OK 13 DIY Rudder

Building a rudder for an Ocean Kayak Trident 13.  Borrowed a friends rudder (OK 13) and made templates from cardboard.  Transferred templates to Aluminium sheet.  Question is, has anyone made their own rudder before?  Can't seem to part with $200 when I can easily make one.  Thinking about vacuum bagging a carbon fiber rudder blade too.  I have the shop/tools and fabricating experience just wanted tips or opinion if anyone has made their own rudder.  -Matt

Matt, you might be on your own on this one! I do not see too many rudders on yaks OTW probably the added cost. If you can manufacture for half I am sure you'd find a market. Most think they don't need one, but they have also never used one. I love mine for paddling in high winds and trolling, I can never go w/o, well at least until you finish using mine as a template anyway! Rob

Lets try it on Bowman in the spring.

I have not made a rudder myself, although it is definitely something I am interested in doing one of these days. I just need to find someone with an OK rudder that they will allow me to take apart. If you ever get the templates drawn electronically, I would love a copy.

I was thinking of cutting all the pieces out of aluminum, but without all the fancy slots cut out. Are all the pieces make of aluminum? And what gauge are they? Are any pieces made of plastic? I plan to use 0.25" tubing from a drip system to house the rudder cables. The only assemblies that I would have to buy are the rudder tracks. Surely this should cost less than $200.



This is where I got the idea: http://www.wix.com/mobykraft/website#!kayaks-&-canoes. Note that his original aluminum rudder was too thin, and he suggests making one out of fiberglass. Carbon fiber would work too.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

There seems to be a bit of DIY/homemade rudders on youtube.  You should be able to build them for a cheaper price then retail.

Matt,

I assume you saw this one..

http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/phpBB/topic20151.html

the retractable part is missing, would be a bummer in kelp not to bea able to pull it up

I'd be afraid of damaging or breaking a carbon fiber rudder.
I've hit mine on rocks pretty good before

Thanks for the info...keep it coming.  Did some measuring and horizontal part of the stock rudder is about 3/16" thick and the rest is 1/8" thick.  Bought some material from Blue Collar Supply in Sac.  Going to use all 1/8" thick.  Tricky part is going to be welding the pieces together.  I would need to set up the wire feed with shielding gas and switch to aluminum wire.  Another option would be using the heat and melt stuff kinda like soldering but not sure of the strength of the weld.  As for the slots in the stock rudder i am going to just drill a bunch of holes instead.  Going to make a few at one time...think its easier that way.  -Matt

If you are going to weld the aluminum, I would highly recommend doing so with a TIG.
Wire feed will work, but keeping 1/8" aluminum sheet from warping will be your toughest battle. 
The TIG will allow for better heat control. 

Another option would be using the heat and melt stuff kinda like soldering but not sure of the strength of the weld.

Matt, brazing is a PITA if you have to do more than one braze between two pieces of metal. After you get the first braze done, when you try to heat the metal hot enough for the second braze, your first braze would come undone. It is possible for some situations, but definitely not easy.
The strength of the braze is quite strong, more than enough for a rudder setup.

ernest

I've done plenty of MIG and ARC welding so TIG may be the way to go.   First i need to cut everything out and sand down smooth.

Is the thickness of the rudder blade only 1/8"? Will that be strong enough, or will that bend if you have a bad landing?

Let us know how the welding goes. From your picture it looks like you are cutting out parts for 4 rudders? Can I call dibs for one of them?

Be sure to get a turtle blade for your jig cuts Bosch are good. Probably going to get a fair amount of vibration too with that thickness so you may want a plywood backing . I've got a scrap sheet if you want it

Be sure to get a turtle blade for your jig cuts Bosch are good. Probably going to get a fair amount of vibration too with that thickness so you may want a plywood backing . I've got a scrap sheet if you want it

Or find a friend with a plasma cutter.  You can cut it quicker with better accuracy, no chatter, and it won't warp if you move fast enough.