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Smarttrack Rudder Kit - Rear Mount - Product Reviews
Return to Smarttrack Rudder Kit - Rear Mount Product Details.
Price: $219.00
Description: Smarttrack combines fixed foot pegs with movable rudder pedals. Allows you use a rudder without giving up rigid foot braces, essential for solid bracing in a performance kayak. May require optional tubing kit.
Customer Rating: 3.9 of 5
Customer Reviews
| Reviewer: | Dan | Rating: 3 | Date: 05/08/2012 |
| Review: | Ordered the tubing with the rudder kit, so no issues there. However, my rudder kit came with the old wedgies, instead of the newer ones, so the unsheathed wire cables did not lock in place. If I had not researched the issue online, I never would have known what the problem was. Austin Kayak put me in touch with the distributor, but it was actually their fault for packaging the old components with the new cables. Received the new wedgies direct from the distributor, but lost a great weekend for kayaking. Austin gave me a 20% discount coupon for my troubles, but Im still disappointed by the experience. Overall, installation went smoothly. I did a rear mount custom install on a Heritage Featherlite 12 and used some YouTube videos for guidance on cable placement and drilling. Unfortunately, I havent had a chance to take her out since. | ||
| Reviewer: | Michael | Rating: 5 | Date: 04/29/2012 |
| Review: | Living in Australia, I bought the complete system and a few extras to complete the construction of the Steve Killing designed Reliance kayak. A big double kayak, my main concern was the load placed on the rudder and stern when executing a turn. So my research all lead to me selecting the Smart track system. The service from Austin Canoe and Kayaks was swift and all parts arrived complete and well packed. I will write another review once I have finished the kayak and tried the system on open water. | ||
| Reviewer: | Alan | Rating: 4 | Date: 11/26/2011 |
| Review: | Cable kit is minus tubeing,which is required? Not advised of this when purchasing! Had to obtain later. This is sure a well built item. Minimal instruction included, tho assy straightforward. Rudder tracks should have method for securing from outside,without need for vertical adjustment, which secures from behind. Rudder retract cord, should have a smoother route thru top of rudder securing pin. Cord will wear there. I will fit a fishing rod line guide there. All in all, great build/value. Stiil building so una to report on performance. As my kayak's a double, expect good results. | ||
| Reviewer: | John Guha | Rating: 3 | Date: 07/02/2011 |
| Review: | Great system if only sent without confusing instructions and parts that fit together differently than the stated instructions; also, I have a WS Tsunami and the wrong metal bracket was send; hence, causing the system to get dislodged off the kayak on the first day, and requiring creative remodifications to fix. But when it is working, it is awesome. Just needs fine-tuning, more attention to details of parts and instructions, and better matching of parts to individual brands/models of kayaks. | ||
| Reviewer: | MetroMan | Rating: 4 | Date: 10/28/2010 |
| Review: | The kit is great. Installation was not too difficult after studying the instructions prior to ordering. I have a Mad River Canoe Synergy 14 (Sit on top, hybrid). My kit was missing a couple of small components (cotter pin, cleat, and the little ball that does on the end of the rudder cord), but AK shipped them out quickly...along with a free t-shirt. A couple things of note: -For a sit on top kayak you will need the "Vertical Adjustment Kit". I didn't see this mentioned anywhere prior to purchase. I found this out after receiving my kit...staring at the pieces...staring at the kayak...drinking a beer...then staring some more. I called them up and they explained it to me. -For a sit on top, you will need the rudder tubing kit. I found this out while doing preliminary research. The kit is very good, but would be GREAT if they included the rudder tubing. Why not include it if its an essential part? Would you buy a car without wheels? Also, if the Vertical Adjustment Kit is needed for Sit on top kayaks, why not publish that information? After installation, the kit works great. A simple flex of the toes operates the rudder in each direction. With the rudder being spring loaded, deployement is really effortless. | ||
| Reviewer: | Peter Hood | Rating: 4 | Date: 09/09/2010 |
| Review: | Very good quality. | ||
| Reviewer: | Pete Collins | Rating: 2 | Date: 01/28/2010 |
| Review: | The rudder kit arrived as pictured, but they don't include a cable housing that is critical for the proper installation of the rudder and control system. It cost me another week of waiting for my boat to worked on and another $20.00 in parts. Smart track is a great system and I don't mind paying the money, but why not tell me up front? | ||
| Reviewer: | Rodney Nancarrow | Rating: 5 | Date: 04/16/2008 |
| Review: | I purchased the Smarttrack Rudder kit for my wood strip Laughing Loon Panache. The Panache is a straight tracking boat that I only had difficulty with weather cocking in stronger cross winds and choppy conditions but it was enough for me to finally concede that a rudder was required. A considerable amount of time was spent researching rudders and I eventually decided on the Smarttrack system. It is quite different to others on the market with a smaller blade area and a vertical out of use position. When I first saw the blade I was concerned it would not be big enough. I have now had a chance to trial the system and I am very surprised at how responsive the boat is to just a slight tap of the toe. Installation was made easy by the inclusion of all the required hardware in the kit but also by the exceptional engineering quality. The cable attachment system using a wedge design was a delight to use and feels very secure. Congratulations to the designer. | ||
| Reviewer: | Gary Jean | Rating: 5 | Date: 01/14/2008 |
| Review: | I installed the SmartTrack Rudder Kit on my Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140. In addition to the Rudder Kit, I needed the Tubing Kit and I opted for the Vertical Adjustment Kit. My boat was rudderless, but came prepped for a rudder with screws in the stern to attach the rudder mount and "frog eyes" molded into the deck that just needed holes drilled for the rudder control cables. The installation was very straight-forward. I spent about six hours over three evenings on it. A good part of that time was spent admiring my handiwork. The next one I install (on my wife's boat) will take about two hours. The kit is almost complete as delivered. I bought a tube of Permatex thread-locker for the rudder mount bolts. The Tsunami does not use lock nuts on these bolts, so I wanted to be sure the bolts would not work themselves loose. I also bought a tube of marine sealant. I squeezed a bit on the rear bulkhead where the control cables pass through, and put a dab on the "frog eyes" as well. One tip not stated in the instructions: Use a butane lighter to melt the end of the control cable tubing where it exits the stern at the "frog eyes." With a bit of flame, the tubing will melt and form a rounded end with a "flange" that prevents the tubing from being pulled into the boat. Another tip: Don't cut all the excess control cable off at the rudder and don't melt the heat-shrink tubing until you've completed a test-paddle. I needed to fine-tune the position of the control pedals for comfort after an initial short paddle. Once adjusted for comfort and correct operation, you can cut the excess cable. The vertical adjustment kit is optional unless the bolt spacing for the foot pegs on your boat is not 14.5 inches (which it is on the Tsunami). I'm a smaller than average guy with size 8 feet. The vertical adjustment kit allowed me to mount the pegs lower for more comfortable operation of the control pedals. If you are not sure that you need it, you can easily add it later. I had one question about the installation that Peter at ACK answered immediately. His advice before and after my purchase was spot-on. I was anxious to see how the rudder worked in a real sea-trial, so, with a forecast of 70 degree temps in January, I headed from my home in Alexandria, Va to the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. I paddled for two beautiful days in the tidal creeks and in the open water of Tangier Sound with winds up to 20 knots and seas of 2-3 feet. The boat tracked beautifully with wind from any direction. Pre-rudder, I would have needed continuous carving and sweep strokes to maintain a heading with strong quartering winds from the rear. The SmartTrack allowed me to maintain my heading with normal forward strokes. This was much less tiring and much more enjoyable. Unlike most rudders that stow flat on the deck, the SmartTrack stows in a vertical position. This is part of what makes the SmartTrack a more efficient design than other rudders. However, this design also leaves the rudder vulnerable to rear impact. You need to remember that the rudder is hanging out there if you're floating backwards into a piling or some rocks. The SmartTrack is an elegantly engineered design. All components are top quality and are obviously built to last. Installation is a piece of cake with a few hand tools and a drill. After using the SmartTrack for a few weeks, I can't think of any way it could be improved. Inclusion of small tubes of thread-locker and sealant would be a nice touch to make the kit 100% complete. I give the SmartTrack two thumbs up. Gary Jean Alexandria, Va January 2008 | ||
