Rudder system a must-have for an Ocean Kayak Trident 13?

I wonder, for an OC Trident 13, how important is a rudder system. 

I have never owned a Trident, and am considering buying a used one.  Unfortunately, it does not come with rudder or anchor pulley.  I'll definitely need to install an anchor pulley, and I would think a rudder system would also be good-to-have, or even must-have, for use in the Monterey Bay?

Any thoughts or advice from Trident users would be greatly appreciated. 

It's really all personal preference. Some paddlers swear by their rudder system and others could take it or leave it. I have a wide, non-nimble kayak so I really appreciate the control that a rudder provides especially in windy conditions. A Trident is a much more agile kayak though so it might not really be necessary.

You can always buy a rudder kit and install/have it installed if you get the Trident and feel that you need a rudder after paddling it.

I use a trident 13 without a rudder and prefer not to have one on it myself. If you know how to paddle correctly you can account for wind drift without much issue. I prefer my feet to be stable than on a rudder control that moves. It handles perfectly fine in surf launches and in the ocean so it's just a preference I believe.

I had a Prowler13 and I never felt the need for a rudder.  It's personal preference, and as with most things kayak related, better to ask someone if you can try theirs first.  I'm sure someone will let you take a trident for a spin.

Anchoring in the Ocean isn't advisable. As for a rudder in Monterey Bay, you might want to consider that you'll have to pull up the rudder when fishing kelp paddies.  It's a preference more than a necessity.
 

I went my first year without a rudder on the kraken.  After I installed one and learned how to use it, my paddling confidence and control, in most situations, was improved tremendously.  Yes, the trident, should track well without one, but with one, the fine tuning of direction and correction make it a welcome accessory and useful tool.  I have spent many days in wind and I know how brutal it can be without a rudder.  Using it becomes intuitive and I feel that the kayak is more part of me with a rudder...just 2 cents for what it's worth...  

I have a Trident 13 without a rudder and a Kraken 13.5 with a rudder and i enjoy both as is, though each have pro's and con's.
Trident is lighter and can easily be controlled without a rudder but like others have said, it is a plus to have a rudder.
Kraken is heavier and i love using because of the rudder and would not want it without a rudder.

Thanks for the feedback and comments.  Really appreciate it! 

I mainly go spearfishing in kelp beds when I use a kayak, so it gets me thinking whether I might actually be better off without one dragging through the kelp.  It certainly did not occur to me as a potential minus. 

Again, thanks y'all! 

Search for "kelp anchor" instead of a regular anchor.

I have a Trident 13. After a year I installed a rudder.

I found that when the wind would pick up and blow at my back it constantly wanted to turn sideways.

I live in Alameda and mostly fish in the bay near the rock wall. The prevailing wind is usually at my back when I head in.  I’ve had some very long paddles because the wind came up and was constantly turning the boat sideways.

I was very happy once I installed the rudder and haven’t had any issues since.

If you fish an area without much wind, you probably don’t need it.

You definitely have to take care not to damage the rudder while landing, loading and storing the kayak.

If your going to have the family use the kayak for recreation, swimming, goofing around, you probably don’t want it as it will get damaged. 

If you are going to have family or kids playing with it you can leave it stowed up and out of the way. It shouldn’t get damaged that way.

From Kayak Angler Mag:

Do I need a rudder? Seems like a simple question. But the answer involves engineering, ergonomics, mechanics and philosophy. Ask 10 anglers and you’ll get 10 answers.

Why You Need A Rudder, And Why You Don’t

"We went to two gurus—pro angler Rob Choi and kayak designer Bob McDonough—for the final answer to the first question paddle anglers ask.

Bob McDonough is lead designer at Johnson Outdoors. His name is on some of the most popular kayaks on the water. When we asked if he uses a rudder, McDonough said, “Since I’m in so many kayaks, I’m all over the board.” When it comes to fishing kayaks, McDonough prefers a rudder “100 percent.”

A rudder improves tracking and slow-speed turning. “Something especially benefiting kayak anglers,” he says.

McDonough uses hanging rudders on his boats. “The rudder extends deeper into the water so it continues to turn the boat in rough conditions.”


A hanging rudder can be lifted out of the way. “Lifting and lowering the rudder can be awkward,” McDonough admits. He looks for a rudder with enough surface area to turn the kayak without being too large and increasing drag when down and wind resistance when up. One advantage of the integrated rudder, which is tucked under the stern, is it improves tracking when it isn’t turned. Integrated rudders are most common on pedal kayaks.

When purchasing a pedal kayak, consider how you will use the boat. The wide, rudder improves handling compared to a hanging rudder. Tucked under the stern, the integrated rudder will also draw less water. However, this type of rudder cannot be retracted in shallow water making it more susceptible to rocks.

I can paddle straight without having to make correctional strokes

For Johnson Outdoors pro Rob Choi, installing a rudder on his kayak was more a philosophical decision.

On one hand, a rudder will improve turning and tracking. On the other hand, the rudder increases wind resistance and drag. Choi considered the abuse his kayak takes forging through the surf, traversing shallow water and fishing in heavy structure. Some environments are too rough for a rudder.


“Paddlers who have never used a rudder will notice some drag,” Choi admits, but feels the advantages outweigh any effect on performance. “I can paddle straight without having to make correctional strokes” Choi says, which saves energy and time, especially when he’s covering long distance.

Traveling across open water with opposing current and wind will cause a kayak to veer off course or spin. Add weight, like camping gear, a livewell full of water or a hold filled with fish and the problem can be worse. “I don’t want to fight the kayak,” Choi says. Angling the rudder helps the kayak travel straight. Choi adds, “I can save my energy for paddling forward.”


Rudders help when fishing tight places, too. “When I’m casting or jigging, I can change the direction of my drift or turn my boat in the current,” he adds.
Wrap up

Choi wraps it up like this: A rudder will improve handling at the expense of little speed.

In the raised position, the rudder acts like a sail catching the wind and slowing or turning the boat. In the down position, the blade presents slightly more drag slowing the kayak. If you fish in rocky rivers or spend a lot of time launching through the surf, a rudder may not last long.

Remembering to lift the rudder before hitting bottom is a minor inconvenience, which could be a big deal if you’re into kayak fishing for the simplicity. Paddle long distances with a heavily loaded kayak, a rudder will save time and energy. Even compact kayaks used for short distances and tight quarters can be aided by a rudder.

So, do you need a rudder? Well, it’s up to you. We tried to steer you straight."

It's funny, when I was learning sea kayaking it was  a mark of skill to not use a rudder and rely on paddle technique to steer. It was in the Bay, so ya got to be snobbish about something right?

Later when I had matured and paddled a variety of boats I found:

For downwind runs in a following sea they are very nice, and for long flatwater runs too.
For surf and rock garden stuff they just get damaged.
I also found it depends on the kayak. Certain boats just work best with a rudder, and on some they just get in the way or are just too "fiddly" to deal with.
To each their own, and for the record I'm no longer a "no rudder" snob

I have owned a trident 13 and yes it did track pretty straight and I'm not a good paddler.  But I notice that I do have to make constant direction corrections.  So I would have liked to see if a rudder would help.  But its fairly easy to add it afterwards.  If you can get in installed from the factory it might be a little cheaper than an aftermarket.

No