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Re: do I need a rudder?
By:Jay Babina
Date: 9/4/2001, 2:42 pm
In Response To: do I need a rudder? (Charlie Lesh)

Here's an alternative you can try. How about a keel strip about 3 ft long that tapers from nothing to about 1 1/2 inches. About a half inch wide tapered to a blunt (V). You can hot melt glue it on for trials and carve it down to get something that feels good to you. Then you can do a permanant installation - epoxy etc. No rudder or skeg complications and It may solve your problems easily.
I really dislike no tracking. I've been paddling for years and I fixed a Greenland skin boat this way. When I first tried it, it was all over the place on a following sea. I spent more time correcting and ruddering than paddling. A simple keel addition changed it into a different animal.

Even brand new paddlers can paddle a kayak that takes care of them. I see it all the time in tour groups that have tracking hulls with no rudders.

Messages In This Thread

do I need a rudder?
Charlie Lesh -- 9/4/2001, 9:05 am
Thanks
Charlie Lesh -- 9/5/2001, 11:23 am
Re: do I need a rudder?
Pete Notman -- 9/4/2001, 5:46 pm
Re: do I need a rudder?
Jerry Siegel -- 9/4/2001, 4:27 pm
Re: do I need a rudder?
pete c -- 9/5/2001, 4:35 am
Re: do I need a rudder?
Jay Babina -- 9/4/2001, 2:42 pm
Re: do I need a rudder?
pete c -- 9/4/2001, 11:46 am
Re: do I need a rudder?
LeeG -- 9/4/2001, 9:38 am