Wild Wasser Wing Rudder

Balanced Wing Rudder – A major advancement in the dynamics and efficiency in boat control. The wing shape of the rudder blade slices through the water with the minimum of drag, while the glass re-enforced construction ensures stiffness and absolute durability. A balanced pivot point (behind the leading edge of the rudder blade) reduces the foot pedal pressure required, eliminates the common breaking effect and maximises turning force with the minimum drag. A large deployment wheel means raising and lowering the rudder is smoother and easier, together with high quality corrosion resistant moving parts and a simple adjustable control line system makes the Wing Rudder a pleasure to use and set up.

So what about Rudders, aren’t they the same as Skegs?

Much has been promoted about the merits of drop skegs versus rudders in touring kayaks. Drop skegs add more keel shape to aid tracking. Also they work to repair the nature of certain boats ‘weather helm’ in wind and current by moving the boats ‘centre of lateral resistance’. Rudders perform these tasks as well.

However it is the directional adjustment provided by rudders which brings greater efficiency to open water paddling, and drives the fact that nearly all other types of boats use rudders for steering control. Prijon kayaks can be paddled, with great results, without a rudder or skeg. They are shaped to track well, and to carve crisply by putting them on edge. Carving these boats causes the boat to act as a very large foil, much the same as a rudder works on its own.

Skegged kayaks must be controlled in a similar way. Still, when wind and current compound, the difference in being able to use a rudder and get to your destination or home using balanced paddle strokes rather than needing a static hip twist and persistant adjusting strokes (required with or without a skeg) makes a tremendous difference in efficiency.

With one of our rudders, when you decide ‘I want to go there’ set your sights, one of your toes and off you go. If you desire you can simultaneously carve as well. The turning effect is then even more powerful.

Our new Balanced Wing Rudder is so well tuned that it will not slow you down as some rudders can, you can paddle with greater ease and you may actually go faster!