Rudder or Skeg for Kayaks: How to Decide

Bryan Hume Flatwater Kayaking
February 28th, 2022 9 minute read

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There is an age old debate as to whether a rudder or a skeg is a better option for a kayak.

Tracking and staying on course requires refined paddling technique. Wind, waves or perhaps water current can affect your paddling from point A to point B. Paddling in a straight course to your destination is not always easy but is certainly doable if you develop good paddling skills such as edging the kayak along with a variety of paddle strokes.

For extra assistance, adding a rudder or skeg can offer tracking assistance and is helpful on longer excursions. In this article we’ll discuss keeping your kayak pointed in a straight line, how a skeg or rudder can help, and pros and cons of each.

Rudder or Skeg for Kayaks

Weathercocking and Kayak Tracking
What is a Kayak Rudder?
How is a Kayak Rudder Helpful?
Kayak Rudder Pros
Kayak Rudder Cons
What is a Kayak Skeg?
How is a Kayak Skeg Helpful?
Kayak Skeg Pros
Kayak Skeg Cons
Bottom Line in Choosing a Kayak Rudder vs Skeg

Weathercocking and Kayak Tracking

First off, let’s consider how paddling conditions factor into things. Flatwater kayakers experience what is known as weathercocking. This occurs when wind is blowing toward the side of the kayak and causes the bow or nose of the kayak to continue turning into the wind.

Weathercocking affects tracking. Depending on the strength of the wind, it can take the paddler off course.

When the kayak is moving forward and water passes each side of the bow, it puts pressure on the sides of the hull, locking the bow of the kayak in place on the water.

Once the water flows past the widest point of the kayak (the cockpit), there is no longer water pressure pushing on the hull at the stern of the kayak. In windy conditions, the stern will be blown in the downwind direction, impacting tracking. Using a rudder or skeg is one way to manage this kind of paddling condition and maintain a steady direction.

If the kayak does not have a rudder or skeg, course correction is still possible. The paddler will need to continue to correct their course or direction using boat edging techniques where the upwind side of the kayak is edged into the water and the opposite or downwind side of the kayak lifted slightly out of the water.

Additionally, varied paddle strokes such as a stronger paddle stroke or using a corrective sweep stroke on the upwind side of the kayak will help keep the kayak going straight.

For long kayak trips where the paddler may be fighting with weathercocking, having a rudder or skeg to deploy offers directional support. This eases the physical demands on a paddler by not having to continually edge the kayak and make paddle stroke adjustment to stay on course.

The learn more, check out Understanding Weathercocking and Skegs.

What is a Kayak Rudder?

A rudder is a narrow blade that resembles a long fin and is mounted on the back deck of the kayak at the stern.

The paddler can lower or raise the rudder blade, positioning it in or out of the water using cords called hull lines that are typically located at the side of the cockpit. Cables run from the rudder to each foot peg in the front of the kayak. The paddler is able to move the rudder from side to side using the foot pedals/pegs which changes the angle of the rudder and affects how the water flows along the blade.

Rudder on Back Deck of Delta Kayak

Kayak Rudder Deployed

Rudder Pedals in Delta Kayak

How is a Kayak Rudder Helpful?

While a rudder is capable of steering a kayak one direction or another, the purpose of the rudder is to set the kayak at an appropriate angle and allow it to compensate for the paddling condition such as wind, waves and current.

This way, the paddler can maintain a straight course and not have to edge the kayak or continually use a variety of paddle strokes such as the sweep stroke to maintain a straight course.

Kayak Rudder Pros

Once deployed, a rudder is easily adjustable to manage varied wind challenges during the trip.
Rudders make turning the kayak easier without needing to edge the boat.
Rudders help set the paddling course and allow the paddler to focus their energy on paddling forward without needing to use course correcting paddle strokes.
Gas pedal rudder controls combine both rudder control and a foot peg bracing.
Rudder systems do not take up any storage room in the rear hatch compartment.

Kayak Rudder Cons

Depending on the type of rudder control foot pedal, movement of the foot pedals to control the rudder may decrease the feeling of bracing stability on the foot peg.
There are a number of moving parts, cables and lines to deploy and adjust the rudder which can makes rudder systems more prone to mechanical failure.
Rudder systems require more maintenance to keep the cables and other parts moving freely
In high waves conditions where the stern is lifted out of the water, the rudder blade may not remain in the water.
Paddlers may become reliant on rudders to steer the kayak and not advance their paddling skills.
When in the stowed position on the back deck, the rudder blade can catch the wind.
Rudder systems add cost to a kayak purchase.

What is a Kayak Skeg?

A skeg is a retractable fin that drops down from a slot in the keel near the stern of the kayak.

The kayaker deploys the skeg by adjusting either a slider or a skeg cord located generally at the edge of the kayak cockpit beside the paddler’s right hip.

Skeg Deployed on a Dagger Stratos Touring Kayak

Dagger Stratos TruTrak Adjustable Skeg System (Raise Position)

Dagger Stratos TruTrak Adjustable Skeg System (Deployed Position)

How is a Kayak Skeg Helpful?

If the wind is blowing from the right side of the kayak and the skeg is not deployed, the bow of the kayak will turn right or into the wind (weathercocking). By partially lowering the skeg, the kayak will track straight and maintain course.

Similarly, if the wind is blowing from the right side of the kayak and the skeg is lowered too deep, pressure on the stern of the kayak will pin it in place and the bow will turn left or downwind (leecocking).

The skeg can be deployed fully, partially deployed or not used at all. The skeg supports tracking and helps trim the kayak when managing varied wind and wave conditions. Playing with skeg depth adjustments offer trim to the kayak and counteracts wind and wave challenges.

Kayak Skeg Pros

Stable foot bracing points (foot pegs or bulkhead foot brace) are not impacted.
Skeg offers increased kayak stability when fully deployed for such things as taking a photos.
Skegs have fewer moving parts that could experience failure.
There are no rear deck cables or rudder components to hamper kayak re-entry.
The skeg fin sits lower in the water, under the stern keel, maintaining increased under water contact in high wave conditions.
The skeg can be partially or fully deployed dependent on wind and wave conditions.
When retracted, there is nothing in the way when loading and securing the kayak for transportation.
In windy conditions the skeg helps anchor the stern to improve tracking.

Kayak Skeg Cons

The skeg box takes up room in the rear hatch limiting gear storage.
The skeg can become jammed by small pebbles or sand.
The skeg opening in the keel can create some drag as compared to a clean hull.
A skeg has less directional corrective abilities than a rudder.

Bottom Line in Choosing a Kayak Rudder vs Skeg

My own preference is to paddle a kayak with a skeg. I’m on the water paddling in a variety of conditions and rely on skills such as edging the kayak and varied paddle stroke adjustments to get me where I need to go.

I love the flexibility of partially deploying the skeg and when I’m stopped out on the water to have a quick snack, taking in the view or snapping a photo, a fully deployed skeg offers that extra stability.

There are definite advantages to both a rudder and a skeg. It often comes down to boat choice and paddler preference. Having a rudder system can be a better option for longer kayaks with less rocker. Rudder failure is rare but can be managed by frequently inspecting the rudder system, knowing how to replace the cable and carrying the necessary tools and replacement parts particularly for long paddling excursions.

Whether you choose a kayak with a rudder system or a skeg, it is a good idea to develop solid skills and paddle without relying on either the rudder or the skeg. This ensures that you’ll be able to confidently paddle your kayak even if a mechanical issue occurs. The goal is to enjoy safe paddling and feel comfortable on the water.

As I’ve mentioned in other blogs, it’s a good idea to spend some time trying out different kayaks. Test out the difference between kayaks with a rudder vs. ones with a skeg. This will ultimately be the best way to help you choose between rudder or skeg.

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