Stealth Fisha Fixed Rudder Questions

Hello to all that may own a Stealth Fisha Kayak. Ive got one on order
and the fixed rudder will be a new thing to get used too and deal with for me. I hoping to get some insight regarding the rudder in surf launch and landings. Do you find it necessary to lift the boat via the drag handle to avoid the rudder being buried in the sand during that critical moment to dash onboard and make it out unscathed.
Conversely when landing Im used to grabbing the bow handle upon exit
and dragging the boat to dry sand...the fixed rudder will dig in which might make it harder to clear the incoming water. Im curious about how you all might deal with it and if you’ve suffered any damage to the rudder in those circumstances.
Also, what’s your experience dealing with kelp crossings. The rudder looks like it will resist snagging but in reality could be quite different.
Im psyched to be getting one regardless of any changes I need to adopt
and would I really appreciate any feedback and info on other
issues you’ve found to be a challenge. Much thanks for your thoughts.

I also have one on order. A profisha. I can't help much but there is a ton of good info on YouTube. If you're willing to go down that rabbit hole. Just check out the boys in Australia and South Africa. Capt. Gingerbeard and Uncle Baggy how some interesting vids. One of them goes over a custom modified rudder I think. Also just search this forum. A lot of good info in the Stealth thread. The rudder definitely seems like it can handle a beating and an easy fix. But I'm just guessing

Thanks for the suggested search ideas. Congrats on getting one I can hardly wait but my last kayak purchase was in 2005 so patience should be pretty easy at this point

Ive seen several vids and not much mention of troubles and more comments on the rudders taking some abuse well.
 
We’ll both find out soon enough if you do surf launching that is. Best of luck with and enjoy your new ride

Thanks again I found the Uncle Baggy vids you clued me into. Great info and tips overall. Im waiting on a Fisha 500 Hybrid and do 99% surf launch. Those videos answered a bunch of things Ive been wondering about and more.
I plan to ease into any mods and just settle into the whole thing but the Keeleasy tips would be priority for me at the moment. This will be my first glass/gelcoat boat to maintain. Im so frigin excited to be getting one.

 
I like his videos a lot. I found myself wanting to replicate his terms and pronunciation, such as:

“fishing ski”
“koi-ak”
“foive mater”

. Im so frigin excited to be getting one.

Yeah I'm super stoked. The wait is killing me. I was thinking id put Keeleasy on too. Still haven't decided if I should go with a seat. Wonder if anyone has input on that

Thats too funny- After a mini binge watch of his vids my wife was busting me on sounding like a Faux-Aussie. I have to admit there’s something about those guys that make stuff sound cooler somehow.
He seems like a great guy whatever accent. Im going reference and subscribe to his posts for when I have my boat (Im not used to calling it a Ski even if more accurate
Great overall info.

. Im so frigin excited to be getting one.

Yeah I'm super stoked. The wait is killing me. I was thinking id put Keeleasy on too. Still haven't decided if I should go with a seat. Wonder if anyone has input on that

Same here... keeleasy looks clean and durable besides I’ll have a reason to get a heat gun
As for a seat I suffer from B.A.D. (Boney Arse Disorder) so....
NRS sells a adhesive seat pad that I might try instead of a more cushy/bully tight seat...I might do the pad and a lumbar support to keep things minimal. A small zipper pouch on it would be enough for some extras.

I have always liked the Seaire cushions with some strong velcro works great as well but too much cushion messes with center of gravity and connection to the kayak...I’d say thinner is better as long as its effective but its very subjective to personal needs.

     I have a roll of  Keel Easy,,,     I can offer it for 2.50/ft.     It's white, but can be painted any color using Krylon Fusion spray paint.     
   PM me if interested. 

What do you think about gator patch? Which do you think is better Baitman?

If you drag the rudder too hard through the sand the control cables can get pulled out of whack, but it's simple to fix, by popping off the pedals, realigning the rudder, and re-tensioning the cables. Takes a couple of minutes.

My rudder has some dings and it works fine, but you can put some Keeleze or similar on it. For the hull, the first 6-8 inches of my bow are scratched up, again, you can put tape on it. No need to put a lot on.

When landing I grab both the drag handle and the handle on the side of the cockpit. I can carry it out of the water and pretty far up the beach without touching the sand because the hull is relatively light. You want to make sure the boat is on its side so the rudder isn't grabbing the sand. Gelcoat is fairly durable, but you'll get scratches if you drag it around much. I use a cart, but even with the lighter hull weight you can get bogged down easily in softer sand, so balloon wheels are the ticket.

FYI I've seen some guys on Youtube grab the stern handle instead and push the yak out of the surf. https://youtu.be/voE2DKh7mwI?t=86
Seems pretty easy if there's a couple inches of wash and the sand is soft. Also looks like a safer method since your boat is in front of you. But you won't get far up the beach this way, you'll still have to use the drag/side handles.

I wouldn't recommend taking a shortcut though a kelp bed. I've paddled over kelp in my 500 and it isn't easy. I haven't gotten stuck, but it's very slow going and I'm a strong paddler. If you're fishing kelp edges, the hull is very slick so it can ride onto the kelp because of wind or current, but the rudder kind of stops you from getting pushed too far onto it.

Hello to all that may own a Stealth Fisha Kayak. Ive got one on order
and the fixed rudder will be a new thing to get used too and deal with for me. I hoping to get some insight regarding the rudder in surf launch and landings. Do you find it necessary to lift the boat via the drag handle to avoid the rudder being buried in the sand during that critical moment to dash onboard and make it out unscathed.
Conversely when landing Im used to grabbing the bow handle upon exit
and dragging the boat to dry sand...the fixed rudder will dig in which might make it harder to clear the incoming water. Im curious about how you all might deal with it and if you’ve suffered any damage to the rudder in those circumstances.
Also, what’s your experience dealing with kelp crossings. The rudder looks like it will resist snagging but in reality could be quite different.
Im psyched to be getting one regardless of any changes I need to adopt
and would I really appreciate any feedback and info on other
issues you’ve found to be a challenge. Much thanks for your thoughts.

What do you think about gator patch? Which do you think is better Baitman?

  No experience with that..  sorry

    Superfly just made me aware of the Kelp issue...     I was about to get on board with one of these beauties myself.   
   

What do you think about gator patch? Which do you think is better Baitman?

Here is a thread about Gator Patch:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=89069.0

Hey there Superfly-
Thanks for your reply and video link. All makes sense and I dig the idea about grabbing the stern and pushing the boat up out of of the surf as an option to try. As far as kelp crossing I figured it will be a challenge and tend to avoid large beds generally but there a some areas I paddle where crossing kelp is the only route. I’ll learn to deal with that as it happens and hopefully the weed guard will help avoid any getting wedged in between the rudder and hull but that seems unlikely anyway being set with a very small gap anyway.
I appreciate your rundown as Im overthinking what it will be like to some degree. I’ll deal with it and get used to the rudder on and off the water. I plan to keep a spare rudder on hand in the event of any real damage but it sounds like thats not a big issue as they are made well enough to handle taking some hits. Thanks again

Disclaimer: I apologize up front for asking this next question but in the spirit of curiosity alone here it comes.....

Has anyone ever removed the rudder altogether? not necessarily as a permanent thing but just as a test to see the behavior of the boat or perhaps as rare occasion where you might want to eliminate it for the day such as stoney launch sites or again large kelp beds that are tough to avoid or even targeted to fish within.
 
Again I dont mean to spur all the consequences that would be invited by doing such a thing but Im curious since the rudder design
does invite some constant attention or care.
Please go easy on me as Im just wondering since kayak fisherman tend to try just about anything to help get on the spots they like to fish and simply have little fear about trying something unconventional. Thats really half the fun of how we enjoy the sport in general.

Anyway...if anything here is worth your time to reply then thanks.
Who knows maybe I’ll be the first and last one to try the idea maybe.