Rudder or not to rudder? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

FISH11 · 08-29-2014, 05:52 PM

The X Factor tracks real good without one. Might only help on the drift. Not needed just one more thing to worry about, constantly adjusting aim and worry on landing if it's up and out of the way or one more thing to tangle and possibly break when (not if) you roll it in the surf once in a while.

Saba Slayer · 08-29-2014, 07:07 PM

IMHO...I would get a rudder. I paddled the Ocean Kayak brand for a number of years and I always thought that the rudder was a great addition to the longer yaks.
When the wind is blowing out of the West as you paddle back to King Harbor from PV...you get Gorilla arm on the right side from paddling harder and more often on that one side just to keep a straight course. With the rudder your feet do all the steering work and you can paddle with a more regular cadence.
Go for the rudder you won't be sorry. It's no harder to pull up than a rudder on any of the Hobies for surf landing.

08-29-2014, 05:52 PM	#1
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,643	Rudder The X Factor tracks real good without one. Might only help on the drift. Not needed just one more thing to worry about, constantly adjusting aim and worry on landing if it's up and out of the way or one more thing to tangle and possibly break when (not if) you roll it in the surf once in a while. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

08-29-2014, 07:07 PM	#2
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,871	Rudder or Not IMHO...I would get a rudder. I paddled the Ocean Kayak brand for a number of years and I always thought that the rudder was a great addition to the longer yaks. When the wind is blowing out of the West as you paddle back to King Harbor from PV...you get Gorilla arm on the right side from paddling harder and more often on that one side just to keep a straight course. With the rudder your feet do all the steering work and you can paddle with a more regular cadence. Go for the rudder you won't be sorry. It's no harder to pull up than a rudder on any of the Hobies for surf landing. __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer