Your day started off so tranquilly but now the wind has picked up. Try as you might, your boat stern keeps skidding out from behind you. Again, you find yourself sitting in your brand new touring kayak, facing directly into the wind. Now is the time to learn how to use your kayak rudder.
The principles of using a kayak rudder are not terribly difficult. However, like any skill, employing them requires some practice.
To use your kayak rudder, first engage it in the water. If you want to turn left, push the left pedal. To turn right, push the right pedal. If you are trying to paddle straight but with a cross wind, adjust the rudder so that it offsets the sideways force of the wind. Also, be sure to raise your kayak rudder when launching, landing, or crossing shallow water.
Table of Contents
What is a kayak rudder and what does it do?
A kayak rudder is a blade that you install at the stern of your kayak.
It has two purposes: 1. To help you keep your kayak on course in difficult weather and strong currents, and 2. To assist you to turn your boat.
What is weather cocking? When being impacted by a crosswind, paddlers and their kayaks tend to gradually turn upwind. This can be frustrating, not to mention physically exhausting. We call this phenomena weathercocking.
Why does it happen?
As a kayak (or any other vessel for that matter) moves through the water, it creates pressure at the bow as well as the stern. The pressure created at the bow is typically greater than that which is created at the stern. The side-to-side pressure is usually equal so, under normal conditions, it isn’t too difficult to keep your kayak pointing straight ahead.
However, a cross-wind that accosts you from the side changes everything.
A cross-wind creates a lateral force that tries to push your kayak sideways. Because the pressure at the bow of your boat is greater than the pressure at the stern, the cross-wind impacts the bow less and the stern more.
In other words, a cross-wind blows the stern downwind more than the bow. This makes your kayak pivot such that the bow of your kayak points directly into the wind.
Waves also promote weather cocking. A strong cross-wind drives waves into the side of your boat that want to push it laterally. These waves encounter the same pressures at the bow and stern of your kayak. Higher pressure is at the bow and lower pressure is at the stern. The impact of the waves is the same as that of the wind – to swing the kayak stern further downwind than the bow. Again, this force pivots the kayak so that its bow ends up facing directly into the wind.
How to use your kayak rudder in cross-wind and waves
Kayak rudders are used to counteract the force of cross-winds and waves. Engaging a rudder in the water provides lateral resistance. This means that, as wind and waves try to drive the stern of your kayak further downwind, the rudder helps prevent it.
Ensure that you engage your rudder. For your kayak rudder to do its job, you must engage it in the water, not leave it on top of the kayak. (That’s not a newsflash to anyone.) To engage, your rudder, use the particular mechanism that is installed on your kayak. Often this is a knotted lift line made of either stainless steel or Spectra cord that runs the length of your kayak hull. Simply pull the appropriate knot to lower the rudder into the water.
Alternatively, your kayak might use some other mechanism such as a handle or lever to engage the rudder. Just make sure that the blade is in the water. (It’s kind of like confirming that you have plugged in your computer in before trying to actually use it.)
Mount the rudder pedals comfortably. The pedals (or pegs) that control the rudder direction mount on a rail. This rail allows for adjustment to accommodate the length of your legs. It also connects to a track that lets the pegs and rail freely slide forward and back, pulling the rudder cable in the process.
Press or pivot the pedals to adjust the rudder direction. Consider a situation where you are heading back to the bay where you plan to land your kayak. You are paddling east and a crosswind picks up from the ocean that tries to weathercock your boat. In other words, the force of the wind is trying to turn your boat to the left.
Remember, when using kayak pedals, push right to go right and push left to go left.
If the cross-wind is forcing your kayak to swing left, then push right on the pedal. This will position the rudder to offset the impact of the wind.
Pressing the rudder pedals engages the cables that run along the length of your kayak, and attach to the rudder blade.
How much you need to turn the rudder is something to assess in the moment. As you get comfortable operating your rudder you’ll develop a feel for how much rudder needs to be applied at any given moment.
**PRO-TIP: Avoid applying to much rudder. When you apply too much rudder, you risk redirecting the bow of your kayak downwind. If you are paddling close to a rocky shoreline, too much rudder could send you hurtling into the rocks. That ain’t fun.**
As you apply the appropriate amount of rudder, in the appropriate direction (otherwise your kayak will swivel into the wind like that teacup ride at the state fair) you will find that your kayak tracks straighter. Also, you’ll expend less energy than you otherwise would if you had to constantly correct the direction of your boat.
How to use a rudder to turn your kayak.
The principal use of a kayak rudder is to help you keep your boat straight while being assailed by a cross-wind and waves.
A secondary use is to make it easier to turn your kayak.
Manufacturers tend to build recreational kayaks in lengths below 13 feet. These are quite maneuverable (often excessively so when first starting out) and don’t require a rudder to turn.
Touring kayaks are longer, reaching between 14-18 feet in length. Surf skiis can get over 20 feet.
As kayaks get longer, their ability to track in a straight line improves. However, their ability to corner is compromised.
To use your rudder to turn your kayak, remember to push right to go right, and push left to go left. This can be helpful if you are trying to navigate tight corners in a long boat.
Do you really need a kayak rudder?
The answer to this question requires some thought.
Do you kayak in windy, wavy conditions? If you enjoy spending time on large bodies of water, then you may very well benefit from a kayak rudder.
The effect of a kayak rudder is to allow you to expend less energy correcting your boat from the impact of nuisance crosswinds. If your adventures eat up a lot of miles and take you well offshore, then a rudder could be an important safety feature.
If, however, you spend most of your time on rivers in a short, recreational kayak, it is hard to mount an argument for needing a kayak rudder.
Are you an experienced paddler? There is a camp of paddler purists who argue that kayak rudders are unnecessary and are only for the weak and inexperienced.
Be honest with yourself, are you an inexperienced paddler? There is no shame in it. However, if you haven’t mastered the basic kayak paddle strokes such that you can comfortably navigate a stiff cross-wind with confidence, then you might benefit from a kayak rudder.
Similarly, if your musculature is not necessarily what it used to be and the kayak strokes you take in 2020 are more taxing than the ones you took in 1999, then you might benefit from a kayak rudder.
What style of kayak do you use? Another historical argument against kayak rudders was that moving the pedals resulted in destabilizing the kayaker. To move the pedals of old rudder mechanisms, it was necessary to constantly adjust one’s leg angle. This served to reduce contact with the thigh brace pads. This is still a challenge to overcome with some rudder mechanisms. However, manufacturers now construct newer mechanisms with a peg that you pivot rather than a pedal that you push. This allows sit-in kayakers to operate a rudder while retaining better stability.
Sit-in kayaks are responsive to paddling techniques that help turn a kayak such as edging and leaning. Sit-on-top kayaks are less responsive to these techniques. So there is an argument to make that, at the margin, sit-on-top kayakers might enjoy incremental benefits of using a rudder.
Does your kayak already have a skeg? A skeg is a blade that houses in the bottom of your kayak. It can be engaged whenever needed to keep the back end of your kayak from skidding out due to a cross-wind.
Think of a skeg as a rudder that doesn’t change direction, like a fin. It is either engaged or it isn’t. Though less common than rudders, skegs can be found on some touring kayaks. The more your kayak wants to weathercock, the deeper you engage your skeg blade.
If your kayak is equipped with a skeg, using a rudder as well would be overkill (as well as quite heavy).
Rudders can be useful when fishing in a kayak. Sport fishermen hope to spend a great deal of their time reeling in fish rather than paddling around. Using a rudder on a fishing kayak allows the angler to point her kayak where she want it to go. Wind and flowing water, will not require constant course-correcting (with a paddle) while trying to fish.
What kind of kayak do you need in order to use a rudder?
Many touring and fishing kayaks are sold equipped with rudders. Other kayaks are constructed with a rudder mount so that, if the spirit moves you, you can have one installed.
Bear in mind that installing a rudder is one of the more expensive undertakings that you can do to your kayak. Assuming you can find qualified people to do the work, parts and labor will likely run you a few hundred dollars.
Alternatively, you can choose to DIY the project. Check out this YouTube video of a DIY rudder installation here.
What are the alternatives to using a rudder?
Most kayakers would agree that developing your kayak strokes is the best alternative to using a rudder.
Rudder blades break. If yours breaks while you are battling a nasty cross-wind, you will find yourself in a world of hurt. If you are lacking the necessary paddling skills, good luck getting where you want to go. A rudder (or skeg) should not be a replacement for adequate paddling skills.
Learn to carve and edge. Offset the impact of a cross-wind by edging your kayak. When battling a crosswind, alter the shape of your kayak’s waterline as it makes its way through the water.
For instance, if a cross-wind is threatening to swing your bow to the left, shift your weight onto your left buttock and lean your kayak in the same direction. This will pull your boat to the right sufficient to offset the leftward force of the wind.
Use paddle strokes to offset weathercocking. An alternative to edging (albeit a less efficient one) is to use paddle strokes to offset the impact of a cross-wind.
Consider the same cross-wind that is trying to swing your bow to the left. Use close, upright strokes on the downwind side (right-hand side) and low-angle sweep strokes on the upwind side (left-hand side).
The combination of edge control and paddling technique are not only rudder-alternatives, but must-have skills. They will help you spend enjoyable time on the water – even in challenging conditions.
(Diversity of) parting thoughts
Kayaks with rudders are harder to stack. If you decide to install rudders on your collection of touring kayaks, you will find them harder to stack. When the rudder is not in its downward position, it is stored on the upper stern of the kayak. Think of it like a rigid dorsal fin. On its own, it’s not a big deal. If you need to stack a bunch of kayaks, it may become problematic. You’ll need to get creative.
Rudders break when you need them most. A rudder is made up of moving parts. When you operate them under stress (which is really the only time you need a rudder), bad things can happen. This is one of the handful of common push-backs against the use of rudders.
Cables often break. Cables are usually constructed from stainless steel or Spectra cord. Saltwater corrodes the steel, resulting in weak points that eventually snap. Abrasion, usually from tight packing, wears down the Spectra cord. You can always repair or replace a cable. However, this is typically not a task to undertake floating on the ocean while being pelted by the proceeds of Hurricane Brunhilda.
Rudder blades bend. Sometimes you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Like a shallow rocky beach in a windstorm. The continuous onslaught of wind or a single rogue wave can send your kayak careening into the rocks. Rudder blades are weak from the side. If they collide with rocks, they are prone to either bend or snap right off, requiring that you hobble back home. If your kayaking is tracking towards a rocky rudder-grave, lift your blade!
Pegs and pedals untrack. It’s not like you’re riding a bike or anything, but when in stressful circumstances, you might push a little too hard on a pedal. This could either push it off the track, or break it entirely. This is not common, but that same time, it is not unheard of, either.
When you enter a surf zone, raise your rudder. A raised rudder will not drill into the ground. Furthermore, if a wave knocks you into the water and shoots your boat off like a missile, an unengaged rudder is less likely to damage that bystander who was cheering your wipeout. I wrote an article that is all about paddling in waves. Check it out here.
Rudder mechanisms are now constructed with improved pegs. Remember, one of the pushbacks against using a rudder is that engaging the foot pedals de-stabilizes the kayaker (particularly when using a sit-in kayak). Manufacturers now fabricate new rudder mechanisms with toe control pegs. This allows you to turn your rudder while still maintaining contact between your legs and kayak pads.
Learning how to use a kayak rudder can be useful when you get in a bind. It can help your kayak to track straight ahead, even as the wind and waves try to push you off course. However, a kayak rudder should be used as a supplement to proper paddling technique, not a replacement for it.
Despite what Bob Wiley opined in the film ‘What about Bob”, you can’t actually ‘let the boat do most of the work’.