Recently, I received a Harmony Rudder Kit with the blade tracking system for my Wilderness Commander 140. It’s just what this substantial kayak needed. The Commander 140 measures 14 feet long, 30.5 inches wide and 77 pounds, and I now have much better control and maneuverability when on the water.
It’s been a great kayak so far, and we have had some good times with it already. Just a few recent trips: Overnight camping trip on a spoil island (loading it to the top with food, water, tent, etc.); Keys lobster trip (it’s weight capacity of 475 pounds allowed my wife, her mom, and myself to load up and hit a lobster reef); and of course, some local dynamite fishing trips.
The thing I like about it the most is its stability. It has allowed me to stand up and paddle with ease, sight fish, and fight some bigger fish while keeping my balance.
Back to the rudder, it’s one of the best additions I think you can give this kayak. In calm water, it took time and space to make a 180-degree turn. Forget about trying to do that 180 in rough water. Installing the foot controlled rudder allows the turn to be done in about half the time. Plus, when drift fishing in the current, it’s been a tremendous help, keeping you pointed in the direction you want to cast.
So on to some particulars of what it took to install:
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- All the necessary pieces to install a rudder kit.
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- Start by installing the rudder brace. Use an Allen wrench to screw in the pre-threaded holes.
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- Next, slide the rudder into the rudder brace.
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- Yes, you have to drill a few holes, but Wilderness makes it easy by already molding where you need to drill.
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- Screw in the rudder line hardware into the holes you made.
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- Run the rudder line through the hardware just installed, making a knot in each handle to hold in place. Make sure there is no slack in the line.
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- Cut the tag ends and burn the endings to leave a clean look.
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- Another easy task is running the cable to the pre-run plastic tubing.
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- Connect the endings and crimp in place.
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- The cable slides through to the front where your feet go.
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- Take your endings, pin in place and secure with pins to the rudder.
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- Don’t forget to put some heat shrink and 2 crimpers on the line before you make your loop in the cable through the foot rudder.
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- Your cable should look something like this once run through the foot brace and crimped.
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- Crimp everything in place, run the heat shrink over connections and singe until it shrinks.
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- The back end should look something like this when complete.
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- A bungee helps secure the rudder when transporting.
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- Raises and lowers without a hitch, and looks pretty darn good too.
All in all, it was a great decision to install a rudder. It helps drift fishing, tracking on windy days or fast currents, and helps steer while being towed by a big fish. Give it consideration if you have come across any of the same problems I’ve had in the past!
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