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Kayaks and Rudders


PlasticFantastic

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Posted

Had my Viking Profish for a few months now and am getting the hang of things quite well, question is I bought it secondhand for a good price and it didn't have the rudder with it although all the provisions are there for it. The question i'm asking is how effective are they, if i'm travelling parallel to some pontoons casting larger bibbed lures the kayak has a habit of pulling the nose in as I retrieve the lure pulling my towards the pontoon. Would using the rudder prevent this? also when drifting with the wind and or current will the rudder fully steer the kayak or do you still need to control it with the paddle to some degree? Viking want a third of the price of what I paid for the yak for the rudder and i'm not keen to buy one if it's not that effective. Just after anyone's opinion on the matter.

Cheers

Mark

Posted

I've got a Malibu X-Factor so similar size yak to yours. I find the rudder invaluable! The difference between paddling with and without the rudder is like two completely different yaks. Drifting and paddling against any cross wind is dramatically better with the rudder. Get the rudder, it'll be one of the best purchase you make for your yak!

Posted

Have to agree, get the rudder.

It makes paddling much easier especially in cross wind situations and also very useful when drifting.

Unless you do a lot of paddling, you won't get the knack to automatically alter your paddle stroke to compensate for wind & wave directions.

Luc

Posted

Thanks for the heads up guys it looks like a rudder is what i'll be needing. The ProFish actually tracks pretty well in the wind and current but yeah you set up a perfect drift along some pontoons cast then adjust with paddle wind in two turns then adjust again with paddle wind blows readjust again you get the idea.

Cheers

Mark

Posted

I highly recommend one. Have used kayaks with and without, and when it is windy they are very usefull.

When in calm water without wind then it is no problem. When I drift in my Prowler in canals I use the rudder to steer with leaving my hands free to fish.

See the attached youtube link. I agree with everything this guy says.:)


/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB9ySXd9NYY

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