Van Dusen over-stern rudder on V10L

I got around to installing my Van Dusen over-stern kick-up rudder this weekend on to my Epic V10L. This is really a slick unit - simple, clean, and elegant. Installation basically requires the cutting of a slot in the stern of the boat, and epoxying the blade on the hinge in place. A long screw/hinge pin can be removed if the over-stern rudder isn't needed, leaving only a small part of the hinge sticking out of stern. For connection to my rudder cables, I removed the rudder assembly cap and tied directly to the cables. I may improve the appearance later by installing some tubing in the hull to keep the cables hidden (and allow me to replace the cap). In trials on my pond I noticed the over-stern rudder didn't track quite as well as the under-stern, but it responded well and seemed to turn every bit as tightly as before. This is a good option for those of us using waterways full of obstacles.

The first picture is from Van Dusen of the rudder assembly; the following pictures will be of the installed rudder assembly on my boat.

Installed on my ski.

One more photo.

Looks great! Nice job on the installation.

Thanks! I think over the next few days I'll probably change to some better line (if I can find some stainless braided cable or Spectra) and retrofit the understern rudder steering bracket to allow convenient switching between rudders(There's a race coming up on Lake Michigan where I may want the understern rudder).

I took it out on a couple of linked lakes yesterday while we had some very stout winds (15 - 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph). With the cables tightened up a bit this rudder worked quite well, especially through the weedy channels, and seemed to work fine running down wind or upwind in the 1 ft chop, but I missed the authority of the understern rudders when turning around or running cross-wind. It was kind of fun hearing the "clunk" of the rudder as a patch of weeds would cause it to rise up and release.

How's the kick-up rudder working out for you over the past six months? Been thinking about going a similar route for weed/shallow water reasons when I do flatwater races.

Actually, I haven't had the boat out since November - all of our rivers have been frozen over for the last three months or so. I did have the V10L out for a few paddles at the end of November in Florida and North Carolina, but I had the understern rudder installed for deeper water use. I also had the understern weedless rudder on the boat for my last race of the season at the end of September (also deeper water). I'll start using it again in a couple of months as things warm up and weeds start to grow again.

I also retrofitted my wife's Think Fit with one of these rudders, and it looks great - like a factory installation. It was very easy with the Fit; the factory provided the extra Spectra line and pre-installed cable routing tubing! I took the Fit out for an 8-mile New Year's Day paddle with our group on a river about an hour and a half North that wasn't frozen. The rudder worked quite well on the Fit, and probably saved the boat from damage going over an underwater log or two.

I still prefer the responsiveness of the understern rudder when I don't have to worry about hitting something, but I'll probably race much of the season with the Van Dusen rudder due to the underwater hazards in many of our local rivers.