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Rocker and Rudders


wisenber

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A few months ago, I posted a "which Kudzu is best for me" thread. Since then, I've been paddling more open water ocean along with other types of water.  I've paddled in an old Dagger Seeker sea kayak, my Folbot Greenland II and even a Wave Sport crossover. That experience has helped me fine tune my notion of what I'd like in a kayak. I'd like something in the Fast Sea Kayak range or a Sea Kayak that is nearly a FSK. QCC and Epic seem to be the hardshells of choice for such endeavors. Both make rather fast and comparatively stable watercraft with ample storage for longer trips out. In just looking at the lines and measurements, the Long Shot and Firefly look like they are pretty close to what I'd like, but i do have a coupe of questions.

 

 

How much rocker do most of the Kudzu Craft designs have? I don't mean rake or overhang but actual rocker.

 

The reason that I ask is that I've looked at the QCC and Epic designer statements and they both promote a fair amount of rocker with less bow rake or overhang to afford less bobbing in waves and chop. If there is not appreciable rocker, how difficult would it be to modify the keel to have more curve between the center and bow/stern?

 

Also, how difficult would it be to modify the stern to better accept a rudder? I understand that paddling technique and hull design play a significant role in reducing the need for a rudder, but I'm thinking more of 20 knot quartering winds and such.

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

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How much rocker do most of the Kudzu Craft designs have? I don't mean rake or overhang but actual rocker.

 

 

Also, how difficult would it be to modify the stern to better accept a rudder? I understand that paddling technique and hull design play a significant role in reducing the need for a rudder, but I'm thinking more of 20 knot quartering winds and such.

 

 

There is not set rocker, each design is different.  Off the top of my head I don't remember what each boat has but the new Short Shot, Long Shot and Firefly will be closest to what you have in mind.  I am very impressed with the new Short Shot and I am about to start a new boat based of it with some minor changes. 

 

The new design is going to have a retractable skeg. I have been working on this idea off and on for at least two years and finally have it to a where I am happy with the design. I don't like rudders. They just complicate a simple design, but I understand the advantage in certain conditions. That is why I am working on the drop down skeg. 

 

As for changing the design I offer no support for modifications. When you start making changes I have no control or idea of what you will do so I have no idea what the results will be. it is no longer my boat, but a new boat. Your changes could do nothing and it could be deadly, so I have had to adopt a 'you are own your own when you change it" policy.

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How much rocker do most of the Kudzu Craft designs have? I don't mean rake or overhang but actual rocker.

 

 

Also, how difficult would it be to modify the stern to better accept a rudder? I understand that paddling technique and hull design play a significant role in reducing the need for a rudder, but I'm thinking more of 20 knot quartering winds and such.

 

 

There is not set rocker, each design is different.  Off the top of my head I don't remember what each boat has but the new Short Shot, Long Shot and Firefly will be closest to what you have in mind.  I am very impressed with the new Short Shot and I am about to start a new boat based of it with some minor changes. 

 

The new design is going to have a retractable skeg. I have been working on this idea off and on for at least two years and finally have it to a where I am happy with the design. I don't like rudders. They just complicate a simple design, but I understand the advantage in certain conditions. That is why I am working on the drop down skeg. 

 

As for changing the design I offer no support for modifications. When you start making changes I have no control or idea of what you will do so I have no idea what the results will be. it is no longer my boat, but a new boat. Your changes could do nothing and it could be deadly, so I have had to adopt a 'you are own your own when you change it" policy.

 

Jeff,

 

Thanks for your reply. I definitely understand your position on any modifications to your designs. The Long Shot and the Firefly do look like the closest match to what I was mentioning. The jpeg files you use on Kudzucraft.com appear to indicate the amount of rocker, but I cannot make out the numbers on the bow and stern when it is blown up.  Do both of those have 2-3 inches of rocker already? If so, I think it's pretty much what I had in mind rocker wise.

 

I also understand the desire to avoid rudders. That being said, I know that when I was paddling on the Gulf with 20 knot winds, using a rudder to maintain course allowed me to focus on forward strokes rather than corrective strokes or leans. A rudder may reduce speed, but I find corrective strokes and leans to take away more than a rudder. I'm not claiming to be "right" as much as saying that I prefer to focus on a forward stroke and moving forward given a choice. Rudders don't tend to help win any beauty contests, but they do help.

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