Rudder?

Now that I've decided on the T13 does it need a rudder? Have you been on the water wishing you'd spent the extra $225? I did read this thread - http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=22425.0
Anybody else willing to chime in?

IMO it all comes down to intended use. If flat water lake and river fishing is you thing then you probably aren't going to miss having a rudder. If you plan to paddle big lakes, delta, or ocean than I would say spend the bucks and do the rudder. Dispite popular belief the true purpose of the rudder it to compensate for wind and following seas. Without a rudder in these conditions you will find yourself constantly bring pushed sideways and having to compensate by stroking hard on one side. Again only you can decide what you intend to do with your kayak and if the rudders worth the bucks. I've been going back in forth about adding a rudder to my Necky Dolphin and have decided I would rather keep it rudderless for know. Main factors for me were 1. It seemed to handle big winds well. 2. I hate having a rudder when loading and unloading 3. I like to paddle the river and find the rudder gets banged around to much. 4. I hate mushy foot pegs. (which can be fixed using gas pedal style footbraces.)

If you are going to paddle only on bluebird windless days you don't need one.
I have a T-13 and a rudder was one of the first additions.  If you are out and have to paddle cross wind pray your strong arm is on the down wind side. Paddling a mile or two with one arm is a drag.

I have a trident 15 and my son paddles a 13.  After a trip getting hit with a crosswind that weathercocked us so badly that even one sided paddling couldnt keep us straight, I put rudders on both.  I opted for the gas peddle style controls (sea dog footbraces)

love them, and great for trolling

Yup voices of experience talking above.  I concur, if it is to be your primary yak and you plan on big waters.

Allen

I'm new to the yak fishing and yaks but went with a rudder based on my desire to fish the delta, large lakes and deal with wind.  I'm quite happy I went ahead with the rudder even though I initially questioned the need based on the cost.  It has been worth all the pennies, especially while trolling.