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| Most kayaks 11 feet and longer can be outfitted with either a rudder or skeg. Both a rudder and a skeg serve the same general purpose, to control the tracking of the kayak. A rudder has the added advantage of also allowing assistance in steering and/or crabbing to the wind. (Tracking is the ability of the kayak to move straight through the water versus wandering left and right as you paddle.) |
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| Why would I want a rudder? Are you paddling in larger open waters where the wind affects you or are you paddling in places where there is a current or a tide that you have to work with or against? A rudder can be useful in all of these circumstances. In a pushing current the rudder can help control your drift like when you are floating down a river or paddling in a tidal area. |
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| The biggest benefit by far for a rudder is when you are paddling across a current or a wind. A rudder gives you the ability to 'crab' to the wind, meaning that you turn the rudder to counter the winds push on the kayak. This allows you to paddle with normal strokes versus multiple strokes on one side of the kayak to correct for the wind thereby allowing you to maintain your momentum, making you more efficient. |
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| Still not sure if a rudder is for you or not? This is never quite as easy to answer in a few paragraphs but we are happy to understand the use of the kayak or planned use and recommend a rudder or not for you. Email us and we will help you out. |
