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: Hi Dusty,
: Chris has the right of it. For something as light as a kayak, I wouldn't go
: much above 5% balance on the rudder. John's example would give about 16%
: balance, way too light on feel for the size of boat. It would be very
: difficult to keep steady course.
: If you look at dinghy's, you'll see that quite a few have non-balanced
: rudders and, as far as I know, all production kayak-rudders are
: non-balanced.

: Mike Savage
: South West Cork

Hi Mike, I have never sailed with a balanced rudder so I hope I don't have too much area forward of the pivot. If I do I can change it. At the moment my rudder will not be 90 degree virtical but just aft a few degrees. This would give less ballance. Before I change this I think I will try it first.

John

Here is a link to the Water Tribe Rudder that may be of some interest. http://www.watertribe.com/Magazine/Y2006/M01/SteveIsaacWTRudder.aspx