: Grant, any rudder designs you like? I've always like the ones on the Tsunami
: sit ons,,it would be cool if there was a retractable version of something
: like that.

Hi Lee,
Couldn't find a pic of the Tsunami rudder on their site, but my favourite would be the Quality Kayak system http://www.q-kayaks.co.nz/pages/fittings.asp (sea rudder) mainly because its easy to get here! The blade is rubbish and I soon changed it to a homemade higher aspect one which got rid of most of the drag problems. The mechinism and Ozo footrests are great. Despite the rafe reviews I do not like the sealine system. They are much too complicated for their purpose and the blade sticks up instead of laying on the deck when retracted. If I wanted to put a sail on yaks rear end, I would make one. Some more thoughts from myself and others are in the link below.

If I was making a ruddered kayak at the moment I would building it around a system where the whole blade flips over into the stern (there is a pic somewhere in this thread) to counter the windage problem, but after saying that - if the wind is strong enough to effect the kayak with the blade up then its time to drop it and make life easy for yourself.

Currently I'm retrofitting my Night Heron with a home made rudder. Yeap, I can hear the gasps of horror from the readers even over here!! Just please don't tell Nick The whole system is home made and I am planing to mount it with a pin through the top of the stern (like the Quality Kayak system) instead of hanging off the back to give it a bit more protection. Will post pics once its is completed.

Cheers
Grant