Thanks Duane, exactly the sort of info I was looking for. Not sure I will ever build one but I do want to design one.

If I did build done it would be to use with a newbie paddler and introduce them to the sport. I live inland and big waves mean really bad weather, the kind you are not out on the lake in on purpose. Well smart people that is, so the excludes me. My favorite place to take new people are some of our sheltered creeks which get narrow towards the end. So a rudder would be a great thing in tighter quarters I would think.

Thanks again, just the info I needed.