Rudder Installation on a P-13

Hey guys
Has anyone done a rudder install on any of the Trident series? My boat appears to have all the mounting holes already in place buy OK says I need a ton of tools .....

Any first hand advice before I spend 300 bucks on the kit.
Thanks,
~Bill

  good question i have been wondering about that myself. i have been doing aaaaaalot of trolling and the drag from the rigging seems to pull to the left. would a rudder correct this? or is a couple extra stroke an simpler solution?

  good question i have been wondering about that myself. i have been doing aaaaaalot of trolling and the drag from the rigging seems to pull to the left. would a rudder correct this? or is a couple extra stroke an simpler solution?

A rudder would correct this but installing one isn't exactly a simple task from what I understand.  An extra stroke or two on your rigging side is a much easier option.

I don't know about installing one since I ordered my T-15 with one they installed it for me.  What I can say is it seems to really help to offset the drag of fishing off one side.  I Think if I had to consistently double paddle on one side to go straight I would give up.  Also I have been in some windy and choppy weather and it is nice to keep up a good strong paddle pattern while still being able to go straight or where I want to steer to.

I've never actually done a rudder install, but here's the install manual straight from Ocean Kayak. Step by step directions with pictures:

http://www.oceankayak.com/product_support/downloads/prowler13_rudder.pdf

Hey guys
Has anyone done a rudder install on any of the Trident series? My boat appears to have all the mounting holes already in place buy OK says I need a ton of tools .....

Any first hand advice before I spend 300 bucks on the kit.
Thanks,
~Bill

you can accomplish the same thing with edging and it's free. edge the boat down on the right, it turns left, down on the left it turns right. this is how we hold a course in the wind with non rudder boats, and how we make 18ft sea kayaks turn without breaking out of our forward stroke. When CHM bought his tarpon from me, he asked the same thing about the rudder. I showed him edging and saved him $250 the rudder would have cost. I'm pretty sure he's still rudderless a year later. We sell 100 different types of kayaks and only 1 has a rudder. The rest are skegs or nothing. You don't need a rudder with proper paddling technique.

You don't need a rudder with proper paddling technique.

I agree but I think kayak fishers have different needs than a tourer.  For example boat control when you're not paddling. 

If you're casting you can't paddle.  I find the rudder most useful when I'm drifting, while casting at the bank and trying to remain a constant distance from it. 

It's also nice to have some control over where you're drifting during fights with larger fish.

Here's an even easier FREE way to kayak troll without needing any fancy kayak maneuvers.

Aim your rod straight out the front and paddle your yak backwards. 
You're already wanting to go slow for trolling, so it's not going to effect your intended speed.  It's also really easy to keep track of your "S" curves, as well as watch your rod tip. 

Unless you are trolling around other boats or something, it's not really an issue of not seeing where you are going either.   

he didn't really ask for a comparison between between paddling technigue and using a rudder. he asked how hard it would be to do an install.....

I've never installed one but it can't be impossible

he didn't really ask for a comparison between between paddling technigue and using a rudder. he asked how hard it would be to do an install.....

Kiwanda Jr asked if a rudder would correct the pull, or a couple of extra paddle strokes would.   

he didn't really ask for a comparison between between paddling technigue and using a rudder. he asked how hard it would be to do an install.....

Kiwanda Jr asked if a rudder would correct the pull, or a couple of extra paddle strokes would.   

but paddling backwards isn't gonna get FG's rudder installed...

a little touchy are we? Jesus fellas. Cool your jets.

he didn't really ask for a comparison between between paddling technigue and using a rudder. he asked how hard it would be to do an install.....

I've never installed one but it can't be impossible

Yes, but that is why he doesn't need a rudder.

You don't need a rudder with proper paddling technique.

I agree but I think kayak fishers have different needs than a tourer.  For example boat control when you're not paddling. 

If you're casting you can't paddle.  I find the rudder most useful when I'm drifting, while casting at the bank and trying to remain a constant distance from it. 

It's also nice to have some control over where you're drifting during fights with larger fish.

If you have enough momentum/current for a rudder to work, so will edging. edging is using your stern as a rudder.

not sure why you guys are apposed to technique....buy a motor, buy a rudder, I really don't care.

This past weekend I spent between 3 and 4 hours constantly trolling, only stopping to reel in the fish.  Edging for that long doesn't sound like an option to me.  Maybe that works for others, but I find a rudder to be a better solution.