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

dmr · 06-05-2008, 01:56 PM

Not so fun occasionally untangling spectra, performance/convenience makes the trade off worth it IMHO. Also make sure your crimps, twists, or whatever holds your cables are sound. Breaking one on the water sucks and may have you paddling in circles.

kenishere · 06-06-2008, 06:52 PM

sound like a great addition to the x/f. any recommendations on which rudder systems work best? ary they easy to install?

dgax65 · 06-06-2008, 08:26 PM

OEX sells the Crack of Dawn rudder for the X-Factor.
http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...ounting/Detail

I've got a FeatherCraft on my X-Factor and I'm very happy with it.
http://kayakfishingstuff.com/Merchan...oduct_Code=FCR

mg2969 · 06-06-2008, 09:28 PM

On the times when the pedals have failed or the pedals were in the shop. Paddling I always keep the rudder down.
Definitely agree that it tracks way better which obviously results in less course corrections.

Craig jones · 06-07-2008, 04:14 PM

I often back the Extreme in when landing in surf, as it is much easier to control, the flat bow has the boyancy of a log, so it goes into waves with more control. I wonder if the rudder is going to survive, as the tail of the yac occasionally strikes bottom.

dgax65 · 06-07-2008, 06:20 PM

You should definitely pull up the rudder if you back in through the surf. The last thing you want to do is jam the rudder and strip out the threads for the mounting bolts. The Feather Craft rudder is aluminum and it can handle scraping the sand on a forward landing. I don't think I'd try that with a plastic rudder.

You don't really need the rudder once the wave starts lifting your stern. At that point the wave overcomes whatever rudder control you might have. If you leave the rudder down, the best thing to do is just center the rudder and control by bracing.

06-06-2008, 06:52 PM	#2
kenishere Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 19	sound like a great addition to the x/f. any recommendations on which rudder systems work best? ary they easy to install? __________________ ----------- ---Ken--- ----------- rolling in the surf is a speciality enjoyed more by the onlookers

06-06-2008, 08:26 PM	#3
dgax65 Guerro Grande Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 629	OEX sells the Crack of Dawn rudder for the X-Factor. http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...ounting/Detail I've got a FeatherCraft on my X-Factor and I'm very happy with it. http://kayakfishingstuff.com/Merchan...oduct_Code=FCR __________________ Douglas Gaxiola Team No Fish- Amateur Staff

06-06-2008, 09:28 PM	#4
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	On the times when the pedals have failed or the pedals were in the shop. Paddling I always keep the rudder down. Definitely agree that it tracks way better which obviously results in less course corrections. __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands

06-07-2008, 04:14 PM	#5
Craig jones Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 27	Backing in landings I often back the Extreme in when landing in surf, as it is much easier to control, the flat bow has the boyancy of a log, so it goes into waves with more control. I wonder if the rudder is going to survive, as the tail of the yac occasionally strikes bottom.

06-07-2008, 06:20 PM	#6
dgax65 Guerro Grande Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 629	You should definitely pull up the rudder if you back in through the surf. The last thing you want to do is jam the rudder and strip out the threads for the mounting bolts. The Feather Craft rudder is aluminum and it can handle scraping the sand on a forward landing. I don't think I'd try that with a plastic rudder. You don't really need the rudder once the wave starts lifting your stern. At that point the wave overcomes whatever rudder control you might have. If you leave the rudder down, the best thing to do is just center the rudder and control by bracing. __________________ Douglas Gaxiola Team No Fish- Amateur Staff

06-05-2008, 01:56 PM	#1
dmr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 155	Not so fun occasionally untangling spectra, performance/convenience makes the trade off worth it IMHO. Also make sure your crimps, twists, or whatever holds your cables are sound. Breaking one on the water sucks and may have you paddling in circles.