Rudder or not.

 I will hopefully be buying my new yak in about 4 weeks (fingers crossed), and I am still debating on if I need a rudder or not.
  So I was hoping that some of you that have some experience with or with out a rudder could give me some input. Are they worth the money? Will I be fighting to stay on a line if I don't have one?

 My main attraction to Kayak fishing is being out on the big blue....just thought I would put that in there in-case it makes a difference.

Jesse

What brand/model are you looking into getting?  Different yaks handle differently.  Personally I've only needed my rudder a couple times in really heavy wind, but I like to drift and use my feet to steer sometimes.  I've paddled a friends kayak that was a home built woodstrip, and it needed a rudder bad, the slightest wind would cause me to weathercock pretty bad.  BTW these are both SIK, and I've yet to get my yak in the ocean...  I'd read lots of reviews and see what people say about rudders/skegs on the specific models you are looking at.

Generally I find that the longer boats need the rudders more so than the shorter boats.  My personal cutoff is about 13-14 ft.  The longer boats track better (stay straight while paddling) in the water but are subsequently less maneuverable which is were the rudder comes in handy for times when wind and currents are veering you off course.

Brian

FWIW I am new to kayaking this year and have a Prowler 13 w/o a rudder and don't see a need for it.  I have yet to hit open water, but Lake Washington chop gets pretty bad during warm summer days.  In my case I'd say it may be a case of ignorance is bliss since I have no idea what I may, or may not, be missing with a rudder.  From all the research I did prior to taking the leap the rudder question really depends on the yak and personal preference.  

It may be helpful if you share your short list of yaks you are considering...

Where I doing mostly  ocean fishing, and fishing from a really salty kayak (like an OK Trident 15 or something similar), I'd go for the rudder.  Biggest advantage will be in maintaining a straight course over long distances without tiring yourself out by having to do lots of extra steering strokes. 

I don't have a rudder on either of my boats (OK Big Game and Prowler 13).

But you could always skip it on the initial purchase, try the boat out a few times, then decide whether to add one or not.

I have always had rudders on my SI kayaks, and the hobie pedal-drive boats  need it. 
   The rudder will let you steer with your feet and paddle with your arms, a crosswind  with current makes it a real PITA to have to steer by stroking heavily on one side or making constant correction; that gets old REAL fast.
   That said, if you're getting a sit-in boat, one that has narrow bow stem and hard chines will track better without the rudder, and let's face it---sometimes rudder cables break, components fail, if if your yak  tracks poorly without the rudder/skeg, you can be in a world of hurt---or worse.  I had an Easy Rider Eskimo for a couple weeks back in the day when I was doing multiweek wilderness trips, it was a beautifully laid-up highend boat but totally dependent on the rudder so I sold it off and bought a Cadence that tracked well sans rudder.  I LOVE the Hobie Mirage pedal drive, hands free to hold rod, camera, book etc. 
   Bottom line---better to have it and use it when you feel the need, than to need it and not have it.  The only downside is a little drag or hanging up in kelp, and the slight extra cost. And maybe a little less pure looking lines....rudders on mahogany Pygmy yaks look awful.

..rudders on mahogany Pygmy yaks look awful.

True.. and unnecessary, at least for the Coho model that I have.  It is a straight tracker.

Rob.

I've tried a few with rudders and for what I like they don't work well (in rivers plugging and diver/bait).  With that said, the only time I'd think I'd want one is on a longer yak where I'm planning to cover distance (touring).

Greg

What KT said!

Z

OOops---forgot about the river rats!!  The need for rudder and trackability is much less in the river situation.  The Easy Rider yaks are essentially roundhull ,no chine boats developed for manuverability in rivers and  equipped with rudders for open water paddling.  In the river, shorter is better, too.  My bad....

 I guess I should have mentioned what kayak I plan on getting in the original post. Unless I find a great deal on a used yak in the next four weeks, I plan on buying either a OK prowler 13 or a trident 15. I keep going back and forth between the two.
 Having said that, if any one has any usefull info on one of those two yaks that might sway me I am open for in put. The 13 is easier to pack, but the 15 can pack more......is there much else to it? 

I think you'll also find the Trident 13 is a bit faster and a drier ride than the Prowler 13. If you haven't already, you should see about trying them both out before you buy.

Brian

Two words: Rod Pod.  I sincerely wish I had one on my Prowler 13.  OK listened in on my thoughts apparently and they will have them on the Trident 13 for '09.  Aside from that difference I wouldn't trade my P13 for anything right now.  Check out this thread for more about it- http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,1279.0.html

I'd actually bet the Prowler 13 is going to be a little faster than the Trident 13... the new Trident has a slightly wider hull.

I have a Prowler 13.  The attribute I like best about it is its agility... it turns well in response to paddle strokes, and if you are comfortable leaning it on edge a bit you can really toss it around.  It still tracks pretty well with just the built in skegs and no rudder.  My saltwater paddling with it is fairly limited (just a couple hours around Sunset Bay), but it did ok.  It is also reasonably fast (for a fishing kayak).

I haven't paddled a Trident 15, but have gotten to talk to the owner and of one and paddle along side him for a bit.  Right now it is the Cadillac of paddle-powered fishing kayaks, with lots of bells and whistles.  Little wider, little roomier than the Prowler, two feet longer (meaning it probably glides better and will maintain speed easier over long distances), lots of neat fishing features (rod pod, sonar shield, etc...)  It is a much saltier boat than the Prowler 13, as the Trident seems to have been designed from the get-go for use in larger bays and in the ocean.

If you can wait a few months, there will be Trident 13's and 11's joining the family, with different hull designs but similar features to the Trident 15.

Biggest deciding factor for me would be price.  I got a Prowler 13 from Sportsman's Warehouse for $650, Tridents seem to run $1000 and up.

Right now it is the Cadillac of paddle-powered fishing kayaks

Sorry, the Malibu X-Factor owns that moniker.

Z