no pro/con rudder discussion
Posted by: gjf12
on Nov-01-12 12:43 PM (EST)
I did not intend this discussion to be pro/con on rudders. Rather, assuming one is using a rudder, whether to deploy it or not in difficult but necessary surf landings.
In particular, is the risk of damaging a deployed rudder compensated by an increase in safety margin for landing in one piece? I further presume one is using a relatively long and relatively straight tracking sea kayak.
I do add, however, that Bill Taylor in "Commitment and Open Crossing" advocated and used a rudder in his Britain circumnavigation, and Jon Turk uses one on adventures described in "Cold Oceans". I realize that there are counter examples also, e.g., O'Blenis and Sean Morley around Vancouver Island.