Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Just got a Tilley hat

I've only ever seen rudders on divorce kayaks (otherwise known as tandem kayaks).

On the other hand, a rudder could be useful if your stroke is much harder on one side than the other -- or if you've only got one arm.

I've heard that term about tandem kayaks before. Like every time tandem kayaks get brought up.

Speaking of kayaks, does anyone have any experience with building one? Pygmy Boats offer kits that have caught my eye and look relatively easy to build.

I have never built one. I assisted a couple of evenings on my neighbors cedar strip. Cedar strip kayaks take true dedication but are a work of art when finished. Almost too nice to use but they work great.

I have seen lots of friends "Stitch and Glue" constructions like the Pygmy kits. Despite the less than romantic name of this construction style, if done right and a lot of care goes into the details, you actually get a very beautiful wooden boat out of it.

Most I have seen were made via courses that the people took but I have seen at least one Pygmy kit and it was a pretty nice boat. Pygmy have been in the business forever and well respected so I would have confidence in their kits although I have no personal experience.

The only drawback is that buying a kit is kind of like buying a speaker without hearing it first. A kayak choice can be a very personal thing with so many designs, lengths and cockpit fits.

Try to find a kit that will suit your paddling style & intentions.....Day trips vs. camping, big waves vs. flat water or an all-rounder, fits your body type, primary vs. secondary stability, tracking vs. agility, etc.

Do a bit of research into the style and design you want before and you will have a boat that not only is perfect for you but you will have made it yourself and will look great. Wooden boats are always eye catching and everybody always comes closer to check them out.

When the industry first started going mainstream in North America, most everything was longer touring models and rudders were the norm. I suspect builders knew that most of their clientele were new to the sport and most purchases were being made by outfitters and touring companies who were trying to make it as easy as possible for people to get out there. Now, a skeg is certainly more the norm and some have nothing at all.

Pretty much everyone has a stronger stroke on one side or the other. If the look of keeping your strokes evenly timed on each side is important to you (it does look nicer,) then the proper technique is to use a bit more of an outward sweep on one side to balance things up. This is also the best way to negate the effects of a cross wind without losing your pace.

I'm actually not one of those old crusty rubber-booters who frowns on a rudder though. Whatever it takes to get you out there and enjoying yourself is a good thing.

My first boat, (that I could never bring myself to sell or trade)is a 1995 Seaward Quest and it actually has a rudder. However, I never use it. I keep it bungeed down because it's older style mechanism was bad to fling the rudder out if you had to roll. Trying to roll up with this big fin fighting against you is very tough. I keep it in working order though for guests and surprise hurricanes.

Thanks Andrew, I really appreciate the input. I'm looking for a small, all-rounder for day trips. Plus, my car, a two door coupe, won't be able to handle a longer sea kayak on the roof.

It's been too long since I've been paddling--like 15+ years. And even that was with rentals and what not. The itch to get back to it has never left me, though.

Okay, I probably should check out local rentals and get back into it that way. My goal is to have a kayak to go sightseeing with, you know, take the camera out and snap some pics. There is something about being out on the water that is very zen-like.

Wait, wait. There's enough water in one place in Arizona to float a boat?

The non-coastal state with the largest per capita boat ownership.

There's my apartment complex pool. It's heated.


But, then again, everything's heated out here.

That's because we are waiting for California to finally fall off into the Pacific. We are mostly beach, already, we just need the ocean.