My ride 135 already has the control tubing installed and is predrilled for mounting the rudder on the back. I modified some brackets at work to mount the hinge pin into that should hopefully work. Did you use an off center hole in the pulley? Thats how it is on the manufactured one but not sure as to the reason to not be centered.

So here are the new modifications to the plan. Most likely will shorten the rudder since it is probably way to long as is, but I will wait to do that once I have everything mounted. I will still use foot operated turning controls but they will be independent of the current foot rests, most likely above them with some sort of loop to move with my foot. I am most likely going to use what is free to me to make the turning cables, in this case safety tie wire. On the deploy system, I forgot to put the pulley groove into the top of the rudder, so that will need fixing. I am not sure what kind of line I will use for this part, but will have about 2ft of bungee for cushion. I am unsure if it will go for vertical storage or try to get the 270 degree rotation, I will just have to see how it looks once made and attached.

Well i have nothing to do at work today, so i got some work done on this project. I found an old aluminum panel for something and decided to make a new rudder out of it. It should be much lighter than the previous one. I cut out the basic shape with a die grinder with cut off wheel and used a bench grinder and file to clean up the edges and refine the shape. It had some beat up black paint on it so i hit it with a wire wheel. I will paint everything once i am done. It is 17" long and 1/16" thick. Heres the new rudder.

Well i really have nothing to do at work and i had a little aluminum left. So i desided to make the up rights out of aluminum too. I followed the same process as before but also drilled some holes for mounting to the base board and mounting the rudder. Still need to drill some more but i am waiting to do that until i make the rest of the setup. I also bent the mounting part woth a vise and hammer.

Ok Im a Hobie owner so Im really not understanding. If you are always paddling, why would you need a rudder? Just curious........

It lets you steer without having to change you paddling. Usually if you want to turn you eith only paddle on one side or back paddle on the other. This way you can turn without doing that. Also it helps for various other reason. In a strong wind or current it can be hard to go straight the rudder makes it much easier. Also when you are anchored, your rudder will keep you straighter if the wind gusts are making you move around. Or while anchored a turn of your rudder can move your boat slight to either side. If you are drifting without a rudder your kayak tends to turn from the wind, with the rudder you can face the direction you want.

Well i made some pullies out of plastic caps for pipe fittings. They are a little on the small side and not sure if they will hold up to the rope when deploying the rudder. But i will try it and see what happens. If it doesnt work i might try pvc caps or making pulleies from wood. At least i was able to use them to assemble it and drill a few more holes. Heres where i am at now.

Cool!

You're having fun.

Yeah i am. Well i roughed out the base board and test fit everything. So far so good. Hdve a lot of clean up around the edges to do on monday at my work. But here is the basic idea.

what is that wooden bumper on the rear? You planning on playing bumper boats on Fork?


Rudder assembly looks great

I ran out of aluminum so i made the last piece out of wood. Gotta have something to attach to the pivot and hook turning lines too

So once again i was unsatisfied with my wood working skills so i decided to remake the base out of 1/16" aluminum. I used the same process as before. I made it a little smaller than the wooden version as it just seemed way to big the first try. I just have to figure out how i am going to do the controls. Heres what it looks like now.

Looking good.

I did a little more work on my rudder the last 2 days. The main body and rudder assembly are done just have to figure out when I can do the controls around a lot of fishing and eating this long weekend. Since last update I added 2 7/8" shims to the front of the rudder system, I needed these because when I originally made the mounting brackets they were 2" apart for more stability of the rudder since it was going to be made of wood and weight a lot more. I also primer coated everything and painted gloss black. For now My control lines will be removable by removing the screws from the control line attachment points at the rudder base. I will make it easier later but it will have to work for now. Here is the finished assembly.