Do it Yourself Kayak Rudder

A kayak rudder is an oblong piece of wood or plexiglass that is attached to the rear of a kayak and deployed using a system of cables and foot pedals. The rudder is used to assist the paddler in keeping a straight course during high winds or waves. A rudder is not necessary for paddling, and many kayaks are manufactured without them; they can, however, be added to the kayak as an aftermarket addition.

  1. Rudder Kits

    • There is inherent room for error in drilling holes in the hull of a kayak; if done improperly, you run the risk of ruining the kayak. The easiest and most foolproof way to attach a rudder is to use a rudder kit, which will provide all materials and step-by-step instructions for attachment. This option is generally only suitable with kayaks that are designed for rudder addition, because the rudder bracket is shaped specifically for the hull; stores like Cornwall Canoes offer rudders for a variety of kayak models.

    Carbon Rudders

    • If your kayak is not designed to fit an aftermarket rudder kit, you can opt for a carbon rudder holder. While a traditional bracket would require significant modification to the hull, the carbon rudder forms to the outside of the boat and fastens will small screws; this option is considerably less intrusive and less risky. One Ocean Kayaks offers a selection of carbon rudders that can be modified to fit most plastic and composite kayaks.

    Hand-Crafted Rudders

    • If you'd prefer to make your own rudder, you will need plexiglass or plywood, a sander, and a hand-held saw capable of cutting small curves. The rudder should generally be no more than 5 inches wide, and the length will depend on your boat's waterline; about 6 to 8 inches of the rudder should be under water when it is deployed. Once you have designed and cut out the rudder shape, you will need to sand the edge so that the submerged end has little resistance as it glides through the water. If you are using plywood, you will need to finish the rudder with a coating of fiberglass.

    Rudder Controls

    • A kayak rudder is usually controlled by a set of foot pedals and a cord that releases the folded rudder from its casing on top of the boat. When attaching a rudder to your kayak, you will need to install the foot pedal and cable system. The foot pedals generally replace existing foot pegs, and will need to be bolted to the inside of the hull; the cables run through the inside of the boat and require a cable port near the end of the kayak. Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply offers foot pedal and cable kits as well as installation instructions.