: I'm interested in buildling a strip built kayak - probably a Guillemot. I
: didn't put a rudder on my Chesapeake 17, which I regret. I want one on my
: next kayak. I could buy a commercially built one and install it, but I'm
: intrigued with the idea of building one - I especially like the idea of
: having the blade be strips to match the boat. Does anyone have any ideas,
: advice, etc? Thanks.

I cheated on my S&G and brought a commercial rudder then changed the blade. The aluminum blade supplied was to wide and acted like a sail, so I made a high aspect blade from ply. With a Stripper it would be easy enough to strip a "board" first then cut out the rudder.

There is 3x layers of 6 oz glass on this one for strength. My main problem was the wooden rudder block which the blade kept chipping despite layers of glass on it. I solved this by using a PVC insert which took the shock of the rudder coming down onto the deck.

BTW the pic is from a web page on building a wooden blade that I'm 1/2 way through writing for a builidng site. I'm away camping / paddling for a week but if you want email me a reminder, and I'll send you the link when completed in 2 weeks time.

Cheers
Grant