I think people expect too much from a rudder. First it needs to be in the water. I’ve often had to come along side a paddler and release the bungee on the rudder so they can deploy it. Second the rudder has to have water moving by it to work. Thirdly it is for trim not for steering. Of course everybody has their favorites and their theories.
The statement, “Thirdly it [a rudder] is for trim not for steering.”, may be too rigid.
- A kayaker who is fishing in a stream may have his hands occupied and then use the rudder to steer.
- If I was coming into a dock I might use a rudder for gentle course corrections.
- I have seen even competent instructors teach beginners to use a rudder to steer.
The rudder is one of a kayaker’s tools and need not have forbidden uses. That’s just my personal take … my various kayaks have all been skeg boats so I can’t claim expertise with a rudder.
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Indeed. A partner and I once eddy-hopped against a 6-knot tidal stream in loaded boats using our rudders. It was not something we had ever been trained to do, but we tried it and it absolutely worked. Whatever works.
Sure and a Hobie peddle drive, a surf ski and a sailboat aren’t much good without a rudder to steer. But no class on paddling includes turning the boat with a rudder. Think more like an “elitist”. For most of us if you need a rudder to turn the boat you are not paddling , edging, or using waves/wind/ current effectively.
Use the rudder to trim the boat and take out that wind, incoming current, quartering wave input to the boat.
Speaking of surfski, we had a solid, consistent 22 mph west wind building to close to 30 mph as dusk approached. Its the first raging wind we’ve had in months! We had 4-5 foot, short period waves everywhere. 7’+ standouts. I rode a breaking wave downwind, but was 1/2 mile off shore. It was rowdy.
I’m very glad I had a massive DK rudder under me last night 
The bigger it gets, the more I love my rudder.
So 100 posts and 3000 views later I think the general sentiment is in small conditions, rudders are largely unnecessary. The bigger it gets, the better they look
Agreed. In the many classes I’ve taught, I’ve never once taught students to turn with a rudder. And I’ve never been taught that myself. But that’s the problem with curriculum: it tends to ossify into dogma. And one day you step outside the dogma-box and realize: “Huh, I guess it can work this way too.”
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