Kayak Rudder Installation Instructions

Putting a rudder on a kayak is not an easy task. It takes a certain amount of aptitude in regards to handling tools and working with hard plastics. A rudder can help steady the course of the kayak in open water where wind and waves bounce a kayak at will. A rudder blade helps steer the kayak straight. Foot pedals steer the kayak, while the paddling gives you speed. The foot pedals connect to the rudder through cables. Pressure applied to the pedal turns the rudder blade either left or right.

Things You'll Need

  • Cordless drill
  • Drill bit set
  • Screwdriver set
  • Rudder kit
  • Crimping tool
  • Wire stripper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mount the plastic slides on the kayak. The holes for the slides are pre-drilled. Install the slides by attaching them to the kayak with the nuts and bolts provided in the rudder kit. Use washers underneath the nuts. Make sure the thread hole for the rudder cable is pointing toward the stern of the kayak.

    • 2

      Go to the back end of the kayak and drill the posthole for the rudder. Use a ½-inch drill bit for boring out the post hole. Install the rudder fitting in the posthole. Insert the holding pin into the clip. The holding pin will keep the rudder fitting in place.

    • 3

      Put a copper stop on the end of the cable and crimp it with pliers. Use an X pattern to crimp successfully. Slide the clevis pin through the rudder. Put a cotter pin through the bottom of the clevis. A clevis has three pieces: clevis, clevis pin and tang. It is U-shaped with holes at the ends where the clevis pin goes. A clevis pin looks like a bolt, but has no partial threading. The cotter pin fits into the hole on the clevis pin to secure the cable onto the rudder.

    • 4

      Drill a ¼-inch hole from the rudder up to the slide assembly at the front of the kayak. Thread the cable from the rudder to the pedals. This can be tricky. Use a piece of wire as a guide to draw the cable through the kayak. Let the cable stick out at both ends of the drilled holes at least 1 inch. Use a disposable lighter to heat up the tip so it expands. Once expanded, the cable won't sink back into the drilled holes on the kayak.

    • 5

      Make a loop at the end of the cable with a crimping tool. Use the X pattern to crimp the end of the wire to itself, creating a loop to attach onto the slide. Secure the loop onto the slide with a screw and screwdriver. Align the cable length by keeping the rudder straight.

    • 6

      Run the cords that move the rudder up and down. Drill screw-size holes into the kayak and attach the plastic glides for the cords. The plastic glides are U-shaped loops with a screw on each side to fasten the glide to the kayak. Slide the cord through the plastic glide and fasten it to the rudder with a slipknot.