As I am the only active member of this tribe, let me speak for all tribe members. Being aware of paddle technique can cover almost all of your ruddering needs. In my opinion it enhances your experience without the rudder because, part of the technique is learning how to lean as well as handle the paddle. This combination can be most helpful for handling yourself in situations where you expect to use the rudder when you "really need it".


Of course it is my opinion and of course some one will argue. However, if you are paddling around for fun and do not have a repertoire of techniques, that rudder comes in handy with currents and wind. After you take a class and understand paddling and flipping etc. You may see that the rudder would tend to clip your experience and actually act as a drag for some things you wish to do.

Of course I speak for the tribe.

The rudder does seem like it is cool and gives your feet something to do. But if you want to impress other people, paddle with out it, or with out one.

i'll be active.....i have 2 folbots without rudders & 2 folbots with. i love them all, but usually paddle on one w/out. i agree that for the most part ruddering simply gives feet something to do (and it's kinda fun to have such control @ your toe-tips), but using your oar to steer is waaaaaaaaaaay cooler & better exercise.....go rudderless.

I'm not big on rudders myself. However it should be said that the Pygmie kayaks that I use all have pretty good chines so that you don't really need a rudder. A skeg is useful though, or a sliding seat like the Mariner's.

For me, I really enjoy paddling without the rudder in smaller boats or in very calm water. However, my wife and I spend most of our time in the open ocean in 16-17ft boats. In this situation, having a rudder is invaluable merely for keeping your course and not having to fight current.

I've been Sea Kayaking about 10 years now. My first boat (Necky Looksha Sport - 14.5') I got a rudder assuming I needed one in wind/wave conditions to stop weathercocking. In fact, I found I almost never used it . Leaning and corrective strokes give you all the turning power you need, and the non-moving foot pedals give contact with the hull, which is the primary way to steer and "flow' with the hull and sea.

On my second boat (Impex 18') I got a skeg. I play in relatively big stuff (sometimes up to 30 kt winds and five foot seas) and even in those ocnditions a skeg is fine for correcting weathercocking and leaves me with solid contact with the boat - a necessity in the bigger stuff. I find my ruddered boat increases weathercocking because I keep the rudder up and it tends to catch wind and push the bow upwind.

In less demanding conditions (the majority of my paddling) a rudder is almost never needed once you learn leaning turns and good paddle technigue. A skeg takes all the weathercocking out and lets you move with the sea.