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rudders
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rudders [2025/08/02 15:29] pstureavley |
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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 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. | + | * **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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