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| Different rudder types provide improved performance for certain conditions while typically giving away something in another aspect of performance or handling. There are also some hybrids or crossover rudders that are in-between the main styles listed below, as you will notice if you look at what Epic now offers for their surfskis. | Different rudder types provide improved performance for certain conditions while typically giving away something in another aspect of performance or handling. There are also some hybrids or crossover rudders that are in-between the main styles listed below, as you will notice if you look at what Epic now offers for their surfskis. | ||
| - | * **Epic Kayaks** **Rudders** - [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/surfski-rudders-why-we-use-them-and-which-one-is-best-for-you|Epic Rudder Types, Recommended Use And Setup]] (includes chart of Epic rudder shaft lengths at end of article) | + | * **Epic ****Kayaks ****Rudders** - [[https://www.epickayaks.com/post/surfski-rudders-why-we-use-them-and-which-one-is-best-for-you|Epic Rudder Types, Recommended Use And Setup]] (includes chart of Epic rudder shaft lengths at end of article) |
| * **Surf **- typically larger, designed to provide more control on wave faces so one can turn better and at sharper angles without losing control (broaching). Don Kiesling (custom rudder maker) reports that going beyond some size limit starts to contribute to handling quirkiness and diminished control. 9"-10" is usually about as long as most surfski surfing rudders go. | * **Surf **- typically larger, designed to provide more control on wave faces so one can turn better and at sharper angles without losing control (broaching). Don Kiesling (custom rudder maker) reports that going beyond some size limit starts to contribute to handling quirkiness and diminished control. 9"-10" is usually about as long as most surfski surfing rudders go. | ||
| - | * **Weedless** - more swept back (more rake) to allow weeds to slide off, larger ones can provide some surfing control while still being less likely to keep weeds, but less steering control than the same size rudder with less rake. | + | * **Weedless** - more swept back (more rake) to allow weeds to slide off, larger ones can provide some surfing control while still being less likely to keep weeds, but less steering control than the same size rudder with less rake. Some brands offer more than one size, including longer ones that do not give up as much surfing control with the weed shedding slope. |
| * **Weed Guards** - [[:modifications#weed_guards|Weed guards]] are typically either built-in to boat or small glue-ons (or tape-ons) that go directly in front of rudder to prevent catching of weeds, particularly in the gap between the rudder and boat. The spacing between guard and rudder has to allow for full turn of rudder. | * **Weed Guards** - [[:modifications#weed_guards|Weed guards]] are typically either built-in to boat or small glue-ons (or tape-ons) that go directly in front of rudder to prevent catching of weeds, particularly in the gap between the rudder and boat. The spacing between guard and rudder has to allow for full turn of rudder. | ||
| * **Postage Stamp** - small rudders 4" long or less, meant primarily for flat water. Typically these don't have a lot of turning power. See [[:rudders#rudders1|DIY shortened rudder mod]] below. | * **Postage Stamp** - small rudders 4" long or less, meant primarily for flat water. Typically these don't have a lot of turning power. See [[:rudders#rudders1|DIY shortened rudder mod]] below. | ||
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| ==== Rudders ==== | ==== Rudders ==== | ||
| - | * **Your Boat Manufacturer** - Sometimes you can buy rudders for your boat from the [[:surfskis#manufacturers|manufacturers website]] and for some brands you have to buy from a distributor of your brand of surfski or OC. | + | * **Your Boat Manufacturer** - Sometimes you can buy rudders for your boat from the [[:ski_makers|manufacturers website]] and for some brands you have to buy from a distributor of your brand of surfski or OC. |
| * **Custom Rudders** | * **Custom Rudders** | ||
| - | * **Don Kiesling (DK Rudders) -** in Hood River, OR makes custom rudders (plastic or plastic core with carbon fiber skin) for many different brands of surfski. Tiny to supersize. Hollow stainless steel shaft. Usually quite prompt to build and ship unless he's off paddling. Quality is professional grade. Cost is competitive with boat manufacturer's rudders. | + | * **Don Kiesling (DK Rudders) -** in Hood River, OR makes **custom rudders** (plastic or plastic core with carbon fiber skin) for many different brands of surfski. Tiny to supersize including "weedless" options. Hollow stainless steel shaft. Usually quite prompt to build and ship unless he's off paddling. Quality is professional grade. Cost is competitive with boat manufacturer's rudders. Around 2024-25 Don added a number of** new color options**, inquire if interested. |
| - | * email: surfski@gmail.com | + | * email: **surfski@gmail.com** |
| - | * [[https://www.orkapaddles.com/orka-products/rudders/|Orka]] South Africa. On the main rudder page they say they need the rudder shaft measurement. On order page for specific rudders they ask for make and model of surfski. We do not know how many different brands/models they cover. You will have to ask about your specific surfski. | + | * Most paddlers are very happy with Don's rudders and give him high marks on customer support and responsiveness. Admittedly, not all DK rudders will work equally well for all different surfskis and paddling conditions, but sometimes that is just a matter of sorting out what styles, lengths, etc. work better for you. [[https://surfski.info/forum/2-announcements/20379-dk-rudders.html|DK rudder discussion on surfski.info]] |
| + | * Some expert surfskiers theorize that some average surfskiers get large rudders and overuse them or rely on them too much, essentially reducing their stability or progress in surfing. Keep your mind open and keep experimenting - something to consider if a new rudder doesn't seem to deliver for you instantly. | ||
| + | * [[https://tsunamirangers.com/2023/06/05/meet-the-rangers-dandy-downwind-don/|Don's paddling background]] | ||
| + | * **[[https://www.orkapaddles.com/orka-products/rudders/|Orka]] South Africa**. On the main rudder page they say they need the rudder shaft measurement. On order page for specific rudders they ask for make and model of surfski. We do not know how many different brands/models they cover. You will have to ask about your specific surfski. | ||
| * **DIY modification** | * **DIY modification** | ||
| - | * **Shorter Rudder** if you have a large rudder that is extra or one you don't particular like or use, you can experiment with making it a shorter rudder and possibly derive one that is faster for flat water but has more turning power than typical small/short rudders, because yours will have more horizontal surface area. | + | * **Shorter Rudder** if you have a large rudder that is extra or one you don't particular like or use, you can experiment with making it a shorter rudder and possibly derive one that is faster for flat water but has more turning power than typical small/short rudders, because yours will have more surface area than a typical short rudder. |
| <WRAP indent><WRAP centeralign> | <WRAP indent><WRAP centeralign> | ||
| - | {{:equipment:rudders:cutrudder.jpg?direct&450x339|cutrudder.jpg}} | + | {{:equipment:rudders:cutrudder.jpg?direct&520x392|cutrudder.jpg}} |
| **DIY Cut Short Rudder ** (click to enlarge) the boat patch is from a longer rudder running into something and being driven into the surfski | **DIY Cut Short Rudder ** (click to enlarge) the boat patch is from a longer rudder running into something and being driven into the surfski | ||
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| * See [[:modifications#weed_guards|Weed Guards]] under Modifications | * See [[:modifications#weed_guards|Weed Guards]] under Modifications | ||
| + | * … | ||
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| + | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
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| + | **Weeds at the 2025 Gorge Champs finish** | ||
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| + | (Hard to tell, but both of these rudders in the photos below (click to enlarge) may be surfing rudders rather than "weedless" and with only minimal weed guards (if any) present ). For most of the 2025 race weeds were not a big problem, but depending on rudder/weed deflector setups and the route taken right at the end of the race there definitely was potential for weed accumulation as can be seen from these photos at the end of the race. | ||
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| + | </WRAP> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
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| + | <WRAP col2> | ||
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| + | {{:equipment:rudders:weeds1.jpg?direct&300x255|weeds1.jpg}} | ||
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| + | {{:equipment:rudders:weeds2.jpg?direct&300x151|weeds2.jpg}} | ||
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| + | </WRAP> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||
| </WRAP></WRAP> | </WRAP></WRAP> | ||
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