Rudder

Rudders are controversial for a number of reasons. There is nothing inherently wrong with a rudder, but there is something wrong with needing a rudder. If a kayak is difficult to control without a rudder, it is a dangerous boat. While it may seem that adding a rudder to a kayak to aid with control is a simple thing, if that rudder breaks, it leaves the paddler helpless. Therefore, it is important to realize that a kayak should never need a rudder.

If you paddle a kayak for the first time, make sure that you test it in windy and rough conditions. If the kayak is virtually uncontrollable without the rudder, do not buy that kayak. There are many kayaks that have rudders that can be paddled relatively comfortably without them, even in difficult conditions.

If a kayak can be handled without a rudder, then using a rudder to aid with extreme conditions is fine. Remember that a rudder is best used as a trim tab to correct for wind or currents and not used as a steering device. Steering should be done with the paddle. There are exceptions, of course. If you are sailing your kayak, a rudder is very useful for steering. If you are in a double kayak, especially if your partner is inexperienced, a rudder makes a big difference with steering.

A rudder is controlled with a pair of foot pedals. A set of cables run from the top of the rudder into the cockpit and attach to the foot pedals. There are two types of foot pedals in use.

One common type have a sliding rail with footpegs on them. The two footpegs on either side of the kayak slide fore and aft opposite to each other. Pushing one side turns the rudder and causes the opposite footpeg to retract. The kayak turns to the side that the footpeg is pushed forward.

The other type is often called the gas pedal footpegs. The footpegs are fixed in position and do not slide. Instead, they are pivoted so that the top of one pedal can be pressed forward to tension the steering cable. These pedals have a number of advantages, notably that they provide for solid foot bracing under all conditions, including cable breakage or when your other foot slips off the pedal.

Since rudders are relatively easy to break, it is important to retract the rudder in shallow water. Spare bolts, nuts and cable are good items to carry in your repair kit if you have a rudder on your boat. Keep the rudder mechanism clean and in good repair. Sand often gets into the rudder mechanism and can cause it to tighten or even jam. Make sure that the lines used to deploy and retract the rudder are in good repair and replace them every couple of years as part of routine maintenance. Inspect the stainless steel cables as well and replace them if they appear to have been damaged in any way.