Can you put a rudder on a kayak

This can be helpful if you want to use specific rudder kits that may require additional parts. However, you may be able to purchase the extra parts separately to help you install it on non-rudder ready kayaks. You could also get creative and custom make your own mount. Attach your rudder mounting bracket to the stern of your kayak. Make sure the screws are tight once you have the bracket in place. Attach the rudder to the mounting bracket. It should slide into the bracket so that you can then secure it using the lock ring underneath.

If your yak is rudder-ready you should already have the holes installed in the side of your vessel for this. Secure the lines into the drilled holes using the hardware that can allow the ropes to move freely. This is so that you can lift and deploy the rudder blade. Once the ropes are installed and are attached to the rudder, make sure that you can lift the blade up with one side of the rope and deploy it with the other.

The ropes should basically form an elongated loop from the rudder to the cockpit. The lifting line should be tight when the rudder is in the stowed position, then you can secure the line and then cut off the excess. If you already have foot braces on your kayak, you may need to uninstall them to reinstall them using the supplied hardware.

This is so that you can control the rudder using your foot pedals. Secure the cable to the relevant part of the rudder and feed it through the holes on the back of your kayak so that it comes through at the cockpit.

This line can then be secured to your foot brace pedal. Repeat the process for the other side of your kayak. Now that your lines are in place and connected to your foot pedals you can now tighten them up using the screws at the rudder, securing them and cutting off the excess line. Check to make sure that all your controls work and you should be good to go. To install a rudder on a trolling motor , you should wrap the clamps around the shaft of your trolling motor.

This should lock the rudder in place. A kayak rudder can be a useful tool when it comes to steering and maneuvering in strong winds and current. It can be particularly helpful in open water where you may need help keeping your boat heading in a straight line. Remember, not all situations will call for a rudder and not all kayaks will need one, especially if you tend to paddle in shallow rocky waters or in whitewater.

What are your thoughts on kayak rudders? Could you be without yours? Leave us a comment to let us know. It enables the base of the pedal to be fixed at a proper length for the individual paddler but the rudder cable is attached to a movable portion of the pedal enabling the paddler to have a solid foot hold and still be able to manipulate the rudder cable. This affords the paddler both solid foot bracing support and a movable rudder pedal.

Because of all the hardware and moving parts, a rudder system is more prone to damage and requires steady maintenance. Sand and other particles can jam movements, and blades can be dinged I had to straighten a metal rudder blade once by banging it back into shape with a fist-sized rock! Perhaps a more subtle but long-term negative about rudders is the over dependency by paddlers who use them to steer. Regardless of the virtues of a rudder, a foundation in solid paddling techniques should always be a priority.

Typically double kayaks use a rudder throughout the paddling activity. It's been my experience that this is due primarily to counter the paddler's "steering" mayhem in the forward cockpit!

A fixed skeg, one built into the keel of the boat is an integral part of that hull and the paddler will learn how to handle that craft accordingly. The skeg's altering affects on how the boat handles can be adjusted through experience to best compensate for those conditions. Because there is no lateral movement in a skeg, there is no need for movable foot braces so foot support is not compromised.

Like the rudder, adjustable skegs can become jammed due to sand and other particles. Also an adjustable skeg, when retracted, swings up into a sleeve inside the aft section of a kayak. That protrusion limits the stowage dimensions inside that compartment. Having a rudder on a kayak can be a convenient aid to maneuvering and during certain activities, actual steering.

It should be used to augment good paddling technique - never to replace it. If you opt to buy a kayak without a rudder, check to see if you can retrofit that model's rudder or install an after-market brand.

Some kayaks come with fittings, holes and channels already molded into the hull. You may have to measure and drill holes in the hull to outfit other hulls with a rudder assembly. As with other options, check out the rudder system before you buy. In essence, the bow rudder is a vertical paddle stroke where your paddle blade is planted as far forward as possible, some distance away from the side of the kayak but not too far, and with the blade twisted enough for the power face to face the incoming water.

To keep your balance when doing a bow rudder, you need to lean into the stroke. If you paddle forward and want to turn right, plant your right blade in the water. The incoming water will act on the blade and pull the bow of the kayak to the right. Keep your arms fairly straight and use your core muscles to hold the position while your kayak turns. When the kayak has turned as far you as you want it to go, simply twist the paddle blade in the water and continue with a forward stroke.

This combo stroke is extremely useful for dynamic moves in rapids. This is a very useful technique to steer most long, fast kayaks. By edging your kayak, the hull profile in relation to the movement of water is changed, causing the kayak to turn.

This method is not as effective in wide kayaks over 70cm wide as they are too buoyant to keep on edge, and it is also not very effective in narrow kayaks with a completely round hull.

But on most longer, narrower kayaks it is the most useful technique for steering your kayak without having to change your forward paddling motion. To edge your kayak, use your hips. If you paddle forward and want your kayak to turn to the right, tilt the kayak to the left. In other words, drop the left edge and raise the right edge.

Or put differently, lift your right bum. Keep this position while you keep paddling forward. Your kayak will take a slow turn to the right. Once it has turned enough, simply use your hips to level the kayak again.

Also, if you move at a descent speed, very little edging is actually needed to turn the boat. Some work better with a rudder system; others lend themselves better to skeg applications. We use cookies on this site to optimize site functionality and give you the best possible experience.

By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. Learn More. Skip to content. Paddling in a straight line — such a simple concept, yet so challenging for many new kayakers. Could a kayak rudder be the answer? Content Clickable. Kayak Tutorial Bow Rudder. How to Sea Kayak in Heavy Wind.