas from design innovation. If the Aleuts and Inuits had been purists they would have said, "Why, change the simple log. You sit on it and paddle. Why bother with relatively delicate ribs and seal skin?"

The kayak is much more complicated than sitting on a log, yet it is still a good idea. While a rudder increases the complexity, following that logic should put us back to straddling logs.

A rudder can provides a means to optimize other aspects of the kayak design for other purposes. You and I may not think that kayaks need improving, but then our desires for what a kayak should do are shaped by what kayaks can do. If we want boats that do something beyond what they already do, we might be more open to additions like rudders.

: Dave Houser pretty much hit it on the money. I'm a purist and admire the
: simple elegance and seaworthyness of the kayak. Yes, you can strap on a
: rudder, outrigger and sail. Somehow it deters from this simplicty that I
: admire. It's interesting in the latest Newfound catalog, there's not a
: rudder in there even on a double.

: The rudder was an immediate success by manufacturers who wanted to sell
: kayaks to people who could immediatly become comfortable in their kayak
: and ultimately - buy it. They added extra rocker so it would turn easy and
: the rudder so you could steer it. I just think there are less complicated
: and more aesthetically pleasing ways that keep the simplistic nature of
: the craft.